Trekking, or simply touring or hiking, is a form of activity based on walking on different terrains, either for long distances along streets and roads etc. with different equipment, or off the beaten track. In addition to touring, we have other activities, undertaken in a similar environment, but with different means of transportation, such as excursions by horse, mountain bike or canoe, cross-country and downhill skiing. Touring is also a preliminary activity for climbing and alpinism. The English language often refers to it as trekking or hiking.
Trekking means to walk slowly or to undertake a long journey, whereas hiking simply means walking. Usually, touring is done in the mountains or in a natural environment and can be accompanied by naturalistic activities such as bird-watching, observation of botanic species, or visiting monuments and natural phenomena along the road. The seriously motivated hiker or trekker has to pay respect towards the environment he crosses, has to avoid making noise, needs to respect the pathways, not tamper with the sign systems, not leave garbage around (that can be compressed and taken to a dust bin, or even better disposed of later), not collect protected botanic species or disturb wild animals, light fires only in appropriate places and with the adequate competences, extinguish it fully before leaving, not throw away lit cigarette butts (preferably not even extinguished ones, of course).
TREKKING PREPARATION
To avoid problems that might even become serious, such as getting lost or finding oneself trapped in an unexpected storm, it is necessary to plan in advance certain aspects, such as:
. Track to be followed, altimetry profile, general altitude levels, nature of the terrain, orientation references;
. Planned duration, stopping places and shelters;
. Weather forecast;
. Clothing and in particular footwear;
. Equipment (minimum accessories, rucksacks, tents, camp stoves and tableware);
. Extensive water and food supplies.
The clothing is obviously linked to the season of the year; however, you have to consider possible deterioration of the weather. Always take waterproof clothing with you in case of emergency. Choose preferably boots which are suitable for the expected terrain and special socks designed for touring (usually seamless and with differentiated structure for maximum comfort). As far as the equipment is concerned, it needs to comprise the necessary elements for orientation and useful accessories in case of problems. In particular, for any excursion it is advisable to bring at the least:
. A detailed geographical map of the site to be explored, preferably a military map or published by CAI (possibly with a minimum scale of 1:25.000);
. A compass and optional (not alternatively) a GPS receiver;
. An optional multipurpose knife (like the Swiss-type knives);
. First Aid box;
. Cleaning-tissues;
. An extensive water supply and energizing food: chocolate is not a good choice as it is made up almost exclusively of fats which are difficult to digest. It is better to use simple sugars - like juices, but not saccharin's that provoke high glycemic levels- , or alternatively malt dextrins.
. Lighter (or matches);
. Torch (most useful are head lights, as they leave the hands free);
. Telescopic walking sticks: it is best avoiding the use of one single stick as the asymmetry of the walk may provoke articular stress to the back and shoulders;
. Sun glasses with UVA protection (essential is a protection 4 for excursions on snow or ice) and protective sun cream;
. Binoculars (optional);
. Whistle (useful when providing emergency signals);
. Sleeping bag (obligatory in almost all shelters);
. Helmet (obligatory in high mountains and close to stone walls);
. Pair of thick gloves;
. Sun hat with eyeshade and a warm hat;
. Some spare laces (in case one breaks);
Apart from the minimum equipment, consider the following:
. When walking on ice, the use of crampons and ice-axes is obligatory, and when clefts are present, it is advisable to proceed roped together;
. Along the routes with fixed ropes or iron steps, the use of a harness and a helmet is obligatory, as well as an iron set (composed of a dissipater, two karabiner and pre-arranged ropes); stiff boots and gloves are advisable that do not interfere with the use of karabiner (similar to the ones cyclists use);
. In case you have to cross a river or particularly exposed and dangerous passages, it is advisable that the group carries along a set of ropes of at least twenty metres.
ORIENTATION WHEN TREKKING
Proper orientation is important in order to avoid getting lost and above all to stay on the signalled paths. The Italian Alpinism Club (CAI for Club Alpino Italiano) and other local or regional organisations take care of the road markings and their maintenance. The CAI and many publishing houses (Kompass, Tobacco, Multigraphics, IGC) distribute road maps in which the pathways with other information - such as position of shelters, camps, rest areas - are marked. Usually, each different path has its own identifying colour, with the reference number used on the maps and guides, as well as the expected duration. This duration typically does not include the breaks. It is always advisable to bear in mind that at least in Italy no standards exist for tracing the paths: on most of the Italian territory the use of white-red flags with the path number is common, whereas in central-south Italy, coloured symbols are used to differentiate the various paths in one area. In that area, a standardization concerning the expected duration is completely missing.
If there is a certain number in the group of walkers and where there are more experienced walkers, care must be taken to avoid separation from the slower and less experienced members. The group needs to stay compact. Modern technology offers different tools for orientation and rescue, among which are mobile phone and GPS. The phone, however, should be considered as an additional help and you should not entirely rely on it, as its coverage is not always ascertained. More useful can be a radio transmitter, able to operate with frequencies to signal for help. In order to be reasonably sure to be able to make contact at all times, you need to take with you a satellite phone which is very expensive. Even the GPS may run out of battery. Before leaving, it is a good idea to find out as much as possible about the terrain you want to explore, in particular the signalled paths, the position of possible landmarks as reference points, altimetry, and general orientation compared to the cardinal points. It is good to take with you a detailed topography map and obviously know how to read it for a correct orientation.
The best instrument for orientation, when using cardinal points, remains the compass, or a GPS receiver. And what is more, a good trekker is able to orientate himself looking at the sun considering the time of the day, or the star constellations at night. If you happen to see an isolated house equipped with a satellite dish, you can assume that it will be orientated towards the south. The altitude can be estimated - even if not very accurate - on the basis of the plant species you encounter on your way. During the touring, the use of the altimeter turns out to be very useful, as this tool enables you to know in real time your present altitude. The altimeter needs to be calibrated every time you pass a known altitude reference.
On the ground, there are almost always continuously natural or anthropoid - sometimes unexpected - benchmarks: these can be prominent rock formations, streams, springs but also bridges, buildings, ruins, electric or hydraulic lines or telecommunication installations.
