Tag: Camping

Top 8 Trekking Foods and Meals

We all love food, but eating while on a trek is a little trickier than it seems. While trekking, we need to keep in mind our stamina and how much we can carry without any spoilage or spillage. It isn’t just about the fact that you have to eat so that you stay active and energetic throughout the trek, but it is also about the fact that you enjoy what you eat. Food is not just food, but an emotion to many. So why compromise on taste when you are trekking? Don’t you worry, here are the top 8 foods and meals that you can carry while on a trek and still enjoy eating them.

  1. Instant Oatmeal

              Be it Quaker Oats or Saffola Oats, Indian market has quite a few of these magic foods. They are not only healthy and easy to carry in your backpack, but cooking them is hassle-free and quick. And if you are worried about the taste, don’t be! From Chinese flavored oats to Indian masaledar oats, there is a wide range of tasty flavors to choose from. Oatmeal is packed with B vitamins and manganese and are a great source of carbs. Try choosing the right oatmeal by reading the ingredients. Avoid the ones that contain added sugar as they are unhealthy for trekking or any activity that requires one to have high stamina.

2. Powdered Milk

            Dairy products are a big no for trekkers and backpackers. Dairy products usually need refrigeration and can get spoiled very easily. But powdered milk contains almost the same amount of nutrients that fresh milk might contain. Like fresh milk, powdered milk is a great source of protein, calcium and potassium. As Indians, we love our chai and powdered milk is a bonus if you want to drink chai on the go. Carrying them in your backpacks is easy as they are powdered and hence, dry. Remember your childhood when your mom used to tell you how healthy drinking milk is? Well, a trekker can apply that while trekking too with this product.


           3. Dried Fruits

Fresh fruits are juicy and yummy, but on treks, they are perishable and sticky. Dried fruits are healthy and can be stored for a long time. Dried fruits are rich in nutrients like fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and carbs. Especially raisins are said to contain resveratrol that is very good for heart health. Dried fruits are a great snack option for trekkers who are needed to eat less, but often. These can also be sprinkled all over your bowl of oats so that your meal is not only yummy, but also pleasing to the eyes.

4. Protein Bars

                   Proteins are great for your muscles and take a long time to digest, hence keeping you full and off the pain of hunger. Protein bars have a long shelf-life and do not need refrigeration. Also, are you vegan? Then do not worry because there are a few companies that make vegan protein bars, just make sure you check the ingredients before purchasing. Like the name of the product suggests, these are high in protein and are made to please your palate.

5. Preserved Meats

              If you are a meat lover and eating vegetarian food makes you feel incomplete, you can opt for preserved meat. Salami and pepperoni are taste great and have good shelf-life. These meats are low in moisture and high in sodium content. But like any processed foods, they can be harmful to the health if eaten too often. Hence consume them in less numbers and you are good to go!

6. Poha (Flattened Rice)

                 Poha is one of the main breakfast dishes for us Indians. Some like it with spices and peanuts while some prefer it soaked in milk. For trekking, it is easy to soak poha in the powdered milk you mix with water. Avoid adding sugar because like I mentioned before, sugar might give you instant energy, but it is not healthy while on treks as it can slow you down.

7. Sprouts

                Sprouts like green grams, horse grams, etc. are again a great choice of snacks while hiking or backpacking. Even as children we were forced to eat sprouts by our parents for its nutritional value. They are rich in nutrients like vitamins, C, A and K, protein, fiber and many more. They just require overnight soaking and can be eaten with a pinch of salt or even just like that.  

8. Nuts and Seeds

               If you are not allergic to nuts or seeds, this is a snack option you can count on. Just like dried fruits, they are moisture-free and have a long shelf-life. They are said to be high in calories even though they are tiny and this just tells us how great they are as a trekking snack! Almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are some examples of nuts and seeds you can carry while trekking.

