A new found love of Newfoundland

I was very fortunate to be offered a short work trip at the beginning of July to Newfoundland in Canada. We were a group of five agents, one representative from the tour operator and two Newfoundland tourist board representatives, and we all got along really well from the start.

Newfoundland is a large island linked to Nova Scotia in mainland Canada by ferry. It is carpeted in pine forest but has a rugged and, at times, wild coastline.  It is also happens to be just a five hour flight away.

We flew into the capital, St John's, and immediately had an afternoon’s driving tour of the city, stopping to admire the colourful houses of Jellybean Row before walking down to the little fishing village of Quidi Vidi, where we sampled locally produced Iceberg beer, made with 10,000 year old iceberg water. We ended on Signal Hill with its far reaching views of the St John’s and the ocean. 

The next day was Canada Day and the whole city was decorated with flags and bunting, with most people (including us) wearing red and white. We drove out of St John’s for about half and hour to Bay Bulls and Witless Bay Ecological Reserve and took a Gatheralls boat trip out into the open ocean to view whales and the largest Puffin colony in North America. The ocean swell was about six feet which I thoroughly enjoyed, but at least half a dozen people spent the entire trip clutching their sick bags! We did see Humpback Whales but from some distance, then cruised slowly along the headland watching literally thousands of breeding Atlantic Puffins and Murres.

After lunch, we headed back to St John's where half the group visited the city's museum while the rest of us were driven back up to Signal Hill from where we hiked, very steeply, back down along a narrow coastal and cliff path for about three miles in the mist, stopping at the bottom at Pearcey's Twine Store listening to marine tales from Mr Pearcy (I presume!) which was very interesting and entertaining before continuing back to the hotel. 

The following morning we checked out of our hotel to drove three and a half hours north along the Trans Canadian Highway through miles of pine forests to the pretty little village of Trinity. After a picnic lunch outside the Anglican church, we drove another twenty minutes or so on to Princeton for another whale watching trip, as the ocean around Trinity was very foggy and visibility would have been severely limited. On arrival, we were kitted out with survival suits under which we wore our own trousers and fleeces. They were far too big for us, very heavy and bulky, but more importantly they were warm and waterproof, although it was not an attractive look at all! They certainly did the job though. We boarded a RIB with our group and three other ladies and set off twenty miles out into the open ocean at high speed. It was exhilarating and soaking, but highly enjoyable. We saw Humpback, Finn and Sperm Whales up close and a pod of White Beaked Dolphins playing alongside the boat. After being out for three hours. it was an incredibly fast journey back which was very enjoyable, if a little bumpy at times! We drove back to Trinity for a hot chocolate and a wander amongst the pretty pastel painted houses before a lobster dinner and a night at the incredibly beautiful and peaceful family owned and run Fisher's Loft Inn, where the sight and sound of the ocean lulled us to sleep.

Heading back towards St John's the next morning, we stopped at Elliston Puffin viewing station. The sun was shining and it was much warmer than the previous two days, making the North Atlantic look beautifully turquoise. A short walk over a rocky headland brought us to the cliff edge and there were Puffins everywhere. We could get to within ten feet of them, and it was fantastic to sit watching them closely. They have a sad expression and yet are so comical as they rush around, and it was an amazing experience. We spent quite some time there before driving on to Cape Bonavista, stopping and rushing out of the minivan on the way to watch a Humpback mother and calf feeding in the bay below us. Surrounded by wildflowers and the deep turquoise water, it was unbelievably beautiful, warm and peaceful. Four of us walked on to the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse where there was another, smaller Puffin colony on the cliffs behind. The Lighthouse was picture perfect and very interesting. After lunch, we drove all the way back to St John's, stopping to see the Hope and Heartbreak memorial to the 251 men who lost their lives in a 1914 sealing disaster. 

Our final stop was Cape Spear; the most easterly point of North America. The ocean was a lovely deep blue and by then we could spot whales by the tell-tale white spume of the whale blow. It was very gratifying to see so many of them just off the coast. The sun was shining, it was warm with a gentle breeze; just a glorious spot to relax in and a lovely way to end the trip. After a delicious steak dinner and a chance to say goodbye to our lovely hosts at The Keg in St John's, we began our journey back to the airport for our late flight home. It had been a wonderful trip with a lovely group, lots of laughs and some truly unforgettable moments.

Coping with adverse weather conditions : Wind

Walking and hiking in windy weather can be exhilarating, but it can carry risk as well. Wind speeds increase as you climb higher and can whip with real force over ridges and cols, stopping you in your tracks. We once crested the summit of Hartsop Above Howe and the wind literally knocked the dog over and sent Bro staggering against a rock. It was lucky we weren’t on an exposed path and it took some effort to battle against it to get to lower ground.

So how windy is too windy?

It seems, from the Met Office, that gusts of 30-40 miles per hour are when things can start to get tricky. This is when you can be buffeted and lose your footing or stagger; not something you want when you’re on an exposed ridge or path. 50 mile an hour gusts will affect your walking and anything over 70 miles an hour will be dangerous in the high hills. So what can you do?

1. Plan and prepare : Check the weather forecast and the mountain weather forecast before you set out. If it looks as though winds will drop later in the day, plan your route accordingly or plan at least be on lower ground when wind speeds are at their highest. Keep to paths, keep and eye on everyone you might be with and perhaps consider choosing a longer but lower route rather that a more exposed one. Also try to avoid being in woodland as much as possible.

2. Wind Chill : For every 300 metres you climb, the temperature will cool by 2 degrees and wind chill is something to be considered very carefully, especially in the hills. I once went to Swedish Lapland where it was -25 which, on a calm sunny day, didn’t feel particularly cold, but once a breeze sprang up, it was difficult to be outside. Take and wear plenty of warm layers and have plenty of sustaining food and drink with you.

3. Use walking poles : These are invaluable for stablising you if you are buffeted. We walked an edge in the Lakes one January and if we hadn’t braced using our poles, it could have been serious.

4. Wear warm clothing : I have a lovely waterproof jacket which is really comfortable to wear all day and keeps me warm and dry. It’s also the best thing to wear when it’s windy, along with waterproof over trousers. We once did a November walk up to to Stybarrow Dodd and the summit wind was so cold that within a frighteningly short time, I couldn’t feel my legs and we had to make a hasty descent. In early spring or late autumn, I either wear baselayer leggings under my regular trousers or fleece lined winter weight trousers and these have worked well, but I would always favour the over trousers (with the baselayer leggings as well if it’s really cold)  in the hills, especially in the winter months. 

5. Use a Buff or neck gaiter : Walking with strong wind in your face all day makes your eyes stream and either blocks your nose or makes it run. Bro and I thought we were getting colds after a long day in windy conditions as we were bunged up, but as soon as we got out of the wind, it all cleared. A Buff over the lower part of your face may help as would sunglasses if it’s sunny.

6. Rest : It’s tiring, climbing and hiking against the wind and it’s lovely to find a sheltered spot to get out of it, warm up a bit and have a break from the pummelling and the noise to be honest.

7. Tell someone : As always, let someone know where you’re going, especially if you’re walking, hiking, climbing, running or cycling alone. Know how to call for help and carry a whistle and head torch in case you start running out of daylight.

The Lakes in June

In a break from the norm, our first visit to the Lakes was right at the end of May this year, instead of our usual March. As we've finished our Wainwright challenge, we wanted a more relaxing week right in the heart of the Lakes, so booked into what was probably one of the most gorgeous cottages we've stayed in. It was old, beautifully decorated, very quiet, comfortable and convenient for walks from the door. What wasn't so gorgeous was the traffic on the M6 which made the journey at least an hour an a half longer, but we relaxed with an evening walk round Ambleside, even finding a new path by the River Brathay.

The next morning, we drove north to Keswick to meet up with our cousins and enjoyed a slightly damp walk up to Castlehead then on over fields with wonderful views to Castlerigg Stone Circle. They hadn't been to the circle before and we'd never walked there from Keswick, and it was a beautiful route. We came back through King Wood to Keswick for lunch and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. We headed back in late afternoon, stopping in Grasmere as we hadn't been for a while which was as lovely as always.

We had a slow morning the next day, walking into Ambleside for coffee and a little browsing, noting small changes since we'd last been. In the afternoon, we drove to just south of Windermere to re-climb three Outlying Fells, mainly because we had no recollection of them in 2017  (we'd been distracted by our very excitable young dog) but also because Bro wanted to record the route. The weather had cleared and it was gloriously warm. clear and sunny. We parked in a layby close to Windermere Golf Club and set off along the Dales Way to Cleabarrow hamlet. The verges were full of wildflowers, the fields full of lambs and it was all so beautiful. The route was flat, following a tiny beck, before a short climb took us up to a magnificent and very photogenic lone Oak Tree with expansive views over Windermere. After a lot of photos, it was only a short pull up to the summit of Nameless School Knott which neither of us really remembered, but it was lovely. Grandsire was next with a simple descent to the Oak Tree, then up to the summit where we spent quite a lot of time enjoying the views and sun. We hadn't planned on going over to School Knott, but it wasn't that far away, although that one we did remember! A cool drink at the lovely Wild Boar rounded off the afternoon nicely.

The next day saw us driving north again to Setmurthy Forest, as we wanted to re-climb two more Outlying Fells we'd done years before in torrential rain and hadn't enjoyed. Bro hadn't really recorded the route that time either and we wanted some decent summit shots for our records. Previously we'd pushed up through the woods and made rather a hash of the route, trying to find shortcuts and inevitably making it longer and harder. This time we followed a forestry track which rose gently up around the edge of the forest giving us lovely views of the northern fells. It was easy, pleasurable and very warm in the sun. A quick deviation off the track up a steeper forest path brought us out to within about fifty feet of Setmurthy Common's summit stones. The views were stunning all around us, from the northern fells to Cockermouth. We carried along the ridge to the second fell, Watch Hill, through ewes and lambs, giving the aggressive looking Texel mothers a wide berth before retracing our steps and slipping back into the forest and picking our way steeply down to re-join the track where we stopped to brew coffee on a handy tree stump. 

