Walking
along a trail with a pack strapped to your back doesn’t require
exceptional skill or conditioning, but it does require planning, the
right equipment, and plain old common sense.
Vietnam offers
some excellent trekking opportunities, notably in its growing array of
national parks and nature reserves. There ‘s plenty of opportunities to
hike to minority villages in the northwest, northeast and centre
highland regions. Anything is possible, from half-day hiking &
trekking to a week ascent of Fansipan peak - Vietnam´s highest
mountain. The best bases from which to arrange treks are Mai Chau,
Sapa, Bac Ha, Cao Bang,
Belows are some of the notes when you plan the trip.
Can You Handle It?
If
you can walk, you can hike, but start with beginner-rated trails of a
mile or less and then work your way up to longer, more difficult hikes.
You can usually find a sign at the trailhead that lists the length of
the route; remember, though, that the posted mileage is typically
one-way, so gauge your time and effort accordingly.
The difficulty
of any trek or walk depends on daily mileage, hilliness of the terrain,
and altitude. Most walking trips, tailored for moderately active
people, cover gentle terrain at low altitudes, and many have optional
shorter routes. If you need a break, you can always skip a day and
lounge around at the hotel or lodge. But on a trek, you have no choice
but to make it to the day’s destination. Altitudes above 14,000 feet or
vertical gains of more than 2,000 feet per day demand excellent
physical fitness. Most outfitters can assess your fitness level. If in
doubt, be conservative, especially when it comes to the dizziness and
shortness of breath associated with high altitudes.
Essential Skills
Skills
needed for hiking apply to any outdoor sport. A course in basic first
aid wouldn’t hurt, but at least know how to bandage a wound, apply
moleskin, and detect the signs of dehydration, heatstroke, and
hypothermia. Learn how to read clouds; knowing a nimbus from a cumulus
can be the difference between a waterlogged hike and a merely cloudy
one.
Gear Up
Everyone needs a day pack; choose one
with multiple pockets, padded shoulder straps, and large zipper
closure. And make sure it’s the right size: When properly adjusted, the
base should sit on your hips and the top should be at least one
hand-width below the base of your neck. Footwear designed specifically
for hiking offers better support and traction. Choose a pair that’s a
half-size larger than your street shoes to allow for some swelling as
you walk and to accommodate heavier hiking socks. Wear thick wool or
synthetic blend socks designed to wick moisture away from the feet, as
wet feet is the primary cause of blisters. Some things to keep in your
day pack: first-aid kit; water bottle; Swiss Army knife; topographic
map; compass; space blanket; and sweater.
Speak the Language
Hot spot: That little tingle of friction you feel on your foot before you get a blister. Don’t ignore the feeling: Take off your boot and wrap your foot in moleskin before that tingling evolves into a full-fledged blister.Loop trail: A trail that starts at point A and circles back to the same point without repeating any section of the trail.
Scree slope: A challenging slope of loose rock and shale.
Saddle: A trail stretched over the lowest point between two peaks, resembling a saddle.
Aiming off: Intentionally erring about 5 degrees off-course when using a compass bearing and heading toward your target destination. The benefit of aiming off is you’ll know exactly which way to turn to get to your destination when you reach the baseline.
