| Walking in the Mountains has become one of today's | | | | tackling any rock climbs or crossing streams and |
| most popular outdoor pursuits. Gone is the earlier | | | | rivers. Ice axe in Winter. |
| image of a pastime for strangely dressed eccentric | | | | (6) Enough food and drink for the day:- Water or |
| old people dressed in woolly hats, hobnail boots, | | | | fruit drinks(hot or cold) Avoid Tea or Coffee they |
| corduroy trousers and tweed jackets. Modern | | | | help to dehydrate you. DO NOT TAKE ALCOHOL. |
| outdoor clothing is actually a multi million pound | | | | Alcohol not only dehydrates you it will help to bring |
| business that often has more to do with a fashion | | | | on the effects of hypothermia very quickly. Easily |
| statement then practical use. | | | | digestible foods will get energy into your system |
| Cutting through the preverbal crap and pushing | | | | much quicker. Bananas and dried fruit are a better |
| fashion statements to one side, lets take an actual | | | | source of blood sugar then chocolate. |
| look at what is needed for an enjoyable day on the | | | | (7) Plan your Route:- Plan your walk and have an |
| hills. The following Ten Items are essential, not just | | | | alternative route to use if the weather is poor. Don't |
| for comfort but for actual survival and safety. | | | | take on more then you can cope with. Start with |
| (1) Warm clothing consisting of:- Base layer:- Under | | | | simple walks and build up your skills over a period of |
| shirt or T-shirt, under clothes and Socks. (Thin liner | | | | time. Build in escape routes into your walk should |
| socks and thicker walking socks) Mid layer:- Fleece or | | | | conditions deteriorate. Tell someone where you are |
| woollen top. Trousers or shorts in the summer (Do | | | | going and what time you expect to return. Leave a |
| not wear jeans, they hold water and will freeze on | | | | note in the glove compartment of your car. (If the |
| you in Winter. Cotton also holds moisture so avoid. | | | | car is still in the car park after several days and |
| Man made fabrics such as polyester do not hold | | | | comes to the attention of the emergency services |
| moisture and dry much quicker.) Outer Layer:- | | | | then at least a route note in the car will give them |
| Waterproof Jacket (Breathable is best for comfort.) | | | | something to work with.) |
| Waterproof trousers, Hat, Gloves. Sun hat in the | | | | (8) Check the weather:- Don't leave it to chance. |
| summer. | | | | Always check the weather outlook a few days |
| (2) Footwear:- 2 Season boots for Summer, they are | | | | before you go. Avoid extreme weather conditions |
| light weight, waterproof, slightly flexible and have | | | | such as high winds and lightning. At the first sound of |
| good ankle support. 3 to 4 Season boots for Winter, | | | | thunder, GET DOWN. You can survive getting wet, |
| they are tough, rigid soles that can take crampons, | | | | but it is unlikely that you will survive a lightning strike. |
| waterproof with strong ankle support. Avoid | | | | If you are caught out crouch down on your mat or |
| footwear without ankle support. Trainers in winter or | | | | rucksack at the lowest point you can find, do not |
| on wet grass can be lethal. | | | | hold on to anything metal and wait for the storm to |
| (3) Rucksack:- 25 to 35 litre rucksack is ideal as a day | | | | pass. |
| sack. Choose one that has a breathable back | | | | (9) Comfort:- Use a liner sock under your thick sock. |
| support, hip band and adjustable shoulder straps. The | | | | This helps to cut down blisters which if left can make |
| more money you pay the more features the pack | | | | your day miserable. Don't try going out in new boots, |
| will have. For example, wand pockets, camel pack | | | | break them in first. Take a pack of tissues for those |
| compartment for water container and external | | | | essential, personal moments. |
| waterproof cover. Dont carry unnecessary stuff in | | | | (10) Be Prepared:- Have a good nights sleep the night |
| the bag, otherwise you may start to regret bringing | | | | before. Avoid going on the beer the night before. |
| along the unwanted weight in your bag | | | | You will be very dehydrated and will tire very quickly. |
| (4) Map and Compass:- In the UK, Explorer maps are | | | | Have a good breakfast before starting. If you are |
| ideal, they give excellent detail and are clear to follow. | | | | not to worried about having the latest outdoor |
| Try to pick a detailed map of about two and a half | | | | designs or syles in clothing. |
| inches to the mile, these show fences and walls that | | | | Take a look in the discount stores or the various |
| can help as guide lines to follow. Unless the map is | | | | factory outlet stores who can often provide you |
| laminated, keep it in a waterproof case. Maps will fall | | | | with first class equipment at rock bottom prices. |
| apart when wet. There are various compasses on | | | | Don't skimp on the essential equipment,:- ie. Boots, |
| the market, however try to get one that has the | | | | safety equipment, maps, compasses, waterproofs. |
| needle suspended in fluid, such as a Silva Compass. | | | | They may just save your life. Most of all enjoy the |
| The essential factor is learn how to use a Compass | | | | experience. Its not about endurance or taking your |
| and read a map before venturing onto the hills. Dont | | | | body to the limit. Its about finding petranquillity, |
| rely on just a GPS device. Always take a map and | | | | becoming one with nature, enjoying the company of |
| compass. | | | | your companions and perhaps having a good night in |
| (5) Safety equipment:- Whistle, Torch with spare | | | | the pub afterward to boast about your days activity, |
| battery, (LED last longer) First aid kit, Bivvy bag and | | | | or sitting around the camp fire to the early hours |
| a spare set of laces. (These can be used either for | | | | reliving those great moments on the hills. |
| your boots or to tie a broken strap) Rope if you are | | | | |