We debated whether to go to Buttermere the next day as we hadn't been for a long while but, as we'd done quite a lot of driving, we thought we'd go up through Skelghyll Woods to visit Jenkin Crag again. The weather was good and we could start from the cottage. It was lovely walking and we were soon at the viewing point admiring the Windermere views. Instead of going back the same way, we decided to find Stagshaw Garden which we'd often seen signposted, so we took a path down the other side of Stencher Beck and roughly followed a signed tree trail, keeping a look out for the tallest fir tree in Cumbria. The trail led us out of the woods, but there was a lovely wooden gate to our right that led into the Garden. It was a woodland garden, climbing steeply up the hill full of flowering Rhododendrons and a tumbling beck, all of which was very attractive. After exploring, we took another path we've never walked before which brought us out not far from the Ambleside YHA. We called in for a coffee as their little cafe has the most gorgeous views of Lake Windermere. 

It was Bro's birthday the following day and we planned to tackle a Wainwright on the eastern shore of Ullswater for all of the same reasons above. The weather had turned and it was raining as we set off, later than planned, trying to make the 10.30 steamer from Glenridding to Howtown. However, the steamers had been cancelled due to the strong winds, so instead we drove to Pooley Bridge and began the walk from there. The rain stopped, the sun appeared and we made good time to the Cockpit Stone Circle - something we'd missed last time - then found a path that climbed gently up through the grass and, dodging a couple of rain showers. We soon came to the summit of Arthur's Pike and enjoyed the lovely views we'd missed the last time as we were in a thick smog cloud, but there was also a freezing wind blowing and it had started raining again. After stopping for a quick drink, we quickly became very cold - I think it was around 7 degrees at that point - so we hurried down to Whinney Crag, a small peak a little lower down which was thankfully out of the wind. The sun came out, we warmed up and the views from there were even better. We made much quicker time on the way back as we were on a defined path, joining part of the Ullswater Way back to Pooley Bridge for a late lunch. 

For our final outing, we decided we didn't really want to climb anything much, so we went to Grizedale Forest. It was a lovely sunny day and very quiet, so we had coffee first and a look round the cycle shop before deciding that, as we'd already been up to Carron Crag, we'd follow the white trail on the other side of the visitors centre to a second Grizedale Tarn. We had a mix of sun and a few light showers, but the woods were lovely and the paths easy, but they soon started climbing and we found ourselves going up and up quite steeply! It was lovely though and there were interesting sculptures to find along the way. The tarn was very buried in the forest, but large, covered in water lilies and very pretty, as was the walk back to the visitors centre; very like Scotland in places we thought. We decided to have sandwich lunch in the cafe, before calling in at Tarn Hows on the way back to Ambleside as we were really close and again, hadn't been for ages. Very pretty.

On our way back to the motorway on our way home, we called in at the exquisite Levens Hall, which has the oldest topiary garden in the world. I think it's one of the most beautiful, unique and original houses and gardens we've ever been to. and it was an absolute delight sitting in the gardens in the sun and exploring the stunning house. Once again, the motorway was not so stunning!

All in all, a fantastic week in a beautiful cottage, meeting relatives, lovely walks and revisiting some favourite places. It all went far too quickly, but we're planning our next trip already!

the beautiful lone oak

grandsire’s summit

personalised logs!

levens hall

the topiary gardens

Frilufsliv

I think we have a lot to thank the Scandinavians for; wonderful design, light, fresh clean lines, simplicity and stylish decor and of course cinnamon buns, but also Frilufsliv which is the Scandinavian concept of spending time outdoors in all weathers, and connecting with nature, something I am completely on board with.  

Being outdoors in bad weather, whether in the country or in a more urban setting, can actually make you feel really good. There's something primal about battling the elements, gritting your teeth in order to reach your objective and seeing the landscape around you in differing conditions in spite of what Mother Nature happens to be throwing at you. Whether it's rain, sleet, snow, fog or wind, it engenders a real feeling of exhilaration and wellbeing, with the added satisfaction of having achieved something that involved a little more mental and physical effort. This results in a feeling of relaxation, contentment and a warm, healthy glow afterwards.

We've done a huge amount of walking, hiking and climbing in less than perfect weather and as well as those walks being more memorable because of the conditions, it actually made us feel better.

Not convinced?

Let me explain.

For people who aren't wholly enamoured by hot weather, we always prefer a day that's a little cooler, a little more overcast perhaps, or the warmth of May and early June rather than the greater heat of July and August. We are by no means fair weather walkers and would rather not walk for hours in torrential rain or sleet, but it is those walks in adverse conditions that become some of the most memorable.

We did a very long day's hiking and climbing in the thickest fog we've experienced last November. From the moment we got out of the car, we could only see about ten feet ahead of us for the entire duration. However, I actually remember rubbing my hands with glee, simply because it was going to be a different walk and a lot more challenging. Thick fog and mist muffles sound, so everything was quiet, meaning we could really concentrate on our pace, our breathing, our conversation and small sounds around us. We relished the navigational challenge which made what could have been a fairly straightforward walk much more interesting. It was lovely to stop and enjoy a flask of hot soup and talk about a scalding bath and a meal by the fire when we got back, and we periodically laughed and asked ourselves what we on earth we were doing, but we got back to the car with a real feeling of accomplishment and thoroughly enjoyed the day. We still talk about it now, months later.

We tackled Longside Edge in the Lake District at the tail end of a named storm one January and the cold, fresh blasts of freezing air really cleared the cobwebs of Christmas and the sadness of losing a dog, leaving us feeling fresh, revitalised and invigorated. It was also good fun bracing against the strong gusts which added to the day. Sitting by the fire in the evening with rosy cheeks and the warm feeling that hard exercise brings was wonderful. 

I'll admit it's hard to find many positives about walking for hours in torrential rain, but there is still a feeling of achievement and testing your mental determination, especially if like us, you set off in late November at 7am when it was still dark and already raining. Seeing sheets of rain sweeping the valleys was wonderfully dramatic and we had a laughed conversation with another couple on one of the summits in a sleet shower, sharing the experience and asking each other if we really were all mad! Walking in light rain or showers is wonderfully refreshing as the air feels purer and is indeed cleaner as the rain clears any pollution particles. A woodland in spring rain is lovely and refreshing, and can calm and soothe stresses, worries or upsets. Simply listening to rain or a storm I find is soothing, especially in bed at night with the window open. You can’t beat a cosy pub with an open fire when you're warm, dry and totally relaxed while the rain beats against the windows. Walking through a pine wood when it's gently raining is one of our favourite things to do, breathing in that wonderful tangy, resinous scent. Going for a run in the rain is wonderfully invigorating and I’ve read that wet weather walking can actually make you feel happier and boost your mental health.

I'm sure we've all experienced that childlike joy a fresh snowfall brings. On the odd occasions we've had snow in the south, we always rush out very early before others are about and head to our local woods. Seeing bird and animal tracks makes you realise just how much life there is in the woods and if the sun's shining, can there be anything more beautiful and mood enhancing? We love walking in the hills in heavy frost and that feeling of wrapping up and getting out early in freezing air, crunching along admiring the delicate beauty of everything around us. An air frost is especially stunning, but all of it clears the head, refreshes and energises you.

Just being outside in winter in the daylight feels better than staying indoors, and weak winter sun feels good on your skin after days in centrally heated, stuffy houses and offices. We try not to have the heating on except in the evenings for an hour or two and rarely during the day, even in the depths of winter, as well as sleeping with a window open, and I think this has really prevented us getting lots of colds and helps to boost our immune systems and general wellbeing. 

You may find places are quieter as many people I imagine don’t care to be out in inclement weather, allowing you time to take note of sights, sounds and enhanced smells, especially when it rains after periods of dryness; that lovey rich earthy smell which, like pine woods and lavender, can be very calming and restful.

However, don't take my word for any of this, take a leaf out of Scandinavia’s book, wrap up well and try and walk in the rain for yourself!

Coping with adverse weather conditions : Fog

Before writing this, I didn't quite realise just how many types of fog there are. Fog is essentially low lying warm, moist cloud that meets the cooler ground. Dense and thick fog severely limits visibility, valley fog can be stunningly beautiful, hill fog covers mountain tops and mist is obviously far less dense. As I'm not an expert I will deal, on a very basic level, with the types of fog I have encountered.

So how can you stay safe and comfortable when the fog comes down, or you set off in limited visibility?

Planning 

Fog can descend quickly and unexpectedly with changes in the weather, so planning is key. Check the weather forecasts, check mountain weather forecasts and if it looks as though it's going to be densely foggy, check your route to avoid precipitous drops or ridges, or perhaps change your plans altogether. If you're going to be in the mountains, this is especially key. Make sure you carry a paper map and compass, extra warm clothing, have a fully charged GPS with extra batteries and keep one phone turned off if there are two of you walking to save battery power. Have a look at a map, guidebook or online beforehand if you're unfamiliar with the area so you have an idea of what you might encounter, and make any necessary preparations or adjustments to your route. 

Wear bright colours

Black, navy blue, grey or white really aren’t suitable; wear yellow, orange or red to really stand out, both to each other, the rest of your party or if you get into difficulties and people need to look for you or if it’s starting to get darker. In the winter months, make sure you wear warm layers and waterproofs as it can be colder and damp in foggy conditions.

Getting caught in fog 

If you suddenly find yourself in thick fog when you’re already out, your pre-planning should come into effect so you have an idea of your route, any gnarly sections and/or alternative routes. We were up on Caw and Haycock in the middle of July when a sudden, dense fog engulfed us out of nowhere. We were going to try and cut a corner with a fairly substantial drop beside us, but instead followed the path back that we’d come on until the fog lifted. You should be able to make adjustments if necessary, or if you choose to, reading from your map and GPS. A lot of the time in the Lake District, there are cairns along paths to help keep you on track and on the popular fells, in our experience, there are usually people about to ask if you get stuck. We’ve been asked for help on several occasions when people have become disorientated in the mist and fog, and sadly on none of those occasions did they have a map or GPS that we could see…

Setting off in fog

Bro and I set off in very dense fog last November to climb four remote outlying fells from high on the Corney Fell Road in the Lake District. We walked and climbed for about four hours with only one, brief glimpse of the landscape in all that time. It was a little disconcerting to be honest, as we were completely unfamiliar with the area and for most of that time we could only probably see about 5-10 metres ahead. We had researched and planned the route and watched a couple of You Tube channels beforehand, so we at least knew the type of terrain we were going to be tackling. We walked in single file, kept conversation to a minimum, watched where we put our feet, had plenty of water, food, a flask of hot soup and spare warm clothes with us and wore waterproof jackets and over trousers. I always let Bro concentrate and I never, ever question his judgement or make my own (probably ill informed) suggestions as to which way to go, as I have full and complete confident in his abilities, which works well for us. I can then focus on noting any memorable or unusual features looming out of the gloom that Bro may not have seen when he was looking at the GPS or map. It's a good system which has never let us down in over two decades, and I'm proud to say we've never got lost or gone wrong. 

