Walk for health and pleasure. (Hiking/Walking in General)

Member Name: Bryn Pearson

Product:	Hiking/Walking in General
Date:	10/05/01 (50 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheap, you can go anywhere, relaxing

Disadvantages: the weather.

Walking is one of the best forms of exersize available - it helps your body to strengthen itself, it provides god exersize for the heart, and its easy to walk in a way that suits you.

Walking is a good social activity, and very enjoyable in groups - away from the televisions, it gives you a chance to really get to know people.

A few tips - beware of the weather, make sure you have waterproofs and footwear that can handle rough weather, as you can count on getting ianed on.

Get a map, plan your route, take the map with you. Make sure your route is of a suitable length and over suitable terrain for the walkers - don't try to take your granny up a mountain and don't assume that you can walk twenty miles. You should be able to walk five miles without suffering too much, work up from there.

Take food and a drink. endal mint cake is good if you can get it. Even if you aren't planing on being out for hours, its worth having some supplies in case you start feeling weak and feeble. In Summer, a drink is vital - dehydration can be a real problem. If its hot, wear a hat and sun block to protect yourself.

Don't carry too much - as you pack the camera, binoculars, cool box, picinic rug and kitchen sink, ask yourself how heavy these items are going to feel after a few hours.

Put a pub on your route - I have found this to be a real incentive, especially if you are buying your lunch. A walk to and from a pub can be a really good day out, provides a good break with loos, shelter from the elements and refreshment.

The best thing about walking is how little it costs - maps of your area may cost five pounds, and a decent pair of boots will et you back a bit, but they will last for years. After that, there are no charges - no entry fees, no particularly specialised equiptemnt (unless you want to go up mountains or similar) its the most natural form of transport and allows you to really experience your sur
roundings. You can have great cheap holidays if you spend your days walking.

Summary: