In the previous chapters we covered various important aspects of alpine style hiking. Chapter 1 covered different map sources to plan your alpine hiking routes. Chapter 2 discussed various techniques used for navigation in the mountains. Chapter 3 elaborated on various aspects of planning your alpine style journey. Chapter 4 covered the must-carry gears for the minimalist fast hiker. In Chapter 5 we will take a look at the various types of terrains and other landmarks the alpine hiker comes across in his Himalayan journey:

Module 1 - Settlements
Module 2 - Trails
Module 3 - Valleys & Streams
Module 4 - High Ranges & Passes
Module 5 - Forests & Meadows
Module 6 - Rock & Ice (Scree, Glaciers, Moraines)
Module 7 - Snow

In this chapter let's take a look at the different types of human settlements we can encounter along the way in the Himalayan terrain. Settlements are very important for independent hikers - they provide guidance, offer food resupply and safe night shelter. During the 2020 lockdown myself and a few volunteers mapped 32 thousand settlements across the Western Himalayas in Open Street Maps, a true treasure for the alpine style explorer.