Navigation

Good navigation skills are crucial. As I mentioned, Bro is a very experienced navigator having been doing it for well over two decades, although I must add that I do know how to use the GPS and map and compass as well. On the walk cited above, we did take a few extra precautions as we really didn’t know the area and visibility was so poor. I took careful note of any memorable features such as unusual rock formations and broken dry stone walls and I called them out loud to make sure they lodged in our memories. This worked a treat as we came back a different way, but both recognised a dry stone wall built into an outcrop of rock we’d seen on the outward journey and so were able to follow that wall almost back to the car. We had a fully charged GPS with extra batteries, we kept my fully charged phone turned off and we took and noted grid references and direction every fifteen minutes or so with our paper map and compass and jotted them on Bro’s fully charged phone that we kept switched on. It all worked perfectly.

Be aware

You need to keep you wits about you and really take note of where you're walking, your foot placement and have an idea of where any drops or narrow paths might be. Keep together and walk slowly and carefully keeping to the paths. Don't break off and try to cut corners, and make sure you wait for anyone who stops for any reason. Sound is deadened in the hills and more so in the fog, so make sure you can see and hear each other all the time. It’s so easy to become disorientated when you’re turning this way and that. Always let someone know where you’re going, especially if you’re walking, hiking, climbing, running or cycling alone. Know how to call for help and carry a whistle and head torch in case you start running out of daylight.

Wait

If possible and you’re not confident or unsure, sit and wait for the fog to clear. Even a glimpse of the landscape can give you a reference point to get you back on track.

However….

A cloud inversion, where fog lies in the valley and you’re above it, is the most staggeringly beautiful sight. Being up above the cloud in bright sun seeing a sea of white below you with only the mountain peaks visible like islands is totally magical. Walking in dense fog allows you to concentrate completely on your pace, your breathing and the path ahead. It’s quiet, sounds are muffled, there are usually fewer people around - especially in winter - and there are no distractions, so summits feel as though they’re gained much more quickly. Early morning mists in winter with diffused sunlight make everything ethereally beautiful.

Coping with adverse weather conditions : Heat

sunrise over kirk fell after a 3.30am start

Now that the days are lengthening and warming, this is the third blog in a mini series focusing on how to cope in adverse weather conditions, this time hiking in the heat. 

Plan your day

A little bit of forward planning will help you to enjoy, rather than suffer through, your day. Check the general weather forecast and the mountain forecast if you're hiking in the hills. It can still be very warm outside the summer months and if it looks as though it's going to be hot, then think about what it is you're planning to do and be prepared to change your plans if necessary. The hottest part of the day is usually from about noon to 3pm, so plan to set off early and be back before the heat of the day starts to build. If you do find yourself out in the heat of the afternoon, perhaps rest in the shade for an hour or two. We've started walking at 3am in the heat of summer on a couple of big mountain days which was lovely and meant we were back by 10.30/11am just as people were starting their walks. Try to plan a walk which has plenty of shade or woodland or is even near water if possible.

Choose your clothing

Do wear appropriate, loose fitting clothing. Wicking Tshirts are great for 'wicking,' or taking sweat away from your body as I've found a cotton Tshirt tends to stay damp and sticky which isn't very comfortable. Wear shorts or very lightweight trousers, summer weight walking socks and always wear a hat. Mine has a brim all the way round and my hair protects the back of my  neck, but Bro wears a baseball cap which he either turns round to cover his neck, or wears a Buff. A light, long sleeve top will protect you if you are prone to burning rather than tanning and you can also get wicking underwear, although we tend to stick to plain cotton. Make sure your socks are wool and cushioned, as cotton socks can rub and do make sure they fit properly or the chafing and rubbing will be intensely painful. You could take a spare pair of socks as it's lovely to take your boots and socks off, let your feet air and dry out, then put fresh socks on. That should help prevent blisters too. We don't tend to wear trail shoes as our boots are fairly lightweight anyway, but avoid waterproof or leather footwear as your poor feet will sweat profusely which can, again, lead to blisters. Tie hair back, don't wear lots of make up or jewellery, always wear sunglasses and use plenty of high factor, regularly applied sunscreen and lip balm. 

​Consider your abilities

​Make sure what you are choosing to do is suitable for your, and your companions,' abilities and fitness levels. Walking in the heat is draining and tiring and it isn't sensible to try and overextend a walk, hike, cycle ride or climb. Temper it to the conditions, the area and the time of day, and if you're not keen on setting off very early, consider making it a shorter day, or choosing somewhere shaded and more suitable. Avoid alcohol and overly excessive exercise.

​Hydrate

This has got to be one of, if not the, most crucial elements of any warm or hot day in the outdoors. I've said it before on this site, but if you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. You must ensure you take more than enough water for the length of day. In the hills, there aren't always available water sources, so you should plan to take your own supply. You can filter water if there are sources to top you up, but it must be filtered or purified before drinking, however crystal clear and tempting a stream might look. Take small regular sips rather than huge gulps every so often. Electrolyte tablets dissolved in your water will help with replacing lost salts and minerals and make it taste better. However, over hydration is just as bad as dehydration. The colour of your pee will give you an indication on how hydrated you are; dark is not good, pale yellow is. For more information on recognising the symptoms of, and how to deal with, sun related conditions, visit the NHS website or talk to your doctor or health provider.

Cool down

Your body will need time to cool down as it will be working extremely hard and muscles can cramp with excessive sweating, so stay out of the sun as much as possible, rest, snack and cover up. Soak your hat or Buff in any cold water you find and it will cool your head nicely, or dip your hands and feet in. Filling your hat or cap and tipping it over your head is especially refreshing. You could even soak a Tshirt in the same way, but perhaps that's more for the men!

Rest

Try to find a shady spot, take your pack off and lie down, or sit down at the very least and take more breaks than you might do ordinarily. This will make your day longer and possibly slower, but you may well feel better for it. An umbrella may look a little odd in the hills, but it could provide vital shade for when you sit and have a break if there are no other options. We did this once on a very, very hot day on Harter Fell in Eskdale feeling a little foolish, but it proved to be utterly invaluable. 

And finally..

Always let someone know where you’re going, especially if you’re walking, hiking, climbing, running or cycling alone. Know how to call for help and carry a whistle and head torch in case you start running out of daylight. Be prepared to simply not go if you feel it's going to be too hot, too far, too high, too exposed or too much for you and/or your companions. Much better to wait for a cooler day and enjoy it properly.

dawn on hardknott on what was a very hot day

a perfect swimming spot

Climbing Kinder

the true summit of kinder scout

Our first trip of 2025 was to the beautiful Peak District, somewhere we have really grown to love. Our objective was to climb the region's highest summit, Kinder Scout, standing at 2088 feet and dominating the Vale of Edale. We booked into what turned out to be the most delightfully cosy and comfortable old stone cottage at the top end of Castleton which was very convenient for Winnats Pass as well as places to eat in the village. 

We were out early on the first day, driving over the Pass and parking at Barber Booth before following a pretty lane to Upper Booth and briefly joining the Pennine Way. There was then a very steep but fairly short climb up onto the Kinder plateau where the wind was strong, but it was clear and thankfully not particularly cold. The bulk of Grindslow Knoll lay ahead of us, and from its rocky, exposed and much cooler summit were wonderful panoramic views.

From there, we dropped down slightly and followed Grindsbrook Clough on a wonderful high level path to the head of the valley, before heading roughly north east to Crowden Tower. Taking a well worn path from the Tower led us to the Wool Pack Stones, an area of gritstone rocks eroded into the most unusual and unique shapes, and in an area of heavy peat which was clearly being restored. We continued on to the Pym Stones, all of which made this section of the walk really different and interesting.

From the stones, we diverted across a large expanse of rough grass and bilberry, simply following the GPS as there was no discernible path. We soon reached the true summit of Kinder Scout, which was a fairly underwhelming small pile of stones on a grass mound, but the views were expansive. A narrow but well defined path from there brought us to the prominent trig point of Kinder Low before we headed steeply back down Jacob's Ladder to the beautiful old packhorse bridge over the River Noe. We then simply picked up the lane to Upper Booth again and followed it back to the car. It had been a windy and exhilarating walk, full of interest and thoroughly enjoyable.

The next day dawned wonderfully bright, sunny and warm. We had a leisurely, early walk around Castleton exploring every lane and path and quick wander up a deserted and much cooler Cavedale, before deciding it would be lovely to be up on Curbar Edge in the sun. It was absolutely glorious. We almost had the entire edge to ourselves and whilst it was breezy, it was wonderfully warm. Meandering along, we enjoyed the wonderful views before choosing a sheltered spot for an early lunch, carrying on to the end of Curbar then back again which was beautiful. Not really wanting to go back to the cottage, we crossed the road and went up onto Baslow Edge and walked from there to the Eagle Stone and on to the Wellington Memorial. Just stunning.

Our final full day found us up above Winnats Pass early, parking in a layby opposite the Mam Tor car park. There was a large group of paragliders in the field setting up and making their preparations before they headed up Mam Tor to launch. It was beautiful in the sun, and we had set our sights on climbing an Ethel (one of the 95 peaks over 400m), so we set off towards the interestingly named Slitherstone Hill. It was a gentle, easy walk over three permissible farm fields basking in the sun. It isn't possible to access the actual summit as it’s on private land, so we sat on a wall for a drink and to take in the views which was lovely and very quiet. We meandered slowly back again, stopping at the top of a small hill and watching the paragliders soaring over Mam Tor.

That afternoon, we relaxed a little in our sunny courtyard garden and had a final evening wander around Castleton before packing our things as we had a very early departure the next morning in order for Bro to attend a funeral in Hertfordshire. It had been a wonderful few days away and we were so lucky with the weather, but it was a shame we couldn't have stayed longer!

Feeling alive in 2025

Well, these last couple of months have been a little different for us. Have completed our Wainwright challenge and after 15 years or so of winter evenings spent planning routes, plotting which fells or mountains to climb, working out the best places to stay, booking accommodation, upgrading, updating, cleaning and repairing kit and gear, we have suddenly found ourselves with a little more spare time on our hands.

