“I really love the outdoors doc, but can I climb/trek that mountain without killing myself of exhaustion?”
Forget about the so many what ifs on this question, but because I get this question more often now, I’ll give these tips again, for the would be outdoor trekkers. (If you are an intermediate- to advance trekker, I gave these tips before) I would assume you know little about the outdoors, about gears and equipments, or proper physical conditioning and fitness for mountaineers. I will safely assume too you probably have tried going outdoors before but has had a bad experience that you left the hobby for something else, like Facebook. More importantly, throw of those “stereotypes” you heard about the lifestyles of outdoor geeks and stay focused on what you like to do in the outdoors yourself. So, game?
- Start with someplace fun, easy and achievable for your level. Look for an outdoor place with an easy trail, great camping site and plentiful of outdoor activities to choose from. Lake Maughan/Holon (See picture on right side, courtesy of Sir Joy Guadalupe) would be a nice outdoor place to start. Whenever you travel to a new place, ask for an outdoor/tourist spot in that area then go for it. A fifteen minute visit wouldn’t hurt. When I first ventured into trekking, I conquered a hill with a convenience store on the top,complete with halo-halo and cold seven up, and pitched a tent on top of a dried carabao dung. But it I had so much fun with my group that time.
- Find your outdoor buddy or join an outdoor group. It could be anyone-your special someone, your
buddy, friend or any group in your place, for as long as you share the same enjoyment for the outdoors. Remember part of enjoying the outdoor life, is the fact that you can share it (or build memories) with someone,with friends and with your barkada. Also, outdoor events and news are usually channeled thru outdoor clubs so your chances of finding your outdoor fun gets higher. I found my present club (TAMAC) by actually approaching them personally and got involve actively with their activities. Don’t wait for them to approach you, approach these eccentric people! - Get the basic and essential hiking equipments first. A good hiking shoes, a durable day pack
and 1-2 sets of hiking dri fits. Most of outdoor gears you can borrow from someone first or you can find one from ukay-ukay. Go for durability and comfort rather than style and price. You can always upgrade later when you get the “feel” of your necessities. (my posts on gears and equipments) JP’s essentials is fully describe in this picture (right). Too much less but yes, but he was comfortable with that.
- Enroll in some form of physical fitness regimen, like jogging or swimming on a regular basis. The point is you have a regular exercise that will increase your cardio-pulmonary endurance above that of your normal daily activity.(read my thoughts on physical conditioning and exercise here if you have time) It’s easier to train from these baseline for more difficult climbs. Also,it will be easier for you to go on trek on short notice, with out having to kill yourself of exhaustion..
- Join in some form of outdoor advocacy to drive your enthusiasm. Even if it is only, “save-my-lone-tree-destroy all-chainsaws” climb for a cause. Admit it, forest is rapidly dwindling. Nature would be very happy if we spend some effort on preserving them.
- Read about the the outdoor life (like subscribing to this blog). You can find millions of reading material for newbie trekkers online. Start with the “leave no trace” values. or you can watch Nat Geo, Planet TV or Discovery channels to perk up your outdoor enthusiasm.
- Now if you really wanted to go outdoors to trek/hike/climb/ or whatever, I suggest you begin saving for your first trip to the outdoors. While mountaineers are known to be uber thrift and street smart with their money, you will still incur transportation and food expenses. While buddies and group hikes can reduce your expenses significantly, nothing beats when you have pocket money of your own. Uh, did I say you’ll spend a lot of those for those native tribal necklaces and pasalubongs?
- “Think like a mountaineer, live like a mountaineer”. Mountaineers are really simple-life-lovers
, bare essential advocates and are highly organized individuals. Today whenever I travel or go to places whether for business and pleasure trip, I pack my stuff in my luggage according to need, neatly matched and rolled, with the most important and emergent stuff on top. I also wrap my dry stuff with plastic waterproofing. - Find time, allocate time by creating a monthly or year long schedule. While we so enjoy this hobby to the fullest, we don’t want to sacrifice our families and professional work. So as early as i get the event invitation or hear the news of an outdoor activity, I put a priority list and schedule it according to my family time, work vacations or together with my business trips. You get a lot of savings from these without having to sacrifice work.
- Grab that first opportune moment with the outdoors and enjoy it. The important thing is to get there yourself and experience it first physically. No excuse first and save the whining after. In my case, there were many instances I have hesitated going outdoors for the simple reason that the event is not par my standards, but ended up liking the activity because of new things discovered, people befriended and memories recorded. Yes, take countless photos and videos to your liking. Words couldn’t simply describe whatever experience you get in the outdoors!
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