TREKKING • Getting started • Skills & techniques • Fitness • Food & nutrition • Equipment overview • Trek preparation • Gear check list • Camping • Navigation • Safety & first aid • Further reading

TREKKING
Skills & techniques

Getting into a rhythm

Remember when you first learnt to drive? Your coordination was all over the place right? but with a little bit of practise everything started to become second nature and you learnt to operate the vehicle smoothly and efficiently. Trekking is pretty much the same. Here are a few points to remember that will help you to develop a rhythm:

• Think of your body as a kind of a vehicle. You will need to tune it, modify it, and fit it out with aftermarket accessories to suit off road conditions.

• Choose a walking pace that you feel you could comfortably keep to for an hour. Try to keep to the same pace and try not to vary your speed unless absolutely necessary. Remember it's not a race.

• Try to synchronise your breathing. Breath in for two steps, breath out for two steps and so on. If this method works for you it will take you a lot further and use less energy. Your body will function a lot more efficiently.

• Aim for regular rest breaks. A good rule of thumb is one ten minute break at the end of every one hour of trekking. If you are in a rhythm and are reasonably fit this should be ample.

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River crossings

Never underestimate the power of nature. There is a fine line between a friendly stream and a deadly torrent. This subject could be covered in great depth and eventually we'll provide a more comprehensive version, but for the time being here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Decide where you are going to cross based on your view from a vantage point or by consulting your topographic map.

• The widest part of a river can often be the safest because this is where it is often shallowest and slowest.

• If you find a dry crossing beware of slippery moss covered rocks and logs.

• Don't underestimate distance if you have to jump.

• Undo the harness of your pack to enable a quick escape if you fall in.

• If you have to wade across, try to face upstream as it will be much easier to keep balance.

• Use a strong stick or trekking pole to keep balance while crossing.

• It is usually better to keep your boots on. Crossing a river barefoot over slippery submerged rocks can be both dangerous and EXTREMELY painful.

We will be going into much more detail on the subject of skills and techniques over the next few weeks.

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