                 The length or the duration of your trek should not matter, healthy, durable and portable food and meals are a must when you are a trekker. Life is short and making memories is a must. As a trekker, you are exploring nature and making some beautiful memories. Eat healthy and stay fit and do what you love doing – Trek!

Compiled by: Shrija Bhattacharya

shrija.b9@gmail.com

If you wish to go on a trek or a camp anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com

Differences Between Monsoon And Summer Treks

Monsoon treks are wet, lush green and splashy, while summer treks are more about sunshine on your face and sweat dripping down your back. But is this the only difference between a monsoon trek and a summer trek? To find out, you need to experience these seasonal treks to understand better. While some like the rain and some like the feel of the harsh sun right above their heads. Seasonal treks are all about your personal preferences. However, if you’re looking for the differences between these two seasonal treks, here are a few.

Seasonality

Monsoon treks are organised in the rainy season between the months of June to September, whereas summer treks are organised between the months of March to May. However, July and August have the heaviest rains in the western ghats and if you’re a rain-lover, this is the ideal time for you to take up trekking. If you’re a first-time trekker, you’d want to go trekking in the later monsoon months, so that the rain is not too harsh and your first-time trek experience is amazing.

Difficulty Level

Both the seasonal treks are equal on the difficulty scale. However, during monsoon treks, the rains are so heavy that even the walking trails have water flowing in them. And every stream that you will cross will have waist-deep water. The trails are very slippery and after it stops raining, there are leeches ready to suck your blood. If you like challenges, a monsoon trek is the perfect type of trek for you. Summer treks have no leeches, but if you don’t keep yourself hydrated during these types of treks, you will face the sun’s wrath. Trekking is a rigorous physical activity that involves a lot of sweating already. Hence, summer treks will churn out every ounce of energy inside you. The trails are dry and the streams you encounter will be very less on water content.

Clothing

It is generally advised by experienced trekkers to wear light clothing on both the treks because, even if it is monsoon, due to so much walking, your body will be sweating profusely anyway. However, raincoats are a must during monsoon treks. In terms of footwear, we’d advise you to wear waterproof or water-resistant shoes. Rain boots that reach up to your calves can also be worn to avoid leech attacks. During summer treks, clothes made of cotton, linen or breathable material is preferred. This will ensure air circulation and help your skin to breathe. Any comfortable shoes can be worn in this season’s treks, but do ensure that your footwear has good grip. Caps or hats are very important when it comes to summer treks as the sun shines harshly above your head.

Other Essentials To Carry

Basic trekking gear and necessities are a must for both the seasonal treks, but when it comes to monsoon treks, you must pack a few mosquito repellents and leech repellents. Even though cream-based repellents can be easily washed away by the rain, it is usually advised that you carry them. Salt and deodorants will help you keep the leeches away. Similarly, summer treks can also use mosquito repellants, but leeches aren’t a problem at this part of the year. Sunscreens are a must here as the sun’s rays can be harmful to your skin. Any sunscreen with SPF 30 or above is advisable.

Food Requirements

Food is an essential amenity at all times, especially when you are outdoors and are engaged in a physically exhausting activity like trekking. You need to eat less, but more often so that your body has enough energy to push through. During monsoon treks, cooking out in the campfires is difficult. Ensure that you collect enough dry wood at the outset, but even after that, cooking under the rain is not possible. Carry your meals in tiffin boxes and spare the effort of cooking on treks. In summer treks, cooking under the sky is not difficult, but it is often seen that the quest to stay hydrated often tend to fill your stomach with fluids and kill your appetite. Hence, eating well is kind of a challenge for both.

