Mountain Manners: Do’s and Don’ts

Hi Travellers!

We thought we would share these valuable insights with you. Things we learnt over years of trekking in the Himalayas. If you are a person travelling or intend to travel in the mountains, you must have come across the term “Mountain Manners” and thought to yourself, what could it possibly mean ? Let’s say Mountain Manners are basically common sense in regard to hiking in the mountains, some effective tips and a set of do’s and don’ts which make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Do’s and Don’ts and tips for a traveller

• Inform : If you are a solo traveler always inform a friend or a family member where you are heading to, your travel information ( train no, flight no, contact numbers of hotels/homestays, drivers etc), your route and expected date of return.
• A smile goes a long way :  I learnt it from the mountain folks. My first trek, and I was really exhausted after long hours of walking with the rucksack on my back and then I saw this old lady with a huge pile of firewood on her back and a smile on her lips. As she passed me by, she flashed her almost toothless, gorgeous smile at me and that kind of lifted my spirit instantly. I started noticing thereafter that mountain people wear a smile on their lips ( honestly speaking, I have rarely seen grumpy faces till date ) and that seemed to make things a little easier. So I adopted that smile and the weight of the rucksack seemed a little lighter, the trails a lot more beautiful.  Crazy it might sound, but you can try it and see if that works. I am sure it will. With a smile you really do not have anything to lose..on the other hand you might uplift the mood of another person..you might even make a friend.
• Respect local traditions, faith and religious sites:  The enthralling landscapes you walk through are also the homes of people with a set of cultural beliefs, religious practices and traditional values which might be entirely different from yours. It’s a trekkers duty to educate themselves about the local cultures and customs to avoid any conflict or any unintentional hurt.
• Maintain a steady pace while walking and walking tips  : Trekking is neither a competition nor a race. You have come to enjoy the splendours of nature. So does it really matter if you reach the camp first ? Or for that matter, if you were the last one to reach there? Maintain a steady pace while walking. If you rush and hurry at the beginning of the trek, chances are, you will tire yourself out pretty soon. Jumping or running downhill  are risky and are not good for your joints either. If the trail ahead is steep, you can follow a zigzag pattern of walking while going up . If you are tired and feel like stopping after every 5 meters, you can try doing this…walk for sometime then stop, turn back, take 10 sets of deep breathing( inhale and exhale) and then keep walking again. Turning back relaxes the hamstrings. And try not to sit at every bend. For some first time hikers this can be a major challenge at times, not sitting at every bend. Push yourself for the first couple of hours, you will then develop a steady rhythm. Do try to maintain a safe gap of 4/5 meters between you and the other trekkers at the front and at the back if you are walking closely. When overtaking, take permission from the hiker in front of you. In many trails you will find mules/horses carrying loads. Step aside and let them pass first. And if you have to stop for some reason, do not stop right in the middle and block the trail for others. Let’s say now, you have been walking ahead of others, alone, for sometime, and have approached a bifurcation /fork, it will be wise to wait for others to catch up with you. We have heard of instances where people got lost on the trail because their inexperienced eyes could not figure out which was the right trail and which was not. Coming to taking rests I really have a lot to share with you. If you have to take, what we call “mini rests” during walking, do it with your rucksacks on your back. Avoid taking them off . You can lean back on a slope with your rucksack on , you can sit on a boulder then lean back on your sack..feels really relaxing you know. But avoid taking it off every time you rest. You lose time every time you strap it back on and the darned thing feels heavy after every break !! Stop only at the designated halts mentioned by your trek lead, for meal breaks etc. Walking on a full belly does make the job difficult for many and you may even get slow. Trying eating a small portion of your food, enough to keep you going . Keep the rest for the road as and when needed.
• Maintain your body temperature : You might have started in the early hours of the morning. And the freezing cold weather might have forced you to wear three/four layers of clothing. After 20/30 mins of walking you will find yourself sweating profusely under the layers. That is the time you need to lose excessive clothes. During meal breaks or rests, maintain your body temperature by putting on a wind cheater.
• Intake of water needs to be maintained : Your body loses water primarily through respiration,  sweating,urination and pooping. Digestion also requires a good amount of water. You have to drink at least 5-6 litres of water everyday to keep your system going and to keep AMS at bay. Dehydration is not good news at all. And please remember AMS is compounded by dehydration. During the trek, drink water in small gulps, first swirling it inside your mouth. Swirling the water inside your mouth gives you a sense of satiety when you drink it. It also prevents you from getting choked on the very first gulp. If you are having cramps, mix ORS in your water and then drink it.
• Collect information about the place you are going  
• Take proper hiking clothes and gears : Very often we see hikers in clothes and shoes which were not meant for hiking in the first place. There is a reason why the hiking shoes are manufactured. They have better grips, are lightweight and protect your ankle. Please do understand that running shoes are meant for running only and sandals, for use around your homes. We have seen people hiking in jeans, short shorts and what not . Of course we do admit they make better pictures. But have you ever compared that a pair of quick dry hiking pants are super light in terms of weight against a pair of jeans? Or that a pair of soggy quick dry hiking pants dry up way faster than a pair of wet jeans which already weigh a ton? And for those shorts, why would you want to expose yourself to so much of UV rays or sunburns or maybe insect bites? It won’t be nice to leave yourself exposed to the elements of nature.
• Tent in designated campgrounds : Check with your trek lead/guide.
• Be kind to porters: Porters are hired to carry luggage and camping equipment up steep paths in the mountains. They have a crucial role and are an integral part of any trek team. Most of the times, they come from extremely poor financial backgrounds, and themselves are not adequately clothed for high altitude treks. Without them many climbers/trekkers would not be able to reach their destination. So treat your porters with the respect he deserves.
• If someone needs your help, help the person. You never know when you might need it too.
• Leave the nature cleaner than you found it : Minimize negative environmental impact while trekking . Heaps of garbage left in the mountains by trekkers and expedition team members do more than just mar the beauty of the nature. Some wastes rot, some do not. Some may generate methane gas which contributes to the Greenhouse effect . Plastics when burnt, produce toxic substances and gases which double up pollution. So the right thing to do is to carry down one’s own garbage to the point from where they can be disposed properly. An even better thing to do would be to carry back a portion of the garbage some other irresponsible mountain-goer has left behind. If we do not take care of our mountains, who will?
• Do not bank upon your mobile phones. Batteries conk out faster in cold climes. Moreover, in many of the hiking /trekking trails mobile network is not available.
• Do not overrate your abilities.
• Do not take short cuts if you do not know the route very well.
• Do not consume alcohol during treks :  The effects of alcohol are exacerbated at altitude, each ounce of alcoholic beverage will have a greater perceived effect on the consumer. This is in part due to the lower oxygen level in the blood of anyone at altitude, usually this is most notable at or above 8,000ft. Greater dehydration due to vasodilation, decreased perception of risk ,general decrease in mental decision making and judgement ,decreased ability to digest food, and therefore lower overall energy for climbing will affect the participant directly and severely. Participant may even experience decreased temperature regulation, as the blood vessels in the skin are dilated and will release more body heat leaving the participant feeling freezing cold.The acclimatization process is inhibited by consumption of alcohol and depressant drugs.