Just get out and Walk! (Hiking/Walking in general)

Member Name: scottyc

Product:	Hiking/Walking in general
Date:	23/07/01 (118 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Keep fit, See the countryside, see below

Disadvantages: none really

“As we came down off the hill, the reservoir slowly came into view. The sun was glistening off the water. We stopped and listened. There was a peaceful silence, just the lapping at the waters edge, a gentle breeze whispering through the trees, and the occasional whistle from some unknown bird. On we carried, lost in our own little world, oblivious to the goings on of our lives back home.”


That was this morning, and we were walking through the woods and around the reservoirs of the West Pennine Moors. 5½ hours later and we’re back home, completely exhausted, but feeling all the better for it.

2 years or so ago, I had never done any walking at all. In fact, just the thought of going for a walk made me start to wheeze and sweat. It was my wife’s suggestion really.

“Why don’t we go for a walk?”

Blimey. I never saw that coming.

“Walk where, why, what for? Can’t we go in the car?” I protested.

Anyway, we ended up bundling the baby into her pram and off we went. Through the woods, over the canal, back through the woods and home. During that week we bought a small daypack, just in case we went again, we could take some drinks and biscuits.

And that was it. We were hooked.

Now most weekends, you’ll find us out walking. If we go as a family, we tend to stick to country parks, or the local woods, just for a short stroll, which my daughter can manage. If it’s only the dog, and me however, we can go quite a way, whatever the weather. The Moors, the Lakes, North Wales, all of them only an hour or so away by car.


So, why should you get outside and start walking?

Well, for a start, there are the obvious health benefits. Simply walking to the shops used to make me feel tired. Now, I can go 10 or 12 miles no problem.

Then, there is the peace and quiet. You can forget all of the hustle and bustle of town, b
eing in the countryside is pure bliss. No distractions, no cars, just the noises that nature intended.

If nothing else, it makes a change from sitting in front of the TV.


And the great thing is, you don’t need loads of expensive equipment. A sturdy pair of shoes and a warm coat is all you really need. Obviously, the further out you venture, and the harder and higher you go, more and more equipment is needed: a rucksack; proper walking boots; socks; waterproofs; a map & compass.

It can sound expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. We just added to as we thought we needed things. First, a rucksack – a must for carrying food, drinks and a coat. Next came the boots and socks. If you are going off the beaten track, the extra support and grip they give you becomes essential. That’s it then, just buy what you think you need, when you think you need it.

Here is what I would recommend as a minimum of equipment if you do wish to get out into the hills.

(1) Rucksack. There is a whole range of sizes to choose from. For a full days walk, anything between 20 and 30 litres capacity should be fine. Try a few on before you decide. After all, you want it be comfortable if you are wearing it all day.

(2) Boots. Ideally you want to get something waterproof and sturdy with a good grip. Walking with wet feet isn’t much fun, believe me. Go to a specialist shop and take some walking socks (if you have some) with you. If not, the shop will usually have a supply for the purpose of trying boots on. Most shops will also let you take them home and wear them in the house for a few days. If they don’t feel right, take them back. Remember, if you feet are sore it will be hard to walk, so getting the right pair is important.

(3) Waterproofs. If it rains, and you’ve got 10 miles to go and no waterproofs, nothing can be more uncomfortable. Try and get a breathable set, otherwise you may start &
#8216;raining’ on the inside. Breathable waterproofs keep the water on the outside, but also let out the moisture from the inside, thus keeping you both warm and dry.

(4) First Aid Kit. I always take a basic first aid kit when walking. Some plasters, antiseptic cream and wipes and some simple dressings is all that is required. I’ve never needed to use it yet, but you never know.

(5) Whistle. Always take a loud whistle with you, especially if you are on your own. If you do end up at the bottom of a large hole somewhere, a whistle is much more likely to be heard than a muffled cry for help.

(6) Map & Compass. These are always important. You should never rely on a guidebook alone. Oh, and make sure you know how to navigate with them. They are no use on their own. For a beginner’s guide, I recommend “The Spur Book of Map and Compass, by Terry Brown & Rob Hunter” for about £3. This teaches adequate navigation skills for a beginner. (If you intend scaling Everest you may find that you need a little something extra).

(7) Last but not least – Common Sense. Only do what you think you are capable of doing, and more importantly, what you are prepared for. Walking the moors in winter in shorts and a t-shirt and with little else equipment is not to be recommended. If you think you are lost, ask somebody. Don’t just stumble blindly round trying to find your way, you may get more lost. Finally, always tell somebody where you are going and when you expect to be back. If you then don’t get back in a reasonable time, they can then raise the alarm.


So there you go. I really recommend that you give it a try.
You never know, you may even enjoy it!

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