It's a slightly strange and mildly unsettling feeling. After so many years of knowing where we would be holidaying and what we would be doing on those holidays, we wondered how we going to fill that Wainwright shaped hole in our lives and keep fit, active, interested and motivated in 2025, so to that end, we’ve made some decisions and thought about some simple alternatives.

Decision One : We’re not going to start a second round of the Wainwrights.

The Reason : We know a lot of people do and we really can see the attraction, but anything we do climb in the Lakes will be specifically selected to get the views we missed the first time round, or simply because we want to revisit it. I can’t imagine visiting and not climbing something!

But then…. Setting yourself a challenge can be a good way of motivating yourself throughout the year to keep fit and active and keep getting you outdoors.

Decision Two: We're not going to tackle another long term challenge.

The Reason : People ask us what’s next and whether we’re going to start on the Munros, but we feel we had the perfect challenge for us which we thoroughly enjoyed. I admire those who climb the Munros tremendously, but I don’t think it is something we’ll undertake. Instead, we will try a few things in a much looser way. We have signed up to Country Walking's Walk 1000 miles this year which will give us purpose and impetus on our daily walks from home. We have done this several times before, and to be honest we walk over 1000 miles most years anyway, but it will still be fun to do in a slightly more official way.

But then…. A challenge doesn’t have to be anything huge or long term, it could simply be aiming to walk 10 miles by the end of the year, swim 50 lengths without stopping, or seeing if you can go for a short walk every single Sunday of the year. We’ve done lots of the Conqueror Virtual Challenges which are fun, or you could sign up to a Park Run or charity event.

Decision Three: We would like to start visiting the Peak District a little more often.

The Reason : We have a slightly half formed plan to climb some of the 95 Ethel tops of which we've already done 10. It would be lovely to see some different parts of this beautiful area, just as the Outlying fells afforded us differing views of Lakeland.

But then…. Getting out and about wherever you live is the important thing, not necessarily always visiting a National Park. We only spend our annual leave in those beautiful places; the rest of the year is spent walking within a 10-15 mile radius of home, and that’s Berkshire with no national parks!

Decision Four: We would like to visit other areas.

The Reason : As much as we adore the Lake District, there’s still a lot of the beautiful UK to explore. Scotland, Northumberland, Wales and more of the Yorkshire Dales are top of our list and, whilst we have been to all these areas before, it would be lovely to know them in more depth. Other ports of call such as the Isles of Scilly, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides are on our list, as are one or two foreign destinations.

But then…. The New Forest is our nearest national park at just an hour and a half’s distance, yet we visit perhaps once a decade, so it would be lovely to get to know it a little better. Exploring your local area can be just as interesting and exciting. We made it our mission to visit all the National Trust properties, gardens and parks within about a 20 mile radius of home which has been lovely, and we’ll extend that range this year.

Decision Five: Inject some culture.

The Reason : I feel it can’t (or perhaps shouldn’t) be lakes and mountains all the time, and we need some mental stimulation and interest as well, so we plan to visit London more often. It’s a mere 40 minutes away by train away and we used to go more regularly, but rarely go these days. Museums, exhibitions and galleries are always of interest. It’s good to have a range and balance of interests I think.

But then…. London doesn’t have the monopoly on culture, interest and history, so we will also try and visit some of our other fascinating towns and cities.

Decision Six: Increase our cross training.

The Reason : We have started running again, but this is in addition to our daily walks and there's no real target to aim for, other than to increase our distance gradually and comfortably. I do regular yoga and Bro cycles using Zwift, both just to try and keep supple and build strength. We plan on getting out on our mountain bikes more and are hoping to get another dog towards the end of the year. 

But then…. Any form of gentle, differing exercise has to be a good thing on a regular basis. Even if you can’t get out, there are lots of exercises that can be done in the comfort of your own home, or sitting at your desk.

In Summary: I think and hope this year will be just as invigorating despite us not having a long term challenge or a specific set of targets and goals to aim for. By balancing out our physical activity with some mental stimulation, we hope to have an equally interesting, active and enjoyable 2025, and hope you do too!

WE FINISHED!!

After an enjoyable short break in September to Madeira and just before a lovely work trip to St Kitts & Nevis in November, we had our final visit of the year to the Lakes. With 12 Outlying Fells left to climb to finish them all, we had originally booked a week in mid October and planned to climb ten fells from Ravenglass, but our elderly parents and Bro all contracted Covid, so we cancelled that week and instead added three extra nights on to our November trip. 

We have, for the last three years, treated ourselves to a stay in a rather luxurious flat in Ambleside, and this year was no exception. The week was intended to be more leisurely and relaxing, back in the centre of the Lake District after our weeks in the far east or west of the region. We had planned to climb ten fells in October, leaving just two to do in the Kentmere Valley in November, so plans were quickly changed and it all worked well . The only slight exception were three three fairly lengthy drives of around an hour and a quarter each way, but it was no real hardship. We were very lucky with the weather in some respects; it was dry and mild enough for just a fleece, but there was a great deal of low lying cloud and fog which blanketed most of the country for that week. The previous week was wet and the following week was very cold with snow, so we think we were lucky, even though we didn't always get the views which was a shame.

Our first walk was from St Cuthbert's Church in the Kentmere Valley and we did have the views on this walk. We were tackling Hollow Moor and Nameless (Green Quarter Fell) and it was a very easy and enjoyable walk over gently undulating ground, with the Kentmere valley looking gorgeous in its autumn colours. A ruined barn was a welcome rest spot which had lovely views of Skeggles Water and the Bannisdale Horseshoe. A group of black and white fell ponies watched our descent.

The next objectives were Caw, Pikes and Green Pikes, starting from the hamlet of Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley. The day was mild and clear and the walk to Caw was very straightforward up to the old mine workings. As we were exploring the adit and the buildings, the cloud descended and we didn't emerge from it until our descent. From the mine workings, there was a bit of a steeper pull up, but nothing difficult and we soon came to the large trig point. There was a freezing wind and thick cloud on the top and it was such a shame we couldn't see the views, but we'd still enjoyed the walk. Carrying on through the mist was a navigation excercise, but after about twenty minutes we arrived at Pikes. No cairn this time, merely a small darker coloured rock balanced on an outcrop so we didn't linger long before setting off towards Green Pikes. This took a little longer as we made a slightly wrong turn but even so, we were soon on the narrow summit with its tiny marker stone and a bitterly cold wind. Our return route was quick and easy, stopping for a flask of hot pea soup before a lovely walk down into the valley, now out of the cloud and wind, affording us wonderful views.

The third walk of the week was in an area we really didn't know, starting from high on the Corney Fell Road and taking in Buck Barrow, Kinmont Buck Barrow, Burn Moor and Whitfell. The fog was extremely thick and it was a little disconcerting only being able to see about twenty feet ahead, but we didn’t take any wrong turns. We had a map and compass and took bearings every so often, noting them on one of our phones, while keeping the other off to conserve batteries, and used a fully charged GPS device with a spare power source. Even so, it was a navigation exercise, but one that Bro is extremely adept at now after all these years and I had complete confidence. The walking was very straightforward, although very marshy, and we walked quickly following what were probably sheep trails, pulling a Swaledale out of a bog on the way to Burn Moor, feeling very pleased as we watched her trotting off to join her flock. After enjoying hot chicken and vegetable soup on Whitfell’s rather cold and damp summit, the return was much quicker and we were soon back at the car, having enjoyed the walk, even if we had only had the odd, fleeting view.

Sadly that ended our week in the lovely Ambleside flat which had been warm, comfortable and convenient. We set off for Ravenglass, for three nights at the lovely Pennington Hotel, somewhere we'd stayed before. It too was warm, comfortable, the food was superb and we again had views of the estuary from our room watching incredible sunsets and birdlife. We decided that, as the weather was predicted to be fine on the Monday, we would wait until then for our final walk, leaving us with a free day. We ambled along the estuary at low tide, re-visiting the Roman Bath House, and carried further along the water’s edge to climb a small and prominent peak, Newton Knott. The views were amazing in all directions.

The day of our very last Outlying Fell dawned warm, clear and sunny. We were on the road by 7.30am and walking half an hour later. The pull up to the first summit of the day, White Combe, was steep but the views of the Upper Whicham Valley and the Duddon Estuary were stunning and we were warm in just fleeces; even on the summit, there was only the gentlest of breezes. We were filming ourselves with a view to making a film of this last walk as we’d done at the end of climbing the 214, so we spent some time getting different shots and angles before heading off in a more or less straight line to Stoupdale Head; a simple, flattish walk of perhaps a mile or so. We found this summit a little less inspiring than the last, although the views towards Black Combe were magnificent. It was then a very simple, enjoyable walk of about two miles past Whitecombe Head on a grassy, gently rising path, in glorious sunshine with all the views we could wish for. We approached the large wind shelter containing the trig point on the summit together, touching the top at the same time, then hugged, looked at each other and heaved a sigh of contented relief. We'd done it!

It wasn't quite as emotional an ending as the 214 had been, but it still felt very satisfying and we were delighted. We had a half bottle of Champagne in celebration and set about taking lots of photos and film shots before we were joined by another couple and then an older gentleman with whom we had an interesting chat. It started to get a little cooler as it was well into the afternoon by then and we must have been on the summit for about an hour, so we headed off via the south summit, before taking a steep route down past the Black Combe crags into the Whitecombe Valley which was gorgeous, and back to the car.

It feels bittersweet to have finished all 214 of Wainwright’s designated mountains, 116 of his Outlying fells and therefore the 330 fells and mountains of the Lake District. We’re incredibly pleased, delighted, chuffed, proud and even slightly surprised we’ve finished. It’s also incredibly sad though, not to be planning next year’s routes and summits as we’ve done for the past 15 or so winters.

It’s been an amazing, shared time and we have genuinely loved every minute. It’s been hard, frustrating, exhausting and challenging at times, but it’s also been gratifying, absorbing, exhilarating and thoroughly enjoyable. It has done wonders for our physical health, our general mental wellbeing, our tenacity, strength and stamina. It has changed us in so many ways for the better; we have more confidence, more determination and more positivity. We know we can put up with hours in great heat and bitter cold, torrential rain and freezing gales. We know we can keep going for ten hours over fairly tough terrian. Physically, we are more aware of our bodies and are fitter, stronger, faster and more toned. Along the way, we've learned about navigation, map reading, compass use, topography, first aid, weather patterns, geology, wildlife, bird life and local history, as well as meeting lots of lovely like minded people; all of which has enriched this wonderful experience.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and lots of safe and happy walking and climbing adventures in 2025 - perhaps you may even consider starting a new challenge….!!

