While many aspire to conquer the world’s highest peak, my desire is different—I want to explore everywhere on foot. My passion for the mountains ignited during my first trek to Mardi, which was both exciting and chaotic.

With an overstuffed pack and little preparation, I was ill-equipped for the erratic weather. Yet, despite the pitfalls, I developed a deep affection for the hills, the trails, and the breathtaking views from above.

After countless hikes, I look back on that first trek as the start of something beautiful. From the flatlands to the Himalayas and trails in distant places, I’ve walked through it all and still can’t get enough. What’s not to love about the mountains, forests, and the endless thrill of the unknown?

What gear works best

On my first trek, I did not know what to expect, what to take, and what not to take. I suggest wearing workout clothes because you will walk and sweat a lot. Also, carry a set of thermal underwear to change into and sleep comfortably at night.

You might not get everything right during your first trek. However, I hope this article helps you make your journey better and more enjoyable. Ultimately, the best way to learn is through personal experience. After your first trek, you will discover what works best for you.

Hydration

Staying hydrated is essential. The more you sweat, the more water you should drink to prevent fluid imbalance. Carrying disposable wipes may also be helpful.

Eat light and carry protein bars

You may not feel like eating as your body could be taking its own time to adjust. However, it is important to eat. You will walk for 4 to 6 hours daily to reach your destination, requiring plenty of energy.

You don’t need to eat dal, bhat, and tarkari to make up for the calories you burn and to gain the energy you require. There are other equally nutritious alternatives, like protein bars. Think about choosing lighter, healthier options. A healthy body contributes to a healthy mind.

Weight matters

At the start of your trek, you might feel capable of carrying a load and walking. However, that is not how it works. Walking for long hours is challenging, and bearing a heavy load on your back is even tougher.

While hiking, do not carry more than 20 percent of your body weight. Take only your essentials and pack them lightly, especially if you are a novice trekker. Bring your necessities, such as warm socks and a beanie, to keep you cosy at night. This will help ensure you get a good night’s sleep.

You can be friends with anyone in the world

Friendship is built by the fire in a tea house as you relax after a long day in the mountains. The fellow travellers you encounter may not share the same story or journey as yours, but in that moment, they share the same destination.

Share your experiences and recount your tales, for everyone possesses a unique story that often remains untold.

Don’t have a strict timeline

Nature is unpredictable, but that is its beauty, don’t you think? The only certainty is the uncertainty that life and nature create. My travels to the mountains have taught me that many things remain beyond my control, except for my mindset. It is the key to coping with difficult circumstances and confronting the unknown. The earlier you learn to embrace this, the easier your trekking journey will be, as you will come to appreciate the small and big things happening around you. The same applies to life, especially when you view it as a journey.

Finishing the hike is not everything

Reaching the destination is important because we build our expectations around it and want to tick one more item off the list. As clichéd as it sounds, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “It is not the destination, it’s the journey.” This couldn’t be truer. It is also about the company you keep and simple joys—from the moment you see an Instagram post of that popular destination and think, “Perhaps I should go trekking,” to the moment you return to your cosy space and enjoy a lovely hot shower that teaches you different ingredients of life.

There are other ways to get high. Climb the mountain

As I approached my first trekking destination, Mardi Viewpoint, I was captivated by the view, and my eyes filled with tears. In a blissful state of clarity, without a drop of alcohol, I gazed at the endless layers of mountains. It was an unceasing display of beauty, grace, and vastness—a moment that gave my life profound meaning.

In awe of that teary-eyed, short-of-breath smile, all the questions about existence, consciousness, reality, and perception were answered. We are under the same sun, the same moon, washed by the same rain, and at home on the same earth. We are not part of the universe; we are the universe.