To make choice making easier for you, here are the top 5 monsoon and summer treks that Get Beyond Limits has to offer. You can check out our website for more details on these beautiful treks-

Monsoon Treks

  1. Kudremukh Trek
  2. Tadiandamol Coorg Trek
  3. Kodachadri Trek
  4. Nishani Motte Trek
  5. Galibeedu Peak Coorg Trek

          Summer Treks

  1. Gokarna Beach Trek
  2. Kodachadri Trek
  3. Nilgiris Waterfalls Trek
  4. Hampi Bouldering and Heritage Trek
  5. Chikmagalur Trek

As this monsoon season graces us with its presence, let’s make the most of it. Let’s trek under the rain and embrace nature in its most beautiful form. They say raindrops are like diamonds falling from the sky, so let’s soak in them and make memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re a person who loves the feel of raindrops against their skin, what are you waiting for? Book a monsoon trek with us now!

Compiled by: Shrija Bhattacharya

shrija.b9@gmail.com

If you wish to go on a trek anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com

Camping Or Trekking? How To Decide On A Weekend Getaway

Camping and trekking are both really fun activities to engage in if you’re an outdoorsy person. While camping is more about relaxing and getting to know nature in a more personal way, trekking is more rigorous and challenging. Both are fun, but it really depends from one person to another. And if you’re unsure as to which one to choose as your getaway from all the mundane things in life this weekend, here are a few differences, pros and cons of both camping and trekking to help you decide.

Itinerary

Camping ensures that you spend more time in your campsite while trekking is about walking miles and miles into the wilderness and explore the hidden gifts of nature. Hence the itinerary of both these outdoor activities differ greatly. Firstly, a camping itinerary might contain things that are more technical like, learning tent pitching, short hikes to see the sunset, etc. whereas a trekking itinerary might cater more to walking and less learning. To understand this better, here are the two short itineraries of Kudremukh Trek and Phunsukh Wangdu Isolated Camp that Get Beyond Limits offers –

Kudremukh Trek (short itinerary)

Day 0 – Pick up from Bangalore

Day 1 – Overnight journey till Balegal – 6 kms off-road jeep ride – Trek from Mullodi – Kudremukh Peak – Reach Base Camp – Campfire (if permitted by situations)

Day 2 – Base Camp – Somavati River – Walk/Jeep ride next to coffee farms – Bangalore

Phunsukh Wangdu Isolated Camp (short itinerary)

Day 1 – Leave Bangalore at 12pm – Introduction sessions – Self-sponsored lunch on the way – Reach campsite – Know Your Surroundings session – Tent pitching/Campsite setting up session – Hike to sunset – Campfire – Dinner next to the campfire – Story-sharing at campfire by everyone – Stargazing

Day 2 – Wake up for sunrise – Hike to Slide Hill – Breakfast – Depart for Bangalore – Reach Bangalore

Season

Trekking can be done in winter, monsoon and summer alike, but camping has its own problems in some seasons. For example, it is really difficult to enjoy camping in the monsoon season. The soil is damp and tent pitching becomes a problem, similarly, continuous rains can hinder a good campfire experience. If stargazing is something you want to experience while on a camp, it is very difficult to do so in the rainy season. Even trek destinations are based on seasonality. While some places are great for conducting monsoon treks, others are great for summer treks. Hence when it comes to outdoor activities like camping and trekking, seasonality plays a very important role.

Size of Groups

Even though solo treks are enjoyable, camping solo has no fun in it. While solo treks can help you escape the bustling city life and find your true self, camping solo will only make you feel more lonely. The highlight of a campsite is its campfire, now where is the fun in a campfire when there is no one around you to share stories and unwind. Plus, pitching a tent is also more fun when you have people who help you out.

Learning Curve

Learning new skills and experiences are the main attraction of both camping and trekking. However, camping has a higher learning curve as compared to trekking. Going out camping can teach you many things. For example, tent pitching sessions, campsite setting up sessions,etc. can teach you the technical aspects of a campsite building. Also, story-sharing sessions during campfires are a great means to share each other’s experiences and understand life better. It is often seen that campfires are places of great discussions and brainstorming. Trekking can teach you about nature and the environment around you. It will make you realise the importance of conserving nature and why city life is not that comfortable after all.

