[JC] Preparing, completing and finishing a 4 day expedition [#1]

Hey, first guide so cut me some slack


Ok, so this is based on my own expedition which was in the Picos de Europa mountain range in spain.


One of the paths i walked.

Preperations

Fitness

So first up preperation's, your going to have to be quite fit to make it around even the easiest route (my route involved me climbing to 2000m above sea level). I suggest that you start training about two months before your expedition, Any training is good training.



Supplies

What will you need? A good idea is to take two tents, one for up the mountain/on the route and the outher for base camp. This means that when you return after 4 days you can get straight into a tent and go to sleep. Your also going to need a good sleeping bag I recoment at least a 3 season sleeping bag and if your attempting your expedition in the mountains a arctic sleeping bag is a good idea. Food, no it's not nice yummy food but its food none the less, boil in the bag meals are a great idea as you can use the ater you boiled it in for a hot drink. It's best to take on two hot meals a day breakfast and tea, keep lunch cold as it saves you time during the day. Snacking is encoraged as you can do it on the go and its a quick way to replace energy. Dextrose/outher brands of energy tablets are a great boost on the go. Water, key to life, is drunk a lot faster when your struggeling up a mountain than it would be on a normal day. you should have at least the capacity to carry 2L of water but 3 is recomended. Personally i had a 2L cammelback and a 1L sigg bottle for cooking. Clothing, take one spare set of clothes and you should be fine lightweight thermals are the best to take. Medical supplies, take plently of blister plasters and zinc oxide tape as blisters are killers on a long walk. Other; make sure you have a map of the area and a compass.


Blister plaster

Completing

Yes the walk will be tough and at times you will stuggle and want to quit. But keep thinking about outher things and you'll get round. Becasue of the weight your shoulders will be carrying you should get a bergan with chest and waist straps because the waist straps will take most of the weight and put it on your pelvis (which is designed to carry weight) and the chest straps will hold the bergan in nice and close and also get in on the correct part of your shoulder. On the subject of pain, if you feel any 'hotspots' on your feet stop as soon as you can and get some zinc oxide/a blister plaster on there or in a hour you'll have a nice fat blister.


(me) Take all rests availible to you!


I advise you swat up on your map reading and find out how many paces you do to 100 meters, this is incase of adverse weather conditions.


Evening chilling.


It will be hard but remember to keep going and always have a laugh when you can, the evenings are the best time for this get your tent up have some food and enjoy each outhers company. This is a great chance for you, once you've got into the rhythm of walking t enjoy the nature arond you.


Me going up up up

Finishing​

Final day! Your nearly done just half a days walking and you'll be back at a lvely camp site with a glass of water, some butter on bread lounging by the pool! But for now get this out of your mind, pack your camp up and get on the road. Lets jump 4 or so hours and were home, well at camp! Relaxing is not your first priority, getting unpacked is. Its more than likely your tent will need airing out so put it up and leave the inner out in the sun for a few hours. clothes should also be washed in the intrest of hygine and so should you. Afterwards see a doctor if you have any unusual injuries but fo blisters just sort them out and the your done!

Congratulations.


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A little basic, you should add pictures on equipment that you recommend people to take if they were to do something like this.

 

I like the guide because you explain it very well, but as JohnK said, it is basic and it would be much better if you could add pictures.

Anyways, pretty nice guide.

 

Yeh, didn't finish it and then forgot about it i may finish it up now

 

Interesting, different guide to see. I do a lot of hiking in the summer and I agree with some of the tactics you've listed for "keeping yourself going". You put in images of your trip in the guide very coherently and it makes for a very entertaining guide to read. I hope this is the first of many good ones.

 

Finished now!

Post any changes yo would like to see.

 

Haha, nice guide, the pictures made me giggle.

 

Nice guide. 9/10. Looking awesome here:

 

We were like 600m above sea level on a plateau and I just got into my sleeping bag and lay there :L

 

Great guide!
i went on a 10 night trip in Canada, so and a 5 night one as well. I really think you did a great job.
If you could explain how to waterproof your campground, that would be good

 

decent guide gear recommendations like the above said though. this would be hawt to do with a girl