Preparation for the activity An insider’s tip: A small bottle of tea tree oil.

This small bottle can help with just about anything, fits into any rucksack and is your ideal tour companion. A drop of this oil reduces any inflam­mation caused by minor injuries, athlete’s foot or insect bites. Its aroma masks odours, so you can use it for washing on long tours. Be careful – don’t let it get into your eyes because it burns! If you become ill when hiking, dilute a drop of tea tree oil with some water and drink it. Even gargling it helps – e.g. if you have an inflam­mation of the gums or a sore throat.