A short Summer Lakes break

Faced with a few days off towards the beginning of July, we decided to head north for a short break. Our thinking was to try and ease the walking in our October and November visits by climbing Hesk Fell and Stainton Pike and, with our sensible heads on, avoid driving down the Duddon Valley and up onto the Birker Fell Road when the weather could potentially be a little less benign. We also wanted to re-visit Newton Fell North and Caermote (for the third time of trying), as these two would have been slightly more awkward to get to from where we were staying at the end of the year. 

We booked into a little bungalow between Waterhead and Ambleside for four nights, which proved to be warm, quiet and very comfortable. On our way to the accommodation, we parked in a layby just below Newton Fell North to re-climb it as we suspected we hadn't quite got to the top in 2017 and we were right; in fact, we hadn't been anywhere near it! It was a warm, muggy afternoon but the wildflowers were lovely, there were deer on the flanks and the heather was just coming into flower. The walk was very marshy and circuitous as we couldn't see a path for the shoulder high bracken, but the views once at the top were lovely.

Our next objectives were Hesk Fell and Stainton Pike. We hadn't tacked Hesk Fell onto The Pike when we climbed it in March last year as Bro had a problem with his ankle, and we hadn't gone on to Stainton Pike from The Knott in that same week as the weather was horrendous, so this would tidy things up nicely. We set out very early for the fairly long drive to Coniston, down the length of the Duddon Valley, then very sharply and steeply up onto the Birker Fell Road, parking at the end of a lane which crossed tiny Woodend Bridge. It was a gorgeous day with stunning views of the Scafells and Devoke Water around us. As we started up the huge, grassy, featureless bulk of Hesk Fell, the sun came out making it very warm indeed, but three quarters of an hour or so later, there was a lovely cooling breeze blowing across the wide, flat summit plateau and breathtaking views in all directions.

From there, we headed towards Stainton Pike, and it looked a fair distance away, but once we picked our way down Hesk's western flank, it was a fairly straightforward yomp across a lovely lonely valley and up the other side. Mist rolled in from the coast, but fortunately we were on the ridge just before it engulfed us, and we made our way to Stainton Pike in that strange muffled quiet you experience in thick mist. It was a very simple and pleasurable walk in an area which felt quite remote, but we were soon on the final pull up to the top. We found it was much cooler on the summit and, with the mist clearing every so often, provided wonderful views to Muncaster Castle and towards Wasdale. We also looked down on The Knott we'd climbed in horrendous weather the previous October, relieved that we hadn't attempted to go on to climb Stainton Pike back then as originally planned! After a bite to eat and some photos, we decided that, as we were only about a twenty minute walk from Yoadcastle, one of the Devoke Water fells, we would re-climb it as we wanted a proper summit shot. We also seemed to have been just slightly off to one side of the true summit when we climbed it in 2017, so we wanted to be sure. It was a very easy detour over gently undulating ground but with a fairly stiff little climb up to the summit knoll. We sat for a while, taking photos and admiring the vast landscape in front of us, then started down in a more or less in a dead straight line to the north of Hesk Fell, heading for a drystone wall we had walked beside when we set off. Hot chocolate sitting watching tiny chaffinches at the Crosby Snack Shed was very welcome before the drive back

That afternoon. we wandered into Ambleside and Brathay Park where a Lakeland Trails event was taking place. We sat and watched for a while, enjoying the atmosphere.

The following day we decided to climb Caermote and it would be our third attempt. Both previous attempts had resulted in us not feeling comfortable climbing without permission, especially as we knew for sure that it was on private land. This time we asked two farmers in a nearby field and they pointed out the farm which owned the land, so (after a fortifying cup of coffee!) we walked into the yard and knocked on the farmhouse door. The farmer couldn't have been friendlier or more welcoming and happily gave his permission, asking that we used a specific gate, and letting us there weren't any cows in the surrounding fields. All in all, it took no more than 15 minutes and had the most spectacular panoramic views, especially over to Scotland. A delightful little fell.

Our final stop just before we re-joined the motorway home, was stunning Sizergh Castle. It was raining slightly, but it didn't diminish our enjoyment of the beautiful gardens and grounds, and its fascinating history. All in all, it was a really productive, short visit and leaves us 12 Outlying Fells left to do. We have two more weeks booked in October and November, so fingers crossed for completion, bringing to an end our quest to climb all 330 mountains and fells of the Lake District!

Hike Healthy

Following on from my previous blog, this time I was pondering what it was I had to do in order for me to feel comfortable and happy out walking, and to enjoy my days out.

I've had a fairly active life and always much prefer being outdoors. As a child, I was encouraged to get outside. Television time was limited and we didn't have the internet or mobile phones, so we made our own entertainment. We had a large dog, I was pony mad and helped out at the stables every weekend and in the school holidays for years and I played a lot of sport at school. I discovered a love of walking in my late teens and this has continued up to the present day, and we also enjoy running, mountain biking and swimming.

Any form of hiking or climbing is hard work, there's no doubt about it, but with some effort, you can thoroughly enjoy your days as well. There's nothing better than achieving whatever goal you've set yourself that day, be it a mountain top, a multi day hike, a bike ride or just a bit of a longer dog walk. Try not to be put off by the weather, as you will need to get out in all conditions, in all seasons and on all types of different terrain. The following things have helped me over the years.

Building fitness - There’s no sugar coating this; it is essentially a lot of hard work and commitment and you do have to put the effort in. You don't want to go at it too hard if you're just starting out or you’ll probably end up feeling demoralised and then demotivated. For me, regular and repeated exercise has been the key to maintaining and increasing my fitness levels. It was no good visiting the Lakes perhaps three or four times a year, doing nothing in between and then expecting to be able to comfortably hike 10 miles over 7 or 8 hours. I had to maintain a level of fitness in between visits and that has meant walking every day, which I enjoy and really notice if I don't do it. In fact, I actually feel guilty and a bit grumpy if I don't do it. We always set ourselves a target mileage to achieve and try to walk faster than usual. We try to mix our walking up a little so it's not all on the flat, but there aren't many decent hills where we live, and you do need to climb hills to prepare for the hills. If we only have limited time or a flat walk, we mix it up with bursts of jogging then faster walking. We also take our mountain bikes out and we swim, do yoga and gym work for strength and suppleness and we always take the stairs.

Building stamina - I think this is where I've seen my biggest improvement. Over the last two decades, going for longer, harder and higher walks has meant that today, Bro and I know we can walk continuously and steadily for 10 hours over mountainous terrain quite comfortably. Walking speed has also increased as my legs and back became stronger. The key is to increase the length of your walks, walk faster,  include some running and always include some uphill, even jogging uphill. Any regular movement or sport will help though.

Getting enough sleep - I find this both easier and harder as I've got older. I'm usually beginning to nod off at about 10pm and go to bed around then. I do find I wake up in the night, but I'm usually awake by about 6am and I think seven hours is about right for me. There are the occasional nights when my mind's buzzing and I lie awake until the small hours, but I know I'll sleep well the next night, so I try to be relaxed about it. I always sleep with the window open, even in winter, and usually have the curtains open as well in summer. 

Eating well - We don't eat processed foods or use jars, packets and bottles of sauces, we always have plenty of fresh fish, fruit and veg, we limit tea or coffee - both decaf - to one cup a day and we eat lots of pulses, grains and beans. We don't have too much red meat, we try to reduce the amount of carbs we have and we try to eat seasonally. We're not perfect - we like the odd chocolate bar or biscuit, but everything in moderation. We always have a decent breakfast before a walk - granola with yoghurt and blueberries and a bagel or slice of brown toast, or porridge with honey and banana in the winter, and always a good meal after a big walk. We drink lots and lots of water throughout each and every day. I very rarely have alcohol, although Bro does occasionally have a pint of ale.

Preparing yourself - We keep toe nails short so they don't bang against the end of our boots. We look after our feet, treating anything like corns, calluses and dry skin immediately and keep feet clean, warm, dry and moisturised as much as we can. We moisturise faces and hands and use lots of sunscreen and lip balm. I don't wear lots of make up or jewellery on the hills, hair is tied back and underwear is comfortable. I would’t advise wearing new boots on a long walk as I did recently and suffered some discomfort in my knees on a couple of long descents. Make sure your kit is tried, tested and comfortable before you set off. Ensure you stretch and warm up properly before you set off, and warm down when you return. Try to maintain a good, positive attitude and try not to complain if it rains or you're finding it harder than you thought, or the day will probably be even more miserable. It will get better!

With some effort, perseverance and preparation, you should be able to enjoy your days out, comfortably and easily. 

Hike Happy

I was pondering the other day on what immediately comes to mind when I want to go for a walk. 

A leafy lane in summer with golden sunlight slanting through the trees? A cool, crisp winter's day striding the hills? Hunting for mushrooms in a darkening, damp woodland? The fresh scent of a bluebell wood in spring? A gentle stroll along the riverbank? Yes, all of these and much more, but whatever my mind conjures up, it makes me feel instantly happy.

Walking has such a powerful association with the things I love, that I can almost smell the leaf mold or the wood smoke of a distant bonfire in an autumnal forest, I can feel the chill of an icy breeze on the hilltop, I can see the wildflowers in the verge, smell the heather, touch rough tree bark, hear the skylarks and I love it. More than that, I need it. 

Our lives are all so busy, so noisy and so frantic, that it's lovely, not to mention vital, to switch off, still the chatter and enjoy something simpler, gentler and calmer. A walk for me is always a chance to clear my head and clear my mind and it always makes me happy or happier. When all you have to think about is what is in front of you, in that moment, then you're not worrying about answering that email, sending a thousand texts, checking your social media feeds or who said what to whom. 

A walk can soothe. An argument, an upset, a niggle, a problem, a tired mind. You can think more clearly, rationally and calmly. I love an evening walk to clear an aching, stuffy head from being indoors all day looking at a screen, enjoying and delighting in nature; flowers, birds, trees, scenery, horses in a field, the weather, the sights, sounds and smells; whatever it is. All of it and everything is added to the mix and results in a burst of endorphins and a wave of happiness.

I always, without fail, feel better.

Happier.

