Pack your bags and go, and come back safely!

The news of the discovery of the body of the young person who went missing 7 days earlier while trekking the Ta Nang - Phan Dung route cast a somber shadow over the morning. I had been waiting and hoping for a miracle, but it didn't happen. I don't know why he got lost, nor what preparations he made for the trip—from his health, equipment, food, water, to his wilderness survival skills—so I have no comment. I only offer my condolences to his family and pray that he rests in peace. But I still wanted to write a few words for the young people, or those with youthful spirits, in my friend lists. Maybe it will be helpful.

Once, a friend of mine had a motorcycle accident on the highway. It was minor, just scrapes and bleeding. That day, many people rushed to help. They were surprised to see us pull out tools from our backpacks like cotton swabs, gauze, antiseptic alcohol, knives, forceps, scissors, etc., to treat the wound and carefully bandage it. Watching us, the onlookers didn't know who we were. Some even concluded we were... doctors. They didn't know we were on our way back and had just regained phone signal after a grueling trek through the jungle for over half a month.

Then, on another occasion, a young person asked me to help with a sampling trip for a research project they were working on. When we arrived in the field, I discovered that they had prepared for the trip with only the belief and enthusiasm of youth. I was extremely disappointed that day. Fortunately, the trip was short, and I had also prepared myself.

Life is more important than any petty pride!

It's true that young people should travel, be a little crazy, a little wild, a little impulsive, and experiences are always worthwhile. But don't trifle with death. Your life is the most precious thing you have, something your parents would trade everything to save. I told those two stories to say that no one can foresee all risks. Preparation for trips is essential.

So what do you need to prepare? Many experienced trekkers have written very thorough articles that you can read. If you need guidance from them, I believe you will receive thoughtful advice. Be willing to listen and learn.Living is more important than any petty pride..

Health

Plan your trip itinerary in advance and consider your health. If you're not fit enough, you should train for another opportunity.

Go in a group

Hiking in the forest or wilderness is always fraught with risks. It's essential to go in a group for mutual support. The group should consist of at least three people, including someone with experience. There are many reasons why it should be three, and I won't elaborate here; I just want to highlight one example: if something unexpected happens, make sure there are at least two people to carry you.

Travel in groups of at least 3 people.

Always adhere to discipline and absolutely do not separate from the group without permission. If for any reason you must inform everyone, you must do so.

Clothing, food, and drinks

Remember this first and most important thing: Whenever you set down your backpack, it must contain enough supplies to help you survive for three days.

Skin:Lightweight, loose-fitting, and durable clothing, shoes, and socks are essential. Pack your clothes in separate plastic bags for easy changing and to protect against rain. Remember, the material of your clothing must be durable. Don't skimp on things that will help you survive. Don't forget warm clothing. The temperature in the jungle drops rapidly in the evening. The day-night temperature fluctuates greatly. And don't forget a raincoat!

An example of trekking gear.

Food:For longer trips, you can bring rice and other food items. You can transport and gather these items at designated locations or hire porters. Keep food in your backpack to sustain you until you reach a rest stop. For convenience, you can pack dry rations. Ideally, choose lightweight items that provide a high and immediate energy boost, such as chocolate or KitKat bars.

Drinking water:The key to success when hiking or climbing is to drink less water. This saves water and reduces fatigue. The more you drink, the more tired you'll become. Drinking excessively will only lead to giving up.

Items:

Tents:You can choose based on price and quality depending on the nature of your trip or how often you will need to use it.

Knife:A hunting knife is used for clearing paths, cutting trees, and gathering firewood. The knife must have a strap and sheath for safety. It's too risky to fall with a sharp knife in your hand.

FireFire is always essential. It helps you cook, keep warm, scare away animals, signal for help… Don't learn how to start a fire from those book writers. Prepare two good quality lighters. My experience is that you should buy Bic gas lighters. I trust this brand because of its ignition quality and durability. They cost 15,000 VND each. In Quy Nhon, you can find them at the Vinh Thuy shop near the border guard barracks.

Flashlight:Prepare a good quality flashlight, preferably one with removable batteries rather than rechargeable ones, as there's no electricity in the wilderness. Buy some spare batteries. The best flashlight light is yellow, as this type of light illuminates the path better than white light, especially in the rain. If you can't find a flashlight with yellow light, prepare a piece of clear yellow nylon to create the desired light.

Stick:A walking stick can be very important when you're moving around or surveying a situation. It can be a specialized walking stick, or you can cut down a tree to make one. Note that it shouldn't be sharpened to a point; that could be dangerous if you slip or fall.

MedicineMedicine, bandages, antiseptic, first aid supplies for injuries, insect repellent, etc.

Some things to keep in mind when going into the forest.

- Everyone must carry their own backpack and belongings; do not ask others to carry them for you. Keeping your backpack safe is protecting your own life.

- Walk in a line and maintain a distance where you can see each other. Actually, this doesn't need mentioning because the paths in the forest don't have many lanes.

- Walk at a moderate pace, neither too fast nor too slow, distributing your energy well.

- Do not play around or attempt to take photos in dangerous places such as cliffs or waterfalls.

- Do not sit and rest by the stream when the sky is overcast, especially in the afternoon. In the forest, there are often localized rains and flash floods that rise very quickly.

- When it rains heavily, put on a raincoat and try to get to an open area. Otherwise, it's better to get wet than to take shelter under a large tree. You could be hit by lightning or falling branches at any moment.

- Note that when cooking, heating, or signaling, finely chopped fresh firewood is easier to ignite than dry, waterlogged wood.

What to do if you get lost:

- Don't lose heart. In fact, panic will kill you faster than hunger, thirst, or other reasons.

- Set up camp right where you get lost so that others can easily find you. The more you try to find your way, the more lost you become, and the further you get from reuniting with your companions.

Currently, there are quite a few tech gadgets and apps available to aid survival while trekking.

Be confident because your backpack contains all the self-defense gear and necessities to help you survive for three days. Use them sparingly and wisely. Three days, and everything can be resolved. Your backpack is your lifeline.

There's much more, but that's enough for now; it's getting too long. The points above are the basic ones, summarized from personal experience and learned lessons. These experiences have helped me navigate many forest trails. And because they are personal experiences, they may not be the same as others' or the best methods!

Pack your bags and go, but make sure you get there and back!

Tran Phan

The Thanh