{"id":3046,"date":"2018-03-01T09:52:33","date_gmt":"2018-03-01T08:52:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/?p=3046"},"modified":"2024-07-18T16:41:26","modified_gmt":"2024-07-18T14:41:26","slug":"trekking-expert-tips-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/trekking-expert-tips-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"Trekking tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Trekking tours are considered as the \u201croyal league\u201d of hiking. Contrary to a day or hut hike, trekkers shoulder their backpack packed with food, tent and sleeping bag to find happiness and a path away from civilization for several days to weeks. This requires a lot of preparation and knowledge.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In this article we have compiled 5 expert tips for trekking novices to explain typical beginner&#8217;s mistakes and how to avoid them:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.      Tour selection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaving the beaten track promises an adventure. If you plan a trekking tour for the first time, you should start with a manageable three- or four-day tour. For trekking beginners, there are nice routes in Poland, Ireland or Scotland to begin with. Unfortunately, in Germany and some other countries, it is forbidden to set up a tent in the wild. However, you will find many tour descriptions on the Internet including recommendations for overnight stays in tents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During your first tour you can test and optimize your equipment under real conditions before leaving for a longer tour in Scandinavia or North America. You will also get to know your own needs &#8211; how much nature can I cope with, am I fit enough to carry the heavy backpack over long distances?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> A fitness training consisting of hiking, jogging, swimming or cycling is mandatory to handle the physical exertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2.      Route planning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to the route planning, it is a typical beginner&#8217;s mistake to plan with daily distances that are too far. Often, one overestimates their own condition while the terrain and the weight of the backpack is underestimated. With the help of tour reports or (digital) maps you can calculate your daily walking time at home easily. Don\u2019t forget: The larger and less experienced the group, the more time you have to allow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t rely on a GPS device alone. The map may be incorrect, it might get damaged or lost or the battery could discharge quicker than expected due to extreme weather conditions. Therefore, it makes sense to have a map and compass with you as a backup. Of course, you should also be able to handle it. But don&#8217;t panic, you will find lots of information and videos on the Internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> It is sensible to have a detailed timetable for the upcoming day in mind: 6:00 am breakfast, 6:45 am dismantling the tent, for example. Of course, you don\u2019t have to exactly stick to it. But it\u2019s good to structure the day so you will not get under time pressure in the afternoon because the next place to stay overnight is still a long way off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BYaxLykFYkl\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BYaxLykFYkl\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BYaxLykFYkl\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ein Beitrag geteilt von TATONKA (@tatonkacom)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3.      Food supply<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>How much and what kind of food should I take? Food planning for a trekking tour is not an easy task. Beginners therefore often prefer freeze-dried backpacking food, which only has to be mixed with water. This is ideal in terms of weight but is a drain on your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why it\u2019s worthwhile to put together the food yourself. Anything that can be quickly prepared, provides high levels of nutrition and consumes little fuel is suitable. Typical meals are couscous, instant noodles or other packaged stuff from the supermarket. When selecting, always pay attention to calories. Cereals, power bars and nuts are great energy suppliers. Oats, for example, mixed with milk powder and water make a rich breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> If it is logistically feasible, deposit some food for the second half of the tour in advance at a suitable place. E.g. hide it in a tall tree and pack it in a way animals can\u2019t smell the food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4.      Equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Base layers, softshell pants, rain protection, hiking boots, tent, sleeping bag, cookware, backpack \u2013 you will need quite some equipment for a trekking tour. Here, we concentrate on two items: <span><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (\u00f6ffnet in neuem Tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tatonka.com\/Search-Results?searchtag=Tents%20%26%20Tarps&amp;pk_campaign=blog_en&amp;pk_kwd=tcta&amp;pk_source=Trekking%20tips\" target=\"_blank\">the tent<\/a><\/span> and <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tatonka.com\/Search-Results?searchtag=Trekking%20Backpacks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (\u00f6ffnet in neuem Tab)\">the backpack<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t choose a too large backpack. It is a typical beginner&#8217;s mistake wanting to be prepared for every situation and to take too much with you. It is better to hike with slightly smelly clothes than having to abort the tour with an aching shoulder. Nevertheless, everything necessary must be packed. If you are in a group, make sure you talk about this beforehand. How do you distribute shared items such as stove, first aid kits, food or tents? You will find competent advice on choosing the right backpack at your <span>local dealer<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try out the backpack \u2013 realistically loaded and packed \u2013 on a smaller tour before you head off abroad or a two week trail. Also check how to adjust the carrying system properly and what weight you can actually carry for a longer period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/videoseries?list=PL9CSsTKPT4xVK2Eryv3bEyEtXUKasQvJI\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"203\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Weight and packing size are important factors when selecting a tent. The tent should not weigh more than two kilograms per person. Tunnel tents are particularly suitable for trekking tours. They are quick to put up and dismantle &#8211; with a little practice, you can even do it on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Examine your equipment in terms of versatility. Your sleeping bag cover becomes a nice pillow when you stuff it with a fleece. This way of thinking will save you a lot of weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5.      Packing your backpack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The basic rules of backpack packing are as follows: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pack heavy items as close to the back as possible in the main compartment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pack light, voluminous items such as sleeping bags in the bottom compartment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Load the backpack evenly. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have weather protection gear close at hand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To gain space and tidy things up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tatonka.com\/en\/pouches-stuff-bags\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stuff bags <\/a>are a great choice. You&#8217;ll be able to compress your sleeping bag in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tatonka.com\/en\/product\/compression-sack-18l\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Compression Bag<\/a> to only a third of its original size. See our article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tatonka.com\/en\/service\/carrying-systems\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Systematic Carrying &#8211; How to properly pack your backpack<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Attach as little as possible to the outside of your backpack. It is better to pack everything inside the backpack, otherwise you might get stuck or the center of gravity shifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many good agencies who organize trekking tours &#8211; be it as a group trip or an individual tour for two. Why not get your first trekking experience this way? If you are looking for the right equipment, have a look at our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tatonka.com\/en\/tents-tarps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tents<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tatonka.com\/en\/backpacks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">backpacks<\/a> and other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tatonka.com\/en\/activity\/trekking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trekking gear<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trekking tours are considered as the \u201croyal league\u201d of hiking. Contrary to a day or hut hike, trekkers shoulder their backpack packed with food, tent and sleeping bag to find happiness and a path away from civilization for several days to weeks. This requires a lot of preparation and knowledge. In this article we have [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3102,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3046","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-trekking-tips"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3046"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3046\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}