I love a twilight walk when the world seems different and unfamiliar but exciting. I love an early walk, heading into the sunrise of a cool dawn, watching the colours of the sky change by the minute. I love a quick scoot round our local woods, or a long, hard hike in the hills. I love a Christmas walk when everyone’s cheery and you can hurry home and thaw out by the fire. I love walking in all seasons and all weathers. It all makes me happy.

It doesn't have to be a full day out in amazing scenery, it could be a local walk from home that you've done a hundred times before. It could include the pleasure of walking and talking with a friend; focussing on the conversation and really listening. It could be a stroll alone, giving you the chance to take notice of the small things without distraction, or work through a problem in peace and quiet. It could just be taking the dog out and the simple, infectious pleasure that that brings. All of it makes me happy.

Even the anticipation of a walk brings me joy. Looking forward to a trip to the Lakes and being out on the hills when we live a five hour drive away. A coastal walk with the tang of salty air and the freshness of the sea. Planning a walk, planning your summer, working out which route to take or exploring new paths.

Walking is so good for us in so many ways. For me physically, I sleep better if I've had daily exercise and wake up feeling more relaxed and refreshed and looking forward to the day. Mentally, it increases my positivity, relaxes me, helps reduce anything I might be a little worried or upset about and helps me to feel more energised. Above all, it makes me feel happy and content.

So how do I feel about wanting to go for a walk, going for a walk or thinking about a walk? Happy, that's how!

happiness

The Tick List

Ticks are a perennial problem and one that can have serious, long term consequences if not caught and dealt with early. 

Ticks are prevalent all year round, but especially so from April to July when the weather is warmer. They favour damp, wet conditions, long grass, bracken and wooded areas where they loiter, waiting to latch on to the nearest warm blooded passer by, which could just be you.

We all know they can pass Lyme Disease onto their hapless victims, and more information on what to do if you are infected can be found at www.nhs.uk.

So what can we do to prevent being bitten and enjoy our summer days outdoors?

Try to cover up 

We never walk in the hills in shorts, not necessarily because of ticks, mainly just that we feel more comfortable in a lightweight pair of trousers instead. However, wearing long trousers will help prevent the little blighters latching on. Similarly, we usually tuck our Tshirts in (not the most attractive look I'll admit, but we rarely meet anyone and if we do. we yank them out again!). A light, long sleeve top will help if it's not too hot.

But I want to wear shorts

If you do, then use repellent containing DEET and check your legs regularly, brushing any off before they take hold. Men, with their hairier legs, need to check especially carefully.

Stick to the paths

Where possible, walk on paths or shorter grass and try to avoid pushing through long grass or high bracken. Try and perch on a rock or wall rather than sitting on the ground, and be wary of lying in long grass.

What about camping?

Try and pick a sunny spot as ticks like damp conditions, and one that isn't in the woods, but on more open ground. Bring chairs rather than sit on the floor, spray your tent with repellent and thoroughly shake everything out before you pack it all away. Perhaps leave all your kit out in the sun when you get home, as this will dry and shrivel any unwanted guests. Some camp sites spray for ticks.

Check and double check

A tick, unlike a mosquito bite, doesn't hurt or itch and you probably won't know you've been bitten. Check your clothing and any exposed skin every so often as you walk and brush any off immediately, When you get back to your home or accommodation, shake your boots outside and check yourself thoroughly all over, and that will mean someone else checking you from behind. Check crevices, under arms, in the groin area, on the backs of legs and stomachs, but do check everywhere very thoroughly. They are usually fairly easy to spot, but may be harder in those more 'awkward' areas. 

What do you do if you find one embedded in you? 

Don't touch it, rub it or scratch it. The important thing it to try and get the little critter out whole; you don't want to leave the head in and you don't want to squash it as you remove it. Use a tick tweezer or a fine pointed pair. Get a good grip on the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull firmly, but carefully and preferably straight out, not at an angle. Once everything is out - and you can usually see the whole tick at the end of the tweezer - dispose of the tick carefully, wash your hands, wash the area with soap and water and leave it alone. Don't keep touching it. Not all ticks carry the disease and even if the tick contains the bacteria, it is still possible not to get infected..

But what do you do if it is infected?

Keep an eye on the area over the following 3-30 days. If you experience any flu like symptoms, reddening of the skin or changes in the feeling or appearance of your skin, see your doctor straight away. Early diagnosis is key. 

What about my pets?

Dogs are very susceptible to ticks, but cats can be as well, and they can all contract Lyme Disease like humans, so keep them out of long grass if you can, and check them thoroughly all over in the same way as you would yourself. You can get repellent impregnated collars and preventative treatments, but your vet will give you advice on what is best or recommended. If you do find a tick, use a tick tool and make sure, as with yourself, that you remove the whole tick. If you notice any changes in your pets' mood or behaviour, see your vet straight away.  

It's a shame these little pests can mar a summer's day outdoors, but with care and vigilance, we can still enjoy our time outside.

The Lakes in Spring

Our second visit of the year to the Lakes in May was in complete contrast to our week in March. This time, we were blessed with wonderful weather and it reminded us how lovely it is to walk in Tshirts when it's warm and relatively dry underfoot. This was to be our final visit to the north eastern Lakes, climbing the last of nine Shap Fells we had left to do. 

Our first, and longest, walk was the Wet Sleddale Horseshoe, onto which we also tacked Wasdale Pike and it was quite a long, physical day. The weather was overcast with some light drizzle at the beginning of the morning, but it was thankfully warm. Underfoot was very marshy and running wet in parts, but for the most part dry. Navigation wasn't a problem even though there weren't any discernible paths, but the terrain was hard going - uneven, rough grass, hidden rocks, vast swathes of heather and lots of undulation. However, we also had beautiful views down the length of Wet Sleddale and across to Swindale, but it felt very remote indeed and we didn't meet or see anyone else all day. Wet Sleddale is a pretty valley, and it was lovely to see it from a different angle. 

A visit to Temple Sowerby and Acorn Bank provided an opportunity to visit a new area, and we thoroughly enjoyed wandering round the beautiful gardens and orchards, before following the wonderfully named Crowdundle Beck to a small working mill, then back along a woodland path lined with the most prolific swathes of wild garlic we've ever seen. The sight and smell was incredible and ran from the mill all the way back to the main house. 

The following day found us out early to drive the thirty or so miles to Keswick to attend the Mountain Festival for a second time. The weather was perfect and it was wonderful to be back in amongst the scenery of the northern fells once again. We wandered down and round Derwentwater taking photos. then had a cup of coffee outside at the Lakeside Cafe, before spending time at the lively festival. Lunch was at the lovely Elm Cafe in George Fisher's which was Abrahams when we last ate there, but the changes were lovely and the food was delicious. Somewhat reluctantly, we left Keswick later that afternoon and headed back to Shap, checking into the Shap Wells Hotel for our second stay there, heading immediately up into their little woodland to watch the Red Squirrels which was a delight. The weather was now beautifully warm.

Todd Fell and Whiteside Pike were next on our list to tackle, and they were absolutely stunning. The sun was bright, it was warm and dry, there was a profusion of wildflowers and lambs, and the whole walk only took us around two hours,, so we were able to drink it all in. Bannisdale looked stunning, with vast sweeps of bluebells carpeting the fellside. A gentler day followed and we spent a lot of time in the woods back at the hotel, watching, photographing and filming the squirrels which was magical. We made the short drive to pretty Orton village to buy one or two food items that afternoon to take with us on our walk the next morning; the Crookdale Horseshoe. 

As the weather was forecast to be much warmer, we were on the fellside at 7am in the cool of a misty morning. Walking along the ridge from High House Bank to Robin Hood then on to Lord's Seat, was delightful; easy, only very slightly undulating, warm, clear, dry, on a path of sorts and with wonderful views in all directions. We made good time and enjoyed every minute, sitting for some time on each summit. From Lord’s Seat, we headed off piste towards Crookdale Beck, where we stopped for coffee and a bite to eat observed by a herd of curious sheep, before heading back up and over Whatshaw Common, meeting two fellow outlying fell walkers and enjoying an interesting half hour chat with them.

We headed home early the next morning as rain was forecast, but it had been a wonderful, enjoyable week. We were a little sad to have finished the Shap Fells; indeed all the eastern fells now, in this beautiful and remote corner of the National Park. Our next visit will be to the west coast, but I think often and with much affection about those gentle fells and the red squirrels in that special, magical little woodland.  

The Marvellous Map

There's something so satisfyingly reassuring about looking at a map. The look, the feel, the colours, the artwork. Endless possibilities, adventures, outings, exploration. The excitement of planning a route, a day in the hills or a long distance hike. Spreading it out on the table in the depths of winter beside an open fire when the rain is hammering at the window is a deeply pleasurable way to spend a cold, dark afternoon.

Throughout our entire time climbing the Wainwright fells of the Lake District, and our ongoing quest to complete all 116 Outlying fells, we have relied heavily on tried and tested kit and equipment. As mentioned in previous blogs, this vital kit has been honed over a decade and a half, and all of it is trusted implicitly to keep us comfortable and confident in the hills, in all seasons, all weathers and often in fairly remote areas.

One of our most trusted and most used items we always have with us, even on our day to day walks at home, is an invaluable Ordnance Survey map. We have been using these wonderful maps for decades and have a vibrant orange and pink row of them filling an entire shelf. We favour the 1:25 000 scale with the waterproof surface for their detail, but we also use the 1:50 000 scale for gentler days out and about closer to home. We also have the Outdoor Active app on a dedicated Land Rover android telephone which includes a built in GPS antenna, on which we have the OS maps for whichever region we're going to be walking in, and this really has been a game changer.

Many times on walks close to home, we've followed unknown tracks and paths, enabling us to walk further and longer, exploring new areas that we simply wouldn't have found otherwise. Many a time in the middle of a forest, we've found new paths which have been a delight to walk, and I'm sure many a wrong turn has been avoided on many occasions. My brother is a very experienced navigator and also uses the app to record all our walks so we can measure improvements in walking speeds, mileages, elevations and distances; useful for fitness training.  All our walks are stored on the Outdoor Active app, filed by region.

We've been able to successfully navigate our way over totally unfamiliar terrain in totally unfamiliar areas in thick mist and fog without a wrong turn; even managing to shave off distance on more than one occasion. During one 10 mile walk in a new and very remote area in a whiteout, not once did we feel unsure or worried, not once did we go wrong and not once did the OS maps let us down. It was both incredible and reassuring; just the walking companion you need, and can rely on.

