TrekCafe Blog

Trekking is a very tedious task for your feet. They not only have to walk on rugged and traitorous terrain all day long, they have to do it with you and your heavy backpack on them. So to make your feet a little happier and by extension you as well, here is a short list to help you keep your feet dry and capable in your treks:

1. Hiking Shoes: The difference between good hiking shoes and poor ones could easily be the difference between a great trip and a leg/back/knee fiasco. All your equipment and the rough terrain are creating enormous amount of pressure on your feet and without the proper support sprained ankles sore feet, and a bad back are just a matter of time. Get yourself good hiking shoes, preferably water resistant – this is not the place to be cheap.
   A good tip for trekkers with new shoes: walk around with the shoes a little while before you go on long treks. Let the foot and the shoe get used to one another. This will help you avoid that “new shoe” sores you sometimes get during your first few long treks.
   Sports Sandals: So useful it’s simply a must have. Great for hikes, casual walks, can be used as a substitute flip flop and is basically the only other foot accessory you really need.
2. Flip flops: comfortable and handy, but takes up room in your already crowded pack. If you have sandals and not much room, just leave them at home. Besides, since this is usually not a very expensive product, if you must you can always get a pair during your trip.
3. Sneakers/Formal Shoes: Unless you have a really good reason to take them (”My sister is getting married on the top of the Kilimanjaro”) – leave them at home. Your going on a trip, not a formal dance.
4. Waterproofing Wax: Guards your shoe and keeps it from getting wet. Not too expensive and it’s worth it.
5. Orthopedic foot support: Not only for those with problems. The more support your foot has, the better. Can help lower the pressure and give you better posture.
   Tip: Should you decide to get additional foot support, do it before you get your shoes and try your new shoes with the support surface inside the shoe to insure maximum comfort while walking.
6. Socks: Usually regular socks are ok, but if you fear your feet will get cold or tire you can also get some hiking socks. Nice to have, but if you don’t want to spend more than you already have, don’t feel bad about not getting the best socks in the world, just make sure they have no holes… J

To all of you Trekkers out there, here are a few helpful tips on how to avoid Mosquito Bites while you trek:

1. Eat lots of garlic and vitamin B1 – Same as your boy/girlfriend, mosquitoes are reluctant to kiss you should you smell like garlic. So if you’re a garlic person, you now have a very good excuse to make your food as stinky as you like. For all you people with romantic plans, you can use store bought garlic/B1 tablets availablr in your nearest drugstore.
2. Do not stay next to standing water sources – Mosquitoes love lakes, puddles and other places where the water isn’t moving. If possible, don’t camp out next to such places.
3. Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors – Remember: A mosquito can’t bite what it can’t see J).To complete your protection perimeter, Clothing may also be sprayed with repellent.
4. Wear Light colored cloths – Many mosquitoes use their vision to locate targets from a distance; dark clothing and rich foliage are excellent attractants.
5. Put some rosemary or sage on hot coals – Once the smell starts spreading around the fire, you will be mosquito free at last.
6. Always sleep with a mosquito net – Don’t forget to check for holes regularly.
7. Don’t eat salty foods – Eating salty foods can cause you to produce higher-than-normal amounts of lactic acid, which is basically like shouting “Hey mosquitoes! Lunch is ready, come and get it…”
8. Use any of the following natural plant oils as natural mosquito repellents: Lemon Eucalyptus Oil, Citronella Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Rosemary Oil, Peppermint Oil
9. Wipe off perspiration on a regular basis – Perspiration attracts mosquitoes via the chemicals contained within. Perspiration increases the humidity around your body, which also attracts mosquitoes.
10. Keep your body heat low while outdoors – Mosquitoes are attracted to heat. As long as your cooler then your partners, you’re more likely to be the one no one understands how they never get bitten…

Hello again to all the Travelers,

Nowadays we are working on creating a new look for TrekCafe - it will allow you to reach all the tools and information on the site quickly and easily (and of course it will also look better J).
The new design is suppose to be ready in about a month.

Along with the new design we will also have a shiny new content system with lots of travel information on different backpacking destinations across the globe. We trust this information will be very useful for all you travelers out there and also for the ones who are just in their trip planning phase.

Have an exciting Trek!
TrekCafe Team

Hello and Welcome to TrekCafe blog!

After almost 2 years we finally launched TrekCafe – a Geographic Social Network for travelers around the world.

TrekCafe automatically identifies your specific Travel location and displays other travelers nearby you – in the same city as you, so you can connect with them and go for a trek, move to the next travel place together, meet for a beer or just chat.

TrekCafe Also aims to become a One-Stop-Shop for all your internet needs during the trip – you can upload photos, write a travel blog, find information about recommended places, book flights or hostels, buy travel gear or tickets for events and much much more.

Final note before we end our first post: as you probably noticed, we are still in our beta stage, so please be patient with the site. we’d love to hear your comments and ideas.

We wish you a Fantastic travel experience and hope you find TrekCafe useful and fun!

Travel Passionately!
TrekCafe Team