'I was born before Goretex was
invented and survived! Judging by today's advertisements this must be a
minor miracle. Some of the lessons learned stand out, here's what I remember
most.'
TOPICS INCLUDED
Equipment
Walking technique
Safety
The Countryside Code
Equipment
A
high percentage of walks on our web can be completed without special clothing or
equipment. My advice is to start with what you have already got and when you are sure
you will enjoy walking begin to replace your equipment on the basis of what you
need most. Outdoor equipment shops are commonplace on the High Street and
you will find them near popular walking areas too. Generally speaking specialist shops employ staff with greater
background knowledge. On the other hand, high
street shops stock good value items that are great for everyday use too. Keep an
eye on both to get the best deal.
Equipment varies in quite subtle ways and what to purchase can
be a difficult decision. Realistically you need to buy equipment suited to the
area within an hours drive of your home because, realistically, that is where
you will do most of your walking! Shops stock what sells best, if you have your
eye on something obscure that is not available it may be because it's unsuitable for the
area in which you intend to walk. Beware of a stockist that only markets one brand, profit
motives may have overtaken customer service, check out the other shops as well. Talk
to other walkers about their equipment. Above all take your
time.
Boots:- Again, don't rush out to buy boots before you
start, many of our walks can be completed in Wellingtons
or comfortable shoes. However, you
will soon notice footwear shortcomings when mud is encountered. Boots don't pull
off your feet in the sticky stuff and the cleated soles give a much safer grip.
Hard rocky ground can bruise your feet in Wellingtons or shoes, boots have a
firmer sole that solve this problem.
A good supplier will take time to measure your
feet very carefully and perform a few simple checks. A boot needs to fit snug around the ankle and heel but leave a little
freedom around the foot to allow it to swell while walking, you should be able
to waggle your toes. Stand on a slope and check your toes do not slip down to
touch the end of the boot, if this happens
going downhill it will be painful. With the boots unlaced push your feet as far
forward in the boot as they can go, you should then just be able to push a
finger between your heel and the boot, if it is an sloppy fit the boot is too
large, if it's a squeeze they are too small. It's normal to take your own
walking socks with you when you go out
to buy, if you don't have any buy them first.
Lighter boots mean your legs have less work to do, this obvious comment is often lost in the macho desire to get "big
boots". Likewise, the fashion look and colour will not help your feet! Hill walking boots are
lighter, cut lower at the back
and will suffice for most of our routes.
Rucksack:- This is probably the first piece of equipment
you will need but it is often overlooked by more glamorous items. 25 litres is
about the right size for a "day sack". Expect to carry more weight in the sack than you realise, the heaviest item will
be drinks. You may also be carrying for two people, have a good think about this
before you buy! Bearing these last comments in mind I say it is essential to
have padded shoulder straps and back, there is nothing worse than a Thermos
digging into your back after a few miles despite your attempts to move it. Few rucksacks are reliably waterproof, zipped ones are
more prone to problems, put your clothing in a
poly bag until you know it is waterproof.
Waterproofs:- Oh dear! There is more hype about waterproof
jackets than you can shake a stick at and most of it surrounds breathability. As
your body works it builds up heat causing condensation, this cannot dissipate
through normal waterproof material and soon you are as damp inside the waterproof as you are out.
Breathable materials allow some of this condensation to escape while preventing rain
water coming in. The trouble is, some fabrics are more breathable than others and
this is where all the hype comes in.
Goretex fabric is still reckoned to be the best but you do pay more for
it, there are a whole raft of breathable fabrics in a lower price band with
acceptable breathable performance, only you can decide if Goretex is worth the
extra. Don't buy cheap high street jackets that have a waterproof coating on the
inside, they soon deteriorate and don't breathe well.
Expedition jackets are heavy and
expensive, for general walking you don't need this level of performance and
would be better off buying a lighter one. Equally you could buy an expensive lightweight
jacket and tear it on barbed wire the first time out. You might want the jacket
for everyday use so colour and fashion could be a consideration. What I am saying
above all else is, balance
your priorities carefully.
It's surprising how little you use waterproof
trousers, they are not essential until you go into exposed areas.
Clothing:- Do not wear cotton clothing, it's cold when wet and takes ages
to dry, so never wear jeans. Most outdoor stores have walking trousers made from
Polycotton that's inexpensive, wind proof and dries quick, check these out
first. There is a whole range of thermal clothing (fleeces and suchlike) that
wick moisture away from the skin making it more comfortable to wear. To make
these work effectively it's best to have a thin version next to the skin and
layer other garments on top as you need them. Silk is excellent for this, it may
seem extravagant but you may find them cheaper in the high street than trendy
thermals in outdoor shops.
Walking technique
Going uphill:- This is an art that takes practice to
perfect and some people never seem to get it right, try doing it this way.
As the path gets steeper shorten the length of
your step and aim to keep the same rhythm you used on the flat. Resist the temptation
to take larger steps and don't be afraid to slow down even if others seem to be
pulling away. Once this rhythm is established you will be able to keep going
uphill without stopping for much longer, this is important because your body likes to
burn energy at a steady rate. Racing uphill until you are gasping and then
stopping will tire you, then the stops become more frequent until
you are at a standstill, that's when the slow steady rhythm exponents overtake the stop/starters.