We've plotted routes, planned cycle rides, and used them solely to navigate nine years of climbing all 214 Wainwright mountains. They were invaluable to check gradients and whether paths ran close to steep drops and edges, as we had strong dogs with us needing to be kept on leads. We've used them to explore new areas, areas we aren't or weren’t so familiar with, visit places of interest as part of the walks such as stone circles, we've framed them and personalised them. We have also been able to download maps offline so we can still use them in areas where a signal may be a little patchy or non existent.

A paper OS map and a compass are always in our pack, as are our fully charged phones and spare batteries for the GPS device. On more than one occasion we've been able to point people in the right direction by showing them our map, advising them on the right path to take, work out alternative routes if they were way off course, pointing out the fell they're aiming for, warn them of certain areas to avoid or those which might be trickier to cross. Needless to say, on most of these occasions, they weren’t carrying a map…

A map is such a wonderful, inspirational tool to get you out into the great outdoors; travelling, exploring and exercising. What a resource, and how lucky we are to have it.

Coping with adverse weather conditions : Rain

We’ve just returned from our first visit of the year to the Lake District. We climbed ten Outlying Fells in three walks, leaving us just 24 to do in order to finish all 116, which we hope to complete this year. Two of the walks were in overcast, fairly windy but dry weather, but the last walk was in torrential rain, high wind and poor visibility, although thankfully not too cold.

So why did we walk on that particular day you may wonder, and it was certainly something we asked ourselves on more than one occasion! Heavy rain was forecast for the remaining three days of our week’s stay and we had already put this walk off by a day, but there was no other option, given that this is what we’d planned for the week. Also, frankly, we didn’t really want to come all the way back up to the far north east of the Lake District again, given that we’ve booked into accommodation as close as possible to the remaining walks throughout this year.

So, how do you prepare for, and then cope with, long walks in heavy rain?

1. Thankfully, in our experience, days like the one we had are fairly few and far between, but are really are much more of a mental than a physical challenge. To look out of the window and see low lying cloud and wind whipping the rain in horizontal sheets does mean a fair amount of mental determination is needed before venturing out. If you have the right mindset and focus, accept it’s going to be a bit miserable, but relish the challenge, then that’s the first hurdle overcome.

2. Most importantly, you really do need the right clothing. If you’re fairly serious about your walking, you will need to invest in one or two key things to enable you to stay out all day. First, a good Gore-Tex waterproof jacket is essential and you may need to spend a bit more on it to ensure it’s both comfortable and practical. No jacket is going to keep you 100% dry, but if you are mostly dry and more importantly, warm, you can stay out for hours. A cagoule or thinner raincoat just won’t be robust enough. Secondly, you will need Gore-Tex waterproof overtrousers (mine weren’t nearly as expensive as jackets can be), but you will be so glad of their wind and rain prevention capabilities. I have a pair which are comfortable to wear and work like a dream. Next is a thick pair of Gore-Tex gauntlet gloves. Mine have a soft fleece lining and, whilst they did get sodden, my hands were still warm and relatively dry at the end of six hours. Lastly, I would recommend a waterproof rucksack cover. They usually come in eye wateringly bright colours, but that’s what you want in the mist and fog, and they really do keep everything in your pack super dry.

3. Accept that your feet will get wet. We had never encountered so much surface water as that day, as well as slippery rocks, slimy mud, swollen becks, raging waterfalls and saturated grass. I can tolerate wet feet as long as they don’t get cold, and my boots do leak, so we took a small microfibre towel and spare socks, just in case our feet got really cold, which thankfully they didn’t. My boots took five days to dry out though…

4. Wear a hat under your hood. It keeps the hood snugly in place and your head warm and dry. Tuck longer hair up or tie it back to prevent it getting caught in zips and sticking to your face in the wind and rain.

5. Use walking poles. They were invaluable on this walk for stability and balance on slippery ground and for poking into streams and marshes to test the depths.

6. Make sure you know how to navigate. We were in a very remote area with not a soul around, in miles of grassland with lots of rocky tops, in thick mist. When you’re turning this way and that, trying to find a summit in an expanse of grassy moorland, it’s easy to become disorientated, especially when there aren’t as many recognisable features with which to pinpoint your location. Make sure you have waterproof covers for GPS devices and maps, spare batteries and ensure phones are fully charged and in protective cases.

7. Take food you can snack on quickly. It isn’t always easy or pleasant to try and sit in the pouring rain when there isn’t much shelter, and you will find you get cold very quickly when you stop moving. Whatever your food of choice, make sure it doesn’t take you long to get it out of your pack and eat. You could keep something in a pocket, but I don’t tend to as I don’t really want a soggy mess to eat.

8. Take a sit mat with you. It will prevent you having a cold backside at the very least, whilst giving your feet and back a rest, if only for five or ten minutes.

9. Carry a water bladder. It’s not overly appealing drinking cold water in the rain, but keeping hydrated is important and it saves having to stop and rummage in your pack for a water bottle whilst everything inside gets soaked, and you get cold.

10. Watch where you put your feet. We both slipped, mainly on mud, and we were watching our foot placement, but be more vigilant when everything’s sodden. Rocks become especially lethal.

11. Keep positive. Try to block out the discomfort and and enjoy what you can see around you, even if it’s just fleeting glimpses through the cloud. We still had beautiful, misty valley views every so often, some gorgeous black fell ponies and stunning waterfalls to admire. Thinking about a hot bath got me through about two and a half miles of valley walking whilst slipping and sliding around in the mud.

12. Always let someone know where you’re going, especially if you’re walking, hiking, climbing, running or cycling alone. Know how to call for help and carry a whistle and head torch in case you start running out of daylight.

13. Finally, try to see the funny side of your situation rather than bemoaning it. We laughed when one or other of us skidded or tripped (after we made sure we weren’t hurt!) and there were lots of times when we looked at each other, laughed and asked ourselves what on earth we were doing, but it really helped. When you get back, take off those wet clothes, soak in the bath, sit by the fire and dry off and you’ll find that, strangely, these are the types of walks that stay in the memory for longer!

What to...? Do after your walk

This is the last post in the ‘What to’ series, and once you’ve finished your long day in the hills, that’s it right? Pub, pint and home? Well, yes and no. There are one or two things to bear in mind after a hard day’s exercise.

Stretch and Massage : Even if you’re fit, you can still feel stiff and sore and if like us, you’re not in the first flush of youth, there may well be the odd ache, pain or twinge to deal with. My lower back is always a bit stiff after a long day and a good stretch back at the car is lovely. Taking the weight of the rucksack off and then the weight off your feet feels great. We warm down by stretching arms above heads, touching toes, rolling shoulders, bending and then simply sitting with bare feet. Taking your boots off (and wet socks) is also lovely and massaging the blood back into your feet feels wonderful, as it does with your shoulders. We usually sit and do all this for about half an hour before anything else, although we do a sitting down, simplified version of this in the car or back at our accommodation if it’s freezing or raining. We usually take a massage roller with us to really iron out any knots.

Food & Drink : You will have used up a lot of calories on a full, physical day, so make sure you have a decent meal. If, like us, you don’t tend to feel that hungry during the day and only eat relatively small amounts, this is important and many a time I think I haven’t felt like a meal, then when it arrives, I’ve realised I was hungry after all. On the odd occasion though, I have been ravenous for something to eat! Similarly, rehydration is vitally important. I’ve mentioned having dehydration before, years ago, when a pint of water and a pint of Ribena did the trick, along with a hot meal and a couple of hours sleep. In high summer, you will probably be slightly dehydrated, so something other than water is better, as you don’t want to flush any more salts out of your system. We’ve had squash or lemonade which has helped, as has a salty snack and a light meal. I tend to get a slightly upset stomach when I get a little dehydrated, so rice and plain grilled chicken is what I go for and we always avoid tea, coffee and alcohol as well.

Kit : There’s a tendency to get back to your home/hotel/self catering cottage/apartment and just dump all your muddy, wet gear in a pile and leave there it until the next morning. This stuff is expensive and a little bit of TLC ensures firstly that it lasts, but also that it’s ready for your next walk. We always change shoes and socks in the car, so wet socks, hats and gloves go on radiators, we empty and air wet rucksacks, wipe mud off waterproof trousers and trekking poles, stuff boots with newspaper (well I do as mine leak), hang up waterproof jackets and any other wet bits and pieces. Our dry bags are emptied and wiped out, rubbish is thrown away and most everything else laid out on a table overnight to dry and/or air. In hotel rooms, it’s a little more difficult, but we hang things over the bath or shower and then lay wet clothes on the floor. It all looks a bit of a mess, but it’s effective and you don’t want to make the room too damp and steamy by having everything on radiators. We always take two pairs of boots with us and so have a dry pair ready for the next walk.

Baths & Showers : What can be better to ease sore feet and aching muscles than a long soak in boiling foamy water?! Many a walk in the cold and wet has been motivated by this thought. Showers are just as good in the summer for cooling down and freshening up. Equally as good in the heat of high summer is full immersion in a stream or small river, fully clad, to cool off, as is sluicing head, neck and arms in crystal clear, cold water throughout the day.

Rest : I love that warm, fuzzy feeling you get from physical exercise; so much better than that headachy mental tiredness at the end of a working day. Bizarrely, we find that a lot of exercise stimulates us to the extent we’re not always that tired at the end of the day, but there have been occasions in the past where we’ve fallen asleep in front of the TV. Get plenty of rest, sleep with a window open, relax and let your body recuperate and repair.

Plan the next walk : A decade ago, we would go away for two weeks and walk and climb every day. We now prefer to walk every other day (although our walking days are invariably still quite long with a lot of climbing). We have usually planned our week before we go, so we know roughly what we want to do or achieve, and then our ‘rest’ days are taken at a more leisurely pace which we quite enjoy. In November, after a 9 mile walk and 4 mountains, the rain was utterly torrential the next day and we spent it in our accommodation, reading, planning and relaxing which was both very unusual for us (we’re not good at sitting around) and quite enjoyable for a change.

Whatever you do, take care of yourselves and your kit, ready for the next outing!

What to...? Do with your kit

In the penultimate blog of this series, I’m going to focus on looking after your walking kit.

Your things are hard earned, expensive, researched, valued and essential, so it pays to look after them when you’re not walking.

