Off-Track Backpacking » trip preparation

Preparing for Altitude Sickness

Tanya — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:09:58 +0000

If you ask me if I’m scared of the Kilimanjaro climb, my answer is no. Sleeping in a tent for 6 nights, no available bathrooms on the mountain, hiking every day for 7 days or being exposed to the cold doesn’t bother me. I know I can deal with the uncomfort I may be facing. But if you wonder what my biggest fear is. Here it goes: I’m worried about experiencing altitude sickness once I reach a certain altitude.

I tried researching ways to train my body to altitude but it’s kind of difficult to do so when I’m not surrounded by mountains over 1,500m. Before booking my flight to Tanzania, I was planning to visit my friend in Vancouver and do some hiking there but that plan was immediately cancelled once my trip to Kilimanjaro was booked. Why? I’m strapped on cash! But hiking the Rockies would have definitely been a great training program for me.

So what am I doing? I’m getting myself in shape. I train as much as I can, when I can. My training program is varied. I’ve been doing 30 mins on the step master along with 30 minutes on the treadmill with a maximum incline. My rule of thumb is not using my hands to grip myself because that’s cheating! I’ve been continuing my aerobic classes to make sure I don’t lose my cardio. Now that it’s starting to get cold, I am going to pick up jogging outdoor to prepare my lungs for the cold.

I’m no professional trainer but I’ve been active all my life. I’m trying to use my little knowledge of training to try to successfully prepare for this climb. I’m thinking that if I can make sure I’m fit enough, then I’ll only have to deal with adapting to the altitude once I’m on the mountain. So again, if you ask me what my fear is, check out the video below.

H1N1 Shot May be Required when Flying to Some Countries

Tanya — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:36:06 +0000

Yes, I know, we don’t want to hear about H1N1 anymore because most of us have had an overdose of H1N1 news in the last few months. Although deciding whether to take the H1N1 vaccin is a personal decision, there is a possibility that some countries require to see proof of H1N1 vaccination in order to enter the country. As we are entering the busiest travel time of the year- The Holidays- it may be important for you to read about it and make sure that the country you are flying to doesn’t require a vaccination certificate.

Some governments have already imposed their own screening measures: If you are traveling to China, you may get stopped for medical examination if they believe you contracted the virus. Consequently, you’d be quarantined for at least 7 days. In Japan, officials are also conducting medical examinations on-board planes if they believe that you have the virus. In India, you may have to fill out a medical questionaire prior to entering the country.

Every country currently has different requirements regarding the H1N1 flu but for all of you Canadians who plan to travel in the next few weeks or months, do make sure to consult the following site for more information regarding the country you are traveling in: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp. Be safe! You don’t want to spend 2 weeks in bed while on vacation!

Just for the record, I did get the shot last week- it wasn’t painful (at all!) and my muscle was just a little sore for the next 2 days. There were no irritations or complications. I decided to take it because I may sit next to someone on the plane who has contracted the virus and that last thing I would want for myself is to be sick in bed during 2 out of the 3 weeks in Brazil. Think about it…. And for those of you not traveling anywhere during the Holidays, do remember that you will be surrounded by many people (family & friends) during this time. It’s an easy way to contract the virus.

Preparing for Brazil

Tanya — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:36:24 +0000

For the last two years, I’ve been talking about going on my solo backpacking trip to Brazil. After falling in love with Argentina a few years ago, I am now ready to fall deeply in love with Brazil. I was initially supposed to pack my backpack and leave last December but then the recession hit North America and I was jobless. One year later and with much excitement, I’m finally getting ready for my solo 3-week Brazilian adventure.

Itinerary:

1^st week: Jungle Tour in the Amazon, trekking, living with a tribe, camping, wildlife

2^nd week: Rio de Janeiro, sight-seeing, hand-gliding, nightlife

3^rd week: Bahia, beach, beach, beach! Surfing, Sand-surfing (if possible) and just chilling!

Although going on some Brazilian expedition sounds fun and only fun, there is some preparation involved. First off, Canadians need a tourist visa to enter the country. The cost is CDN $91. I have to admit that the process of obtaining one wasn’t too brutal. The next step is taking an appointment at the Travel Clinic to receive two shots: Yellow fever and Typhoid fever shots. Total cost of my visit was CDN $150. These vaccines are mandatory when going to the Amazon. You’ll need to provide an International Certificate proving that you received the yellow fever shot to enter the country. Although I don’t normally plan my tours prior to arriving in a country, I decided to select a tour operator for my adventure in the Brazilian Amazon. The main reason is because it’s an expensive tour and I want to make sure I’ll get my money’s worth. I want my experience to be maximized at its fullest potential! The second reason is that I want to be safe, regardless of the craziness involved in this adventure. More info to come on the tour operator after my trip.

I currently have my visa and vaccines. As I’m getting closer to the date, I’m starting to get nervous. I’ve never been to Brazil, I don’t speak Portuguese, I’m landing directly in the jungle and I won’t have access to a telephone for 6 days. Did I mention that I’ll be alone? It’s scary, yet exciting! I can’t wait to meet random people to share stories them, learn about a new culture, eat and obviously, explore!

Other than a high-level plan of where I’ll be for 3 weeks, I haven’t planned anything else. I don’t know when I’ll be flying out of Manaus or where I’ll be staying in Rio and Bahia. I’m thinking of winging it once I’m there so I can save some $$ on flights… let the wind take me away!