Climbing and Mountaineering in South America: What To Expect And How To Prepare

Trekking is one of the most rewarding challenges that an active, outdoor-loving person can experience, and there’s no better place to trek than South America. From stunning mountainous landscapes to breathtaking waterfalls, the scenery makes the effort worth it. However, in order to successfully complete one of these treks, you must be prepared. Here’s our guide on what to expect and how to prepare.

1. Build Your Leg Strength

Even if you’re already very fit, you must train for your trek. Just because you can hike for days in your normal environment, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to fare the same at peak altitude. Getting stuck in a climate you’re not used to could be disastrous, so start your training as soon as possible. Kandoo’s Aconcagua climb is around 18 days long, so you can see that fitness is the key to success here. Focus on your general fitness and stamina, but also include some leg-based cardio in your routine. Cycling is particular good for this, but also be sure to include squats and lunges with additional weights.

2. Invest in Some Good Shoes

Throughout your trek, you are going to be relying on your feet. Making sure that you’re wearing properly fitted hiking boots is a must. Be sure to get water resistant boots that have a good amount of ventilation, as the terrains you’ll be facing will be tough and different. Be sure to wear them in properly before your trek, too.

3. Stay Hydrated

This point may sound kind of obvious to you if you’re reading it from the safety and comfort of your own home, but staying hydrated whilst on a trek is one of the single most important aspects that will affect the success of your trip. Treks are long, and you might decided to bring less water to reduce the overall weight you’re carrying. However, this can lead to reduced energy levels and can vastly reduce the efficiency of your body, and can put your life in danger. Place hydration as one of your biggest priorities.

4. Get Used to a Backpack

If you’re an avid day hiker, you might not have had much experience with hiking with a backpack. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as it looks, and while on the trail, every additional pound can make a difference. In order to become accustomed to this extra weight, practice hiking with a pack as early as possible. It’s a good idea to bring a pack with you when you hike anyway, to carry your hiking essentials such as food and water, medical supplies and emergency equipment in case anything goes wrong. This will ensure your success on the trail.

5. Know What to Expect

Thanks to the digital age, we have a lot of useful information at our fingertips, and this includes details about any trek you want to do. What this means is that you can look up detailed information about your proposed trek so that you can plan for every little part of it accordingly. If you know what to expect on your trek, particularly in the varied terrain that South America is known for, then you will have more chance of successfully completing the trek without issue.

If you’re thinking about embarking on a South American trek, you’re going to be exposed to many different landscapes each with different levels of terrain. In order to ensure your success on these treks, it’s important to properly prepare and train for all the conditions you’re going to be facing. Use this guide to prepare for your South American trek and have a successful trip.