Going downhill:- Experienced walkers will tell you this is
harder than going uphill, what can they mean? Physically you will find it is easier
to balance your body scrambling up a slope than trying to scramble down it.
Going downhill there is a natural tendency to lean backwards and this puts your body's centre of gravity
in a less advantageous position with less weight on the foot. The weight
transfer is also more sudden, combine both these factors together and you have a
greater risk of slipping which in turn leads to injury. The right technique will lessen the
risk. Bend your knees to move your centre of gravity forward again, this also
allows them cushion your bodyweight as it transfers onto
your feet. A smooth weight transfer will give better balance and an early
warning if your foot is going to slip. If you have trouble with your knees
taking the strain consider buying a telescopic walking pole, it will relieve the
weight on your knees by a third.
Safety
Most of our walks are in easy walking areas
and you can walk safely. Take a waterproof jacket and something to keep you warm
if the weather turns against you. It's essential to take some food even if it is
only a few chocolate snacks and always carry something to drink even if you plan
to stop at a pub.
If we list a walk as exposed it will probably
go into more remote areas and above 1,000 feet, take sufficient food and water to
last 24hrs and a plastic survival bag. These are light, inexpensive and offer
simple shelter. In the winter months between October and April rain may well
turn to snow as you go higher. Snow walking can be dangerous, unless you have an
experienced person with you turn back or take a lower route.
Take care on wet rock or grass particularly if you are
going
downhill.
If you stop for a rest after walking hard on a cold
day your muscles will start to stiffen within a few minutes. To prevent injury restart the walk slowly with shorter steps than normal to give
your muscles time to warm up. This is a common injury so beware!
Blisters can be a real
problem so carry the special dressing packs sold in outdoor shops.
Diabetics can
have sugar problems if the walk is strenuous.
Buy a compass and learn how to use it, it will
only save your life once!
Walking alone is more dangerous than many
people realise. Remember, if you have an accident it may be some time before
someone finds you, realistically you are relying on yourself to survive so take
enough for 24hrs. Leave route details with a friend and agree a time for your
return. Try this simple test; pack a normal rucksack and go into the garden, sit
down and pretend you will be there for the next four hours. Any shortcomings in
your kit selection will soon surface.
The
Countryside Code
Follow this link to a government website for the latest
information. COUNTRYSIDE
CODE. I would add; take off muddy boots
before entering a pub, shop or indoor tourist attraction.
What are your rights?
The sign "trespassers will be prosecuted" has
frightened many people off a legal footpath but the true situation is nothing
like as scary as it might seem, it is very hard to prosecute someone for
trespass unless you can prove they caused wilful damage. If you adopt the
Countryside Code this will not happen. Thankfully, landowners these days are more
understanding than they were twenty years ago, you are more likely to find help
than aggression so do not be put off.
A footpath or "public right of way" is just what it says,
treat it like a pavement and do not wander onto other property. Strictly
speaking the top 18 inches of soil on a footpath belongs to the County Council
and not the landowner so you are not walking on his land but public land! Unlike
other public highways a footpath is not maintained by the Council, it is the
landowners responsibility to keep them navigable. Occasionally the Council may
help with maintenance as part of a recreational policy but this in no ways
removes the landowners responsibility to keep it clear. However, the Council is
legally obliged to erect a sign where the path meets a public road. If the
path is blocked or impassable you are legally entitled to remove the blockage or
make a short detour around the obstacle.
What to do if challenged by a
landowner:-
If you are approached by a
landowner do not assume it is an aggressive challenge, usually they are just
checking your intention and will offer help if asked for it.
-
Everybody can make a genuine mistake on a footpath that is
not clearly marked and the law understands this. Make it clear you are using the footpath from
A to B and are having difficulty finding it. Tell them you have no
intention of causing any damage. This establishes your legal position.
-
Ask where the path is. Any reasonable person would respond with good advice.
-
Explain you would be on the path if it were easy to find but
as this is not the case you are left to your own devices.
If violence seems likely, either :-
-
Withdraw, but state you will make a complaint to County Hall
(ask for his name). The address for County Hall can be found in the local
telephone directory or the library.
-
If you are sure of your ground phone the police and ask for
an escort to cross safely on a public footpath. You might have to wait for
an officer to arrive but it will establish right of passage in the
landowners mind.
The Ramblers Association
THE
RAMBLERS
promote walking in
the UK, protect rights of way, campaign for access to open country and defend
the beauty of the countryside. Membership is not expensive, you get a very
useful year book and a quarterly magazine. Many outdoor shops offer substantial
discounts to members, you could easily recover your first year's membership with
this alone. The Ramblers are organised on a County basis within which are a number of
Groups offering regular walking programmes free to members. If
you are new to outdoor walking and cautious about how to start you could do a
lot worse than join them to learn the ropes. Apart from walking they engage in a
wide variety of educational and charitable activities associated with the
countryside, a respectable proportion
of the membership join solely because they support this work.