Boots : We have quite a few pairs of boots between us and storing them is a little bit of a problem as we don’t want them taking over every available space. Bro has size 12 feet, so his boots are massive and take up a lot of room. I have two pairs of boots I use for what I call my proper walks. At home, I have a lighter, cheaper pair that I abuse by leaving them covered in mud, which I know I shouldn’t, but we walk every day and it’s an occupational hazard in winter. With my ‘proper’ boots, when we come back from the Lakes or Peaks, I always rinse them out with a little soap and warm water and leave them to dry in the garden, then spray them with a deodoriser. I brush all the mud off, check the laces and make sure they’re dry before storing them in a cupboard.

Trekking Poles : Again, when we get home from time away, we wipe our poles down, clean any mud off and store them in a cupboard. We don’t tend to use them on everyday walks, but both have a lighter weight, folding pair for shorter trips when we want to save weight.

Down Jackets & Waterproofs : We have in the past re-proofed our jackets and I have washed down jackets in a special detergent. After wiping them down, drying and airing them thoroughly, they’re stored on hangers in cupboards. Over trousers are scrubbed to get mud off and hung outside to dry, then stored flat in a drawer.

Rucksacks : We do abuse our packs - hurling them down, dumping them in the mud, yanking them open and stuffing wet things in, but we do empty them out, wash them inside, scrub any mud off, make sure they’re dry, check all the straps and store them flat.

Water Bottles, Bladders & Flasks : Bladders are a real pain to clean and we always leave them until last. You can get specific cleaning kits, but we wash ours out with hot water, soak the tubes and mouthpieces in hotter water, dry them with a cloth then store them flat. We check the mouthpieces which we have replaced them a couple of times, as either grime or mould gets embedded in the ridges and grooves. We also recently replaced the bladders themselves as they start to look a bit manky after a while, and ours get stained pink by our berry flavoured electrolyte tablets. Water bottles and flasks are washed in hot water and stored standing up.

Everything else : We have three plastic storage boxes; one larger for those items we don’t use that often, like spikes, a Jetboil, bits of cooking equipment and so on. One smaller box is for the things we use the most and don’t want to rummage in the big box for, and the other smaller box is for our dry bags and bladders to lie flat in. These are stored in a cupboard along with our trekking poles, spare boots, crampons and wetsuits. It all only takes up about one and a half small shelves.

What to...? Consider as a female walking alone

I suspect most women are generally hyper aware of their surroundings when walking alone, which is a sad fact of the world we live in, but it can also be about building confidence and positivity and feelings of accomplishment and freedom. 

When I was about 16, we had a talk at school from a police officer. It was all about staying safe when you were on your own. Some of the things he mentioned stuck with me and I still practice decades later, such as always having your key ready in your hand as you approach your car, always parking under or near a light, walking confidently, keeping to the middle of the pavement or crossing the road if there's someone behind you. My mum also told me to be vigilant, not to go down dark lanes or into parks and woods as it gets dark, not to walk home from town after a night out or get into a taxi alone. All of this is good, sensible advice to try and keep us safe and well in more urban environments, but what about walking in the hills as a lone female?

Start small

If you haven't done it before, start with a shorter walk in an area you know there’ll be more people and perhaps go at a weekend for the same reason. I've only done it a few times and it is a little disconcerting to begin with especially (for me) walking through woods. I chose more popular areas and went in the middle of summer. When I relaxed, I found I really enjoyed it. 

Tell someone...

It's vital to let someone know exactly where you're going, your planned route and a rough estimate of how long you think it might take. Make sure your friends and family know your mobile number and perhaps the registration of your car if you're driving. You could give this information to a hotel receptionist or leave a note in your car or in your self catering apartment. If you do leave a note in your car, make sure it isn't too obvious and perhaps also include a brief description of what you’re wearing, or the colour of your jacket at the very least. The Wasdale Head Inn for example, has a book by the door where you list which mountains you'll be tackling that day along with the time you leave, then you sign back in on your return.

...But don't tell everyone

Don't broadcast when and where you're going on social media or in the pub before you do the walk. Post your accomplishment and lovely photos after the event! Similarly, don’t be too specific about your route to others you meet along the way.

Be prepared 

As it's just you, you need to be super prepared for the day. You need enough food and drink, a proper first aid kit with survival blanket or emergency shelter, the right clothing for the conditions and possible changes in those conditions, a head torch and sensible and comfortable footwear. Make sure you have a fully charged phone, a map and compass and know your route and alternatives if you change your plans. You might consider a GPS tracking device if you plan to do a lot of mountain or fell walking in more remote areas. Plan your day according to the time of year, know your limitations and don't try to be too ambitious if you're just starting out. Check public transport timetables and the weather forecast.

Calling for help

If you do feel unwell or have an accident, know how to call for help. Dial 999, ask for the Police then ask them to put you through to Mountain Rescue. You will have to give a location and grid reference. If you have a whistle - and some packs come with them, but it’s worth buying one if they don’t as they’re pretty inexpensive - the distress call is six sharp blasts, followed by a minute of silence, then six blasts and so on.

Wear bright colours

There was a terrible tragedy a few years ago when three men were caught in an avalanche in Scotland, but the rescue helicopter couldn't spot them as they were all wearing grey or black. Walking clothing comes in very bright colours and orange is particularly good in winter. If you don't have a brightly coloured jacket, think about a waterproof cover for your rucksack, as they come in the brightest and most luminous shades of orange, yellow and green and are relatively inexpensive.

On the hill

One of the things that makes me nervous wherever I am, is someone walking really closely behind me and that feeling of having to walk faster and faster. If someone is behind you and you feel uncomfortable, stop and pretend to tie a bootlace, get something out of your pack, take a photo or just look at the view until they overtake you. The chances are you'll simply receive a good morning as they pass. If however you meet someone and do feel uneasy, don’t admit you’re alone; you can always say you’re in front of or behind a group or your partner/friend.

Be Aware

It's not all about other people, though. You need to be much more aware of your surroundings when on your own. Uneven ground, steep drops, narrow edges, loose rocks, wet grass, snow and ice and slippery slate paths can all trip the unwary. Try not to walk with headphones plugged in, hands in your pockets or look at a phone screen or map as you're walking. Be sure of your route and be aware of your foot placement. 

Trust your instincts

They're yours and you're not going to mislead yourself. Your gut feeling is a powerful tool in your arsenal and shouldn't be ignored. If something - or someone - doesn't feel right or makes you feel uncomfortable, trust your intuition and act accordingly. Even if you turn back, the hills will be there another day. I once visited Scotland alone and something told me not to go up a hill to a ruined castle. It was a very strong, immediate feeling, one I’ve only had on perhaps two other occasions in my life, and it was like no other feeling I’ve had.

Enjoy it

The beauty of it all is that you only have yourself to please and you're presumably where you want to be, doing what you want to do, so don't let feeling nervous spoil it. People I’ve met on the hill are generally lovely and very friendly. You can go at your own pace, stop as many times as you want. go as fast as you want, deviate to look at something interesting, indulge that interest in pretty rocks without feeling you're holding someone else back, lie in the grass, take endless photos, whatever...it doesn't matter. It's just you, revelling in it all.

What to...? Wear in Winter

Continuing the next in the series of ‘What to’, I am often asked what I wear in the winter on a long mountain day to keep warm and dry.

Alfred Wainwright once said that ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing’, which is very true.

In our early days of walking, we wore very unsuitable clothing, mainly because we didn’t know any better, we probably didn’t really care, we definitely didn’t give it any thought and we were possibly indifferent enough to think we would be fine. It’s only when you freeze in thin cotton trousers, get soaked in a meagre cagoule, endure agonising shoulder pain from a hideously oversized rucksack or are crippled by cheap second hand boots that you begin to cast around in desperation for something, ANYTHING, that will make you more comfortable.

This is by no means a speedy process. It has taken us about ten years to hone our kit and clothing. Only last year Bro finally found a pair of boots that don’t aggravate his sciatica and achilles after years of intermittent flare ups, much to his delight. It will, and does, involve trial and error, money, time, a bit of effort and some research, but it is so worth it. Walking clothing is expensive, but it’s designed to last and the fabrics are specifically and technically designed for their purpose.

So, here’s what I choose:

Hats : I love a bobble hat and have a few in a range of colours. Invaluable and worn pretty much on all our winter walks, they are also lovely and cosy under a hood in the rain. I favour hand knitted woollen hats, but anything warm will do.

Scarves : I don’t tend to wear a scarf as most of my tops have a zip which does up just under my chin, as does a down or waterproof jacket, but I have occasionally worn a Buff and I do have a wool scarf which I’ve worn when it snows on walks from home.

Baselayers/Fleeces/Jackets : This depends on what the day’s weather is going to be. My favourite, go-to combination would be a long sleeve zip neck merino wool baselayer with a down jacket. I find it’s enough to keep me warm even on a cold day without being bulky. If it’s going to be cold and wet, I’ll go for a wicking Tshirt with a thin fleece under a waterproof jacket (plus a down jacket if it’s freezing). If it’s cold and windy, I’ll wear a Tshirt under my merino wool baselayer with a down jacket, but I’ve never felt the need to wear Tshirt, baselayer, fleece and down jacket as Bro does. My waterproof jacket is really windproof as well, and is also very comfortable to be in all day.

Gloves : I have very thin hands and fingers, in which I have a touch of rheumatism, so I’m always conscious that I need to keep my hands warm. I have a few pairs of gloves in various thicknesses from thin summer weight to full on Gore-Tex gauntlets and take whichever is appropriate. Mittens are a good idea when it’s cold as you can make a fist inside the glove to keep fingertips warm. You can’t beat a Gore-Tex gauntlet when it’s pouring and freezing though.

Trousers : I have a lovely pair of fleece lined trousers I use when it’s really cold, otherwise I wear standard walking trousers and put on waterproof over trousers if it’s wet or windy. I got a thin pair of long johns for Christmas which I shall be trying under my trousers.

Boots & Socks : I swear by Bridgedale’s winter weight trekking socks. I don’t ever wear two pairs of socks as I find one thick pair is sufficiently warm for me. Having said that, my trusty Salomon boots are about a decade old now and are beginning to split, so I did get soaking wet feet last November and my toes froze in the cold wind. A change of socks would have been sensible (I left them in the car), but walking briskly warmed them up. I think I’ll have to break in a new pair of boots this winter though…

If you choose your clothing wisely, you should be able to enjoy your days out, whatever the weather throws at you.