Ted Weirum tips for warm weather trekking

When we were searching for the perfect person to try out our new warm weather trekking range, the Abisko Midsummer Collection, we couldn’t think of anyone better than Ted Weirum. As a YouTuber, his channel is packed full of helpful tips for trekking, camping and gear reviews that are very popular with the outdoor community. Ted is originally from Sweden so warm weather trekking in a tropical climate is a relatively new experience for him. Now, with a six day trek in Thailand under his belt, he has shared with us his top ten tips to help you plan your next warm weather expedition.

Ted talks us through his top ten tips for trekking in warm weather.

1. Take regular breaks

Ted’s first tip is to take regular breaks. This is important on any trek, but possibly even more so in warm weather. Don’t attempt to trek continuously, instead make sure to take regular breaks to cool off and re-energise.

2. Take care of your feet

Your feet may be your most important possession when you are trekking, so it is necessary to ensure you take care of them. During your breaks, take off your shoes, and air out your feet. If you have been trekking for some time, change your socks to a fresh pair. Ted also recommends that you take out your insoles and air them, separately to your shoes, to dry everything before setting off on the next leg of your journey.

3. Keep hydrated

It is easy to get dehydrated when it is warm outside. As your body will cool itself by sweating, you will lose more water than you would in milder climates. This water needs to be replaced or you will end up dehydrated. How much water you need to bring with you depends on the heat, the distance that you plan to trek, the weight of the load you plan to carry and of course, on you personally. Ted recommends to bring 4l of water to last for one day of warm weather trekking.

On this particular multi-day trek, Ted was able to replenish his water supply nightly at campsites along the route. More often than not, in tropical climates, any water you may find along the route will not be safe to drink. A water filter, or purification tablets, are ways to deal with this. An even better option is to do your research thoroughly before embarking on a multi-day trek in warm weather and find a trail where you will be able to re-fill your water daily.

4. Listen to your body

This is an important tip in warm weather environments, as the risk of heat stroke or dehydration is very real. It’s important to always be aware of how you feel, and listen to your body. Ted recommends not to tape your feet before starting out on your warm weather trek, as the tape (if placed incorrectly) can cause additional blisters. On the other hand, if you already know where your pain points are, and you know that you are about to embark on a difficult trek, with a heavy load, then tape those points to ensure to keep your feet as fresh as possible.

5. Eat enough during the trail

It is common not to feel hungry when you are in a warm weather environment, especially if it is not something you are used to. In fact, this was one of the points that Ted said surprised him the most on the trail. Often this is because you are drinking a lot more water than you would normally. But it is still incredibly important to re-energise and get your fuel back. Carry snacks to eat along the trail, such as nuts or an energy bar.  When you have a longer stop, or stop for the evening, make sure to eat a full meal so that your body can refuel and be ready for the next day.

6. Sun protection and ventilation

Sun protection is not something to be underestimated in a warm weather environment. Temperatures can soar during the middle of the day, and if you know that you will be trekking through an area without much shade, it is advisable to time that section during the morning or evening hours. Make sure to bring sunscreen with you, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and apply every morning. A hat is a great addition to protect you from the sun. Ted recommends to wear a wide-brimmed hat such as the Abisko Summer Hat to protect your neck as well as your face. Remember to take off your hat when you are in the shade, to keep from overheating.

7. Wear long trousers

Sometimes when you walk in the jungle the lower parts of the terrain can be pretty rough, so a pair of long trousers is a good solution. Just make sure that you have zippers or a ventilation system so you can open them up and get some ventilation to the legs. From the products that he tested, Ted recommends the Abisko Midsummer Trousers which have built in zippers on the side to release excess heat.

8. Extra set of clothes for night

When you are trekking throughout the day in a warm weather environment, it is very likely that your clothes will get sweaty and wet. Ted advises to bring an extra t-shirt to change into drier clothes at night - just make sure to bring a light-weight, packable solution such as the Abisko Sun-Hoodie.

9. Don’t forget your headlamp

It can get dark very quickly in warm weather environments. This means that it is more important than ever to have an easily accessible headlamp with you - and an extra pair of batteries just in case!

10. Adjust your backpack for comfort

How comfortable your backpack is depends on how you load it, distributing the weight evenly can be a real game-changer. As you walk make sure to adjust the chest, shoulders and hip straps to continuously redistribute the weight and avoid getting sore in any one area. On this trek Ted opted to carry the Keb 52 backpack.

Trekking is a great way to explore the outdoors and can take you to places that you may otherwise never get to see. For Ted, trekking is more than just about exploring new places, it is a lifelong passion. If you follow Ted’s simple tricks and tips for having a safe and comfortable warm weather outdoor trek, you will be well prepared.