What is trekking?
Trekking is a recreational, educational and conservation-oriented outdoor activity consisting of
walking along designated marked trails. The rich bio-diversity of various classes flora and fauna of
Karnataka forests could be seen and experienced during this activity. Trekking may be a day-trip, or
involve night halts at designated camping sites.
Trekking trails are being established in the National Parks (NP) and Sanctuaries (WLS) of Karnataka.
These trails are the footpaths and patrolling tracks used by the park personnel, and approved in the
Management Plan. These facilities are expected to offer exciting experiences for nature enthusiasts.
What is the dress code for trekking?
Recommended dress code for trekking include:
- Cotton shirts of dull colour like forest-green or mud-brown
- Comfortable cotton trousers /pants /salwar kameez of earthy color; bright colored clothing
should be avoided in forests
- Trekking shoes of good quality
- Hat/cap to protect from sunlight; sweaters in winter; Windcheaters, Jackets, raincoat during
rains
What items should be carried by trekker?
Trekking requires a set of basic items. Some essential and optional items are given below:
- Haversack
- Trek route-map
- Water bottles with 2 to 3 liters drinking water / day
- Garbage bags for taking back all wastes generated
- Thin towel and inner wear
- Toiletries soap, toothpaste/ brush, shaving kit, comb, toilet paper, etc
- Medicines (as needed)
- Torch & candle, match box
- Binoculars & camera
- Whistle
- Easy-to-cook / ready-to-eat food items like '2-minute noodle', 'Knorr soup', 'MTR ready mix',
etc and glucose packet
- Utensils, plates, etc, for the group (enquire for availability at camp-site)
- Scribbling pad and pen
- Sleeping bag/ blanket & Sleeping mat (6' x 2')
- Mosquito repellent
- Tobacco, salt, etc, to keep away leeches in evergreen forests during monsoon
Any good trekking practices?
- The trekking group should move together in a single-line formation, with no one going too
far ahead or behind
- Be independent. Carry one's own pack. Pack not to exceed 15 kg
- Littering, shouting, spitting, singing or using transistors and music systems during the trek are
prohibited
- Carrying or consuming narcotic drugs is a serious offence
Why do we need to be careful when we are on an adventure?
Adventure is a stress buster, which is very essential to the way of life we are leading these days.
Adventure is taking CALCULATED risk, but accidents happen because of overconfidence, negligence, or bad luck.
Precaution Protection & Prevention
Whenever we go to a water spot, falls or a river in the quest for adventure, we tend to forget
about looking for signboards that spell Danger and instead jump into the inviting waters without a
care for the world around. In case of an unfortunate accident, we look out for the same signboards
we missed out earlier. If we do not find them, we blame the government authorities for not
installing proper guidance.
However, would we really look for guidance before it is too late? Overzealous swimmers and equally
overzealous non-swimmers, would we care to think twice before embarking on an adventure into
the unknown? Muttathi, Hogenekal Falls, Shivanasamudram, Sangam are some of water spots
around Bangalore where many people have lost their lives in the name of adventure. Nevertheless,
this has not deterred others from risking their lives. Whirlpools, High Currents, Crocodiles, Quicksand,
and Sharp Rocks at river bottom are some of the impending dangers associated with these water
spots. Take Precautions and Prevent casualties. Enjoy the best nature can offer! In the hope to
save a precious life!
What is Mountain altitude sickness and how we prevent/treat it?
Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), altitude illness, or soroche, is a
pathological condition that is caused by acute exposure to low air pressure (usually outdoors at high
altitudes). It commonly occurs above 2,400 metres (approximately 8,000 feet).[1] Acute mountain
sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema
(HACE). Headache is a primary symptom used to diagnose altitude sickness, although headache is
also a symptom of dehydration. A headache occurring at an altitude above 2,400 meters (8000 feet
= 76 kPa), combined with any one or more of the following symptoms, can indicate altitude sickness:
* Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
* Fatigue or weakness
* Dizziness or light-headedness
* Insomnia
* Pins and needles
* Shortness of breath upon exertion
* Persistent rapid pulse
* Drowsiness
* General malaise
* Peripheral edema (swelling of hands, feet, and face).
Prevention
- Avoid alcohol ingestion- As alcohol tends to dehydrate, avoidance in the first 24 hours at
a higher altitude is optimal.
- Drink Garlic water - a local remedy recommended by Ladakh travellers is to soak garlic in
warm water and keep sipping on it.
- Avoid Strenuous activity - People with recurrent AMS note that by avoiding strenuous
activity such as skiing, hiking, etc in the first 24 hours at altitude reduces their problems.
- Altitude acclimatization - Altitude acclimatisation is the process of adjusting to decreasing
oxygen levels at higher elevations, in order to avoid altitude sickness. Once above
approximately 3,000 meters (10,000 feet = 70 kPa), most climbers and high altitude trekkers
follow the "golden rule" - climb high, sleep low. For high altitude climbers, a typical
acclimatization regime might be to stay a few days at a base camp, climb up to a higher camp
(slowly), then return to base camp. A subsequent climb to the higher camp would then
include an overnight stay. This process is then repeated a few times, each time extending
the time spent at higher altitudes to let the body adjust to the oxygen level there, a process
that involves the production of additional red blood cells.
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