Preference

Like I mentioned earlier, your preference matters the most in this decision-making dilemma that you face. If you’re the kind of outdoorsy person that loves to just sit back, relax and indulge in great conversation with great minds amongst nature, camping might be your scene. But if you are into physically challenging activities that require lots of walking and exploring, trekking is the right choice. Hence it’s your call.

Camping or Trekking? The answer is deep within your heart. Understand what goes on in each of these activities and decide where your heart lies. Once that is sorted out, you will know exactly what to choose. So tell me, are you a camping person or a trekking person?

Compiled by: Shrija Bhattacharya

shrija.b9@gmail.com

If you wish to go on a trek or a camp anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com

Top 4 Spooky Stories That You Have To Share In Your Next Campfire

Campfires are the highlight of any camping experience. They help you socialize and create the mood by sharing stories that can chill your bones. Spooky stories have been a campfire tradition around the world since times immemorial. But the question is, are you a good storyteller? Or do you have great stories to share? Well, if the answer to these questions are no, here are the top 4 spooky stories that you have to share in your next campfire experience.

  1. Do Not Turn On The Light

Courtney and Ashley were roommates in college. The girls got along quite well and spent their free time together. One evening, the girls got ready and got out to head to a party.

As they got down the stairs, Ashley realized that she had forgotten her purse in the room. In a hurry, Ashley rushed into the room and without turning on the lights, she grabbed her purse and head to the party with Courtney. The night was fun and by the time it was 1am, Courtney felt sick and head back to the room, turned on the lights to change into her sleeping gown and went to bed. Ashley stayed back at the party as she had met a few of her college mates.

When Ashley got back to her room early in the morning, she saw the dead body of Courtney lying there lifeless with blood soaking her bed sheet. However, written on the wall above the bed were the words, “AREN’T YOU GLAD YOU DIDN’T TURN ON THE LIGHTS?”

    2. Be Careful What You Wish For

Sam was walking down a deserted street late at night, when he got pulled into an alley by an old man. Not wanting to be rude to an elderly person, Sam politely asked the man what he wanted. The old man smiled, “I want to grant you a wish.”

Sam laughed and wondered if he was talking to a lunatic. But he wanted to play along and have some fun at the end of it. So Sam controlled his laughter and seriously said, “I wish that you would leave me alone.”

The next day, police crowded the alley where Sam had been last night… alive. His dead body lay by the trash cans and a letter was tucked under his lifeless head. When a policeman named Josh opened the letter, it said, “IF YOU’D HAVE LEFT WITHOUT ASKING FOR ANYTHING, YOU’D BE ALIVE TODAY, BUT YOU WISHED TO BE ALONE! SO I LEFT YOU ALONE. YOU SHOULD’VE KNOWN TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.”  

   3. There Is Someone Under The Bed

Brad begins tucking his young son into bed when he tells him, “Daddy, check for monsters under my bed.” Brad laughs and looks under the bed for his son’s amusement and sees him, another him, under the bed, quivering and whispering with tears in his eyes, “Daddy, there’s someone on my bed!”

   4. Puppy In The Basement

Mommy told Kit to never go to the basement, but he wanted to see what was making that noise. It kind of sounded like a puppy and Kit wanted to see the puppy. So he opened the basement door and tiptoed down a bit. But soon he was yanked out by his mommy who kept yelling at him. She never yelled at him and thus he was sad and he cried that night. The next day, mommy nicely advised Kit to never go to the basement again and even gave him a cookie! This made him feel better, so he didn’t ask her why there was a boy in the basement making puppy noises, or why he had no hands or feet.       

Scared yet? Now that you know the top 4 spooky stories that can scare anyone at the campfire, remember to add a pinch of drama while narrating them. A little voice modulation and facial expression can always add to the scare!

Compiled by: Shrija Bhattacharya

shrija.b9@gmail.com

If you wish to go on a trek anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com