Physical Fitness
Treks are physically demanding. Participants should be physically fit enough to safely hike the distances involved, unless they have a limited disability. Each person should be able to walk three miles on level ground in about 50-70 minutes without undue stress. Taking practice hikes and preparing to walk uphill will also be beneficial. Many participants will benefit from improving their physical fitness before a trek.
Food, Water, Trail Sickness
Because trek activities are physically demanding, participants should be given nutritious, well-balanced meals and snacks to help them maintain strength and energy. Nutrition bars, trail mix, or salty snacks can be given to participants between meals. It is headache pain, flu-like symptoms, dizziness, depression, always weak and tired. It is caused by physical exhaustion and dehydration. Drink water throughout the day and if it is hot make sure everyone gets a spoonful of Gatorade or an equivalent powder in their water.
Blisters
Blisters can ruin the Trek experience for some people. It is important that individual Trek participants take preventative measures to make sure that their feet are adequately protected by wearing two pair of socks - a thin pair underneath and a more substantial pair on the outside. It is a good idea to have a periodic foot inspection to identify blisters and see that they are treated by the medical team. This is another good reason for the pre-trek hikes, so that feet will TOUGHEN UP.
Preparation Fitness Program
- We anticipate that you will hike 5+ miles per day, over varying terrains, (up and down with some fairly steep hills). With this in mind, we recommend each person, youth and adults, begin a walking routine.
- We suggest that you begin walking 2-3 times a week, at least 1-2 miles each time. As your cardiovascular endurance increases, it would be ideal to increase your time and distance. Over the next several months, work towards walking 7-10 miles at a time, at least once during the week.
- If you do not already have boots/hiking shoes now is the time to start looking to purchase a pair. By May/June, you should have secured comfortable boots/hiking shoes, and also begin wearing them on your weekly walks. This way they will be properly "Worn In" by the end of July.
Trek Gear for Consideration
Treks offer acquaintance with nature, hard work, and living outside - but without the right gear, it can sometimes be a frustrating experience.
- Chapstick
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellant
- Hiking socks - moisture wicking
- Snacks - jerky, hard candy, trail mix, fruit leather, etc
- Moleskin and duct tape - the first sign of a blister is a hot spot on the foot
- Body Glide, Vaseline or Gold Bond Powder for chafing between the legs
- Neck cooler - can be purchased on Amazon or Deseret Book