As of 1st April 2023, solo trekking was announced to be no longer possible for any fellow trekkers. And this seemed to have upset them a lot as the social media started to fill with complaints. However, the effective implementation is yet to be seen in Everest.
Nepal’s name has been one of the most designated countries globally for trekking for years. Gifted by the god, nature boasts itself, and calls souls to surrender to the hills, forests, and mountains of Nepal. The fiscal year 2019-2020 recorded a staggering 1,71,000 hikers across Nepal, wildering in the woods and snows of Nepal. Trekking has always pinnacle the roaring spirits of hiking enthusiasts in Nepal.
However, since the 1st of April, 2023 the joy of “Solo Trekking” has been confined by the statement released, or so does the fellow trekkers claim. Results surely have dangled expressions of distress and disappointment in the faces of Mountain Lovers. However, the necessary addressing of only hiking with a group and registered guide has stronger and more protagonistic advantages, inclusively for both the Trekkers and Nepalese Trekking Industry.
Today, let us enlighten ourselves as to why banning solo trek is the optimal and favourable decision. Diving Back to the Past -“The umbrella organization Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal has been pushing for the ban on solo trekking, since as early as 2009”, says Nilhari Bastola, the organization’s president. However, the late inauguration of this news comprises two main aspects to highlight: the generation of ample employment opportunities and the prioritizing of the safety of hikers.
You are helping to uplift the Economy of Nepal-a a third world country
Firstly, let us narrate lights on the increase of employment opportunities, as a result of banning solo-trek in Nepal. Before the announcement of the ban on solo trekking, many trekkers loved to do the entire trek alone. Now that the initiation has proceeded, an estimated increment of 40,000 trekking guides in Nepal has been projected, which might sound uncanny, yet this suggests a massive surge in employment being catered in Nepal. Tourism, introducing itself as the primary asset of revenue and GDP contributor in Nepal, this radiant hike in employment opportunities definitely helps develop the tourism sector in Nepal with increasing cash flow. Installment of modern-day gadgets to ease up, develop, advance, and sweeten the overall trekking experience would be achieved.
Your Safety has been the Priority now
Now, let’s talk about the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card, a mandatory document vitalized for safe trekking in Nepal. Trekking undoubtedly isn’t a children’s playground, it synonyms an intense battlefield, conquering one’s own thoughts and body as the demon. Hence it is extremely crucial to engage in training 2 to 3 weeks prior to the trek.
Tailing more on safety, a trekking journey accompanied by a guide could easily help track and avoid the wrong path. Following the instructions of the guide and playing along with the group would keep everyone safe. Also, the guides instruct you with breathing techniques, tips, and tricks to make the trek feasible. A well-arranged first aid along with certified usage skills is something a guide embraces.
The spirit of ‘ESPRIT DE CORPS” meaning unity is strength is caramelized within the cold breath of a group of trekkers motivating one another into conquering the trek successfully. Since a systematized, registered, and government-authorized trekking agency owns priority to organize safe trekking expeditions, the TIMS card, necessary for trekking in these regions, is exclusively granted to individuals who have secured a guide via a government-approved trekking agency.
What makes a trek appreciable despite the dispersed forests, Rocky Mountains, slipper trails, deep gorges but most of all intensive dreary treks that truly scrutinize a trekker’s will? The answer is companionship to keep your monotony a million miles away.
You can even see the results of solo trekking in worst-case scenarios in missing trekkers. My heart sank when I saw many trekkers still missing for years and few faced the worst situation alone.
Why Companion during Trekking is preferable, especially in Nepal?
1. Considering safety for women:
Certain scenarios instruct partiality and a 50 percent chance of right or wrong prevails despite the most pure and harmless intentions of a trekking guide instructing a female trekker. Any situation must be individualized and not generalized. Female trekkers have reportedly explained the feeling of discomfort while trekking solo. To eliminate the emergence of such feelings, a group trekking or company of a fellow guide, especially a women, lessens the constant state of anxiety and fear. Surely it could be a healthy ally of women, nailing the trek with laughs, jokes. As long as there is a pack to help and protect you, you will have a mental soundness and sense of safety.
2. Cultural Sensitivity:
Trekking inculcates tremendous and vigorous physical dominance to surf across days, walking through those Trekking boots and achy feet. To handle this situation and obtain rest, villages and nearby settlements are a must. Therefore seeking shelter in a culturally unfamiliar habitation, having a guide could best possibly help you communicate to a great pedestal with the natives and locals. Conversation could result as simple as asking for some food, where a translator is handy to spoon-feed you every minuscule of information ensuring a leisurely and indispensably comfortable stay. Particularly following days of exhausting trekking, the last thing you’d want is to expend your remaining energy attempting to communicate in an unfamiliar language, all while relying solely on yourself in the event of a solo trek mishap.
3. Economic advancement:
The math is clear and uninterrupted through any disapproval. It is a well-known fact that eliminating guideless solo trekking policies and replenishing with a guided group trekking regime disparts a chronicle of employment opportunities. With an increment in the number of quality guides, so does the quality of service catered increases uplifting the overall Trekking sector in Nepal. More flow of tourists all thanks to the perfect service showered by the trained and specialized guides in return maintains and grows the trekking industry manifesting greater and destined economic advancement. The GDP of the country could significantly flourish and so would the reputation in the international market.
4. Socializing and forming friendships:
Life revolves around the ethereal factual truth that warmth, happiness, and togetherness drive human emotion. It is without a single hair of doubt, that trekking in a group would feel like a family gliding through the wonders of nature enjoying and having a perfect get-together. One gets to meet individuals representing different counties, and nationalities, with variant skin colors, and mother tongues all united by the joy of hiking together. Socializing becomes unexpectedly easier and empathetic connections wind up forming friendships that might possibly last a lifetime if nurtured well. Friendships could evolve into hiking partners for future endeavors and treasure hunting, haha!, just humor!
5. Reference to other countries:
Imitation is undeniably a prevailing subject that reverberates across the globe and is expected to an even greater extent. Trends, birthed by a single country, swiftly take root and traverse into realms beyond. In this context, the prohibition of solitary trekking, coupled with the encouragement of group trekking under the guidance of expert leaders, stands as a paradigm ready for emulation by other nations. From a global perspective, the alleviation of poverty, the reduction of wealth disparities, and the mitigation of wealth-based discrimination could come to fruition.
Now, Let’s address some dilemmas that might pop up in your smart brain!
What is a TIMS Card and why is it necessary?
TIMS Card is a permit authorized by the trekking corporation ensuring all your trek plans in Nepal. This card is mandatory, especially after the implementation of a new law spotlighting the indispensability of trek guides. Depending upon area to area the pricing of the TIMS cards varies.
Conclusion
As the saying goes “Awesome physical health automatically leads to better mental health”. I strongly urge those non-hikers to detonate the lethargy deposited in their bones and indulge in the bliss of trekking. Not to divert from the crux of this very blog, I readily expect that I was helpful in changing your attitude to opt for guided hiking for your safety. So let me ask you a question! Would your 70-year-old self be proud of you depending upon the level of healthy choices you amassed during your juvenile? It’s upon you to engage in well-organized, guided group treks, or to risk your life in the uncertain trail where no one might be there to help you even when you scream for 3-days, while slowly drifting away.
So with a guide, do you think you will join us on nect adventure in following treks?
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