Anyone who has ever done high mountains knows that unnecessary or poorly planned luggage can prevent us from reaching the top.
Likewise, anyone who has hiked with a cotton shirt on knows the weight and discomfort of their own sweat after hours of walking, anyone who has climbed without proper footwear or who goes camping without a sleeping bag knows the virtues of a team appropriate.
And it is that just as experienced mountaineers have the maxim that, despite being visited several times, a mountain "is never the same", an outdoor adventure always represents a different type of challenge, so the team, the Measures and preparation can vary considerably, making what works for us in one environment completely unnecessary in another.
According to four experts in hiking, high mountains and outdoor experiences, the safety, comfort and enjoyment of any adventure can be translated into three simple questions that will guide us in knowing what to bring: where am I going? to be?
And what is the purpose of my visit?
In this sense, for Francisco Zárate, a 33-year-old mountaineer with more than a decade of experience in outdoor adventures, good, light and adequate equipment is the basis of everything.
“Weight is important, 500 grams after four hours can feel like four kilos.
Quick-drying pants, I do not recommend denim because it is a material that humidifies quickly, is heavy, takes time to dry and limits mobility.
Leggings work but you have to take the weather into account.
It is also important to bring a thermal shirt, wool or merino wool, a jacket, gloves and a hat.
“In the same way, a backpack that has lumbar support so that it does not hit you in the back.
Inside the backpack a tent if you are going to camp, as well as equipment to heat food, since drinking or eating something hot helps acclimatize the body, it also comforts the soul.
Food, as light or prepared as possible, nothing elaborate or heavy.
(Image: David Malan/Getty Images)
Going to the summit, spending a weekend in the forest in front of a campfire or going downhill on our bicycle or just walking and enjoying nature, at a certain height, time of year and time of day will also tell us if we need lamps, repellent mosquitoes, a basic first aid kit (this is important, since we may be hours away from the nearest medical service), as well as a raincoat and extra clothing if there is a chance of rain.
In addition to the heavier camping and kitchen equipment, which can go inside our car, the different basic items of our mountain backpack (blanket, sleeping bag, thermal clothing, water or chlorine tablets to clean the river water, etc. .), as well as the essentials of an attack backpack (crampons, lamp, dry seeds, hat, glove, quick-drying shirt, among others), are just as important as previous physical preparation, acquired professional information and/or knowledge technical.
“In addition to a good team, technically you have to take great care of your footing, all the time, since the terrain is usually irregular in shape, so it is important to be focused.
Good boots help, just like walking and running before your adventure, to increase the intensity so that you can enjoy it more on the day of the adventure”, says Gabriela Gissel Gonzalez Huchin, a 30-year-old professional walker, for whom outdoor adventure it is vitally important in your training as a high-performance athlete.
(Image: Milo Zanecchia/Ascent Xmedia/Getty Images)
the unseen team
When we find ourselves in front of natural environments, of imposing beauty, as well as an ecosystem different from ours, respect, responsibility and care are also aspects to take into account in our visit, a kind of "invisible team" just as essential as the ropes, sunscreen or the correct footwear, an aspect that José González, founder of Latino Outdoors.
“In these types of experiences there is one very important thing and that is to take into account that climate change exists and is breaking with the natural cycle that allows nature to regenerate.
For me, the important thing about outdoor adventures is to go out and connect with what we are part of, practice our habits of conservation, recycling and reuse of our waste, appreciating and valuing our environment”, emphasizes José González.
For its part, the timing and frequency of experiences also form a vital aspect of ethics outdoors in the vision of Voortus, a glamping project or outdoor experiences with benefits focused on comfort.
Andrea García Vega tells us that the Voortus experiences "are not available all year round, largely to generate the least possible impact on the spaces we visit, and also to show people the best events of nature in its fullness (the dawn, the full moon, the rains and their effect on the environment, etc.), thus comprising a punctual and educational part to raise awareness about how we affect nature”.
Last but not least, our outdoor adventure experts recommend checking the weather in the area or place to visit beforehand, as well as getting information from experts, experienced mountaineers or people who have already done the type of experience several times. that we are going to face, guaranteeing enjoyment, comfort and safety at all times.
