Going on multi-day excursions is becoming more and more popular in different parts of the world. In Mexico, we have the paradise to do it, you can tour the canyons of the Copper Canyon, spend several days in the jungles of Chiapas or tour the Sierra Madre in the north of the country, actually, we are fortunate to do an excursion of several days almost in any state of Mexico.
Would you ever be interested in taking a multi-day excursion? It does not matter if you are a beginner or an old hiker in the mountains, it is something that requires a lot of prior preparation.
Everything in life has its risk, so it happens in the mountains too. Here I'm going to share some tips for when you want to plan your own multi-day excursion with friends.
1. Get familiar with your destination
Spend time getting to know everything about the location where you are going to be. Find out about the weather and the terrain where you are going to plot your route. Make an itinerary with what you plan to do each day of the excursion, where you mention the important data of the area where you will be that day, and if it is necessary to pay for transportation or lodging.
Not so long ago we were used to folding paper maps as companions on our travels. Get a topographic map, they give you information that you don't always get in Google Earth, such as contour lines that reflect the shape of the earth's surface.
Remember to know the regulations of the area well, maybe you have to pay an entry permit or maybe it is forbidden to make bonfires. Don't forget to find out about the flora and fauna of the place. Do we have to take care of poisonous plants? What dangerous animals can we find?
Connect with the locals! This will serve you much more than you imagine, perhaps they even speak another language and you need to know phrases that will help you save yourself from a problem.
2. Food and water
Once you have the logistics of the excursion ready, continue to plan what you need to stay on your feet.No one said that in the mountains you do not eat rich!
There is a lot of variety of foods you can take but it is important not to overload yourself and consider lightweight options, such as instant rice or quinoa, tuna, pasta, or even dehydrated pre-made meals. As well as a trail mix that gives you a lot of energy, you can take things like protein bars, nuts, and almonds, dried fruits, chocolates, seeds, or even dried meat.
Not drinking enough water can be one of the most common mistakes made by hikers. It does not matter if it is cold or hot, if you are at sea level or in very high places, hydration should be the most important.
The climate and the type of place will define the hydration system that you need to carry, it is not the same to walk through a desert area or through mountains where there are large rivers. On these excursions, we run into surprises all the time! So check the temperature throughout the day, hour by hour, if it will be cloudy, the probability of rain, wind, and humidity (the drier the weather, the thirstier it will make you).
Normally you need about three liters of water per person in a day, but this can vary depending on each person. It is always better than more than less. Bring enough thermos to hold at least three liters (a camelback is highly recommended for ease of storage, loading, and drinking.
It also carries a system to filter and purify water from the river, stream, cenote, or any water source with which you are going to find. There are many, many gravity systems that can be very efficient and there are also droplets of chlorine dioxide. None works 100% and that is why I suggest filtering the water first through the gravity system and then adding a few drops of chlorine dioxide (I recommend the drops of aqua mica, two bottles come with different solutions, you mix them in a small bottle, you let it rest a few minutes and you empty it into the water).
Carrying electrolytes is also a good idea, such as effervescent tablets with added vitamins and minerals.
Don't wait to be thirsty and take sips of water every time you remember. People can survive for weeks without food, but without water, only three or four days maximum.
Don't forget to bring sun protection!
3. Equipment list
You can use tools like excel to make your list, so you won't forget anything important. It all depends on where you are going to go, but you have to think carefully about the layers of clothing you will need and if you have a waterproof jacket.
4. Weigh your equipment
Get ready to ditch the luxuries! Sometimes you want to take the "most beautiful" so that the photos come out parents, but in the mountains, the most beautiful is not always the lightest. We tend to believe that something as simple as a thermos "does not weigh anything", but in reality, each gram in the mountain weighs three times more, it is important that you weigh all your equipment while packing and always look for what weighs less.
It is normal that if you have just started hiking, you still do not have equipment that is ultra-light special for mountaineering but does not worry, it is very easy to get it, there are stores like Vertimania in Monterrey, which sell ultra-light mountain equipment, Sure, if you look in your city you will find specialized mountain stores too.
5. Start with the biggest
Backpack, tent, sleeping bag. With this you must be careful, carrying a light tent makes a difference and, if they share it, it can be carried by two or three people and everything is much more practical.
The backpack is essential, look for a special one for hiking that is adjustable to your waist and back and that is light. There are different sizes of the backpack, you can choose the one you want depending on the days you will spend in the mountains and the equipment you carry. What I would recommend the most for this type of excursion is a 60 liter one.
