20 Golden Nuggets
/Our hiking career started what is now well over 30 years ago. Fell walking, hiking and climbing all over the world, the UK and the last decade intensively climbing the Wainwrights in the Lake District.
I’ve listed twenty golden nuggets of common sense and advice I wish I been told all those years ago, because it would have saved a lot of discomfort and effort. They are all pretty straightforward, hopefully sensible and practical and all honed over years of making mistakes and learning from them (which has been kind of fun!)
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
In the early years, we just bowled off without really looking at maps or guidebooks, resulting in much longer and in some cases, much harder routes. In Wainwright climbing terms, we’ve missed fells out for various reasons (too tired, too far, bad weather) which has meant long additional days going back to them and most of them were in the middle of a ridge and took ages.
TAKE THE RIGHT FOOD
We really didn’t take enough at the beginning and what we took ended up soggy, tasteless and squashed flat. Utterly unappealing. We then went for spicy, strong flavours which made us feel queasy. We now take food we actually look forward to eating and much less sweet and spicy options; boiled eggs, chicken chunks, brazil nuts, dried fruit…but not all at once….
DON’T GO AT IT TOO HARD
There is a temptation to go full pelt, head down to ‘get it over with’ day after day, especially if you’re away for a week or two, but all that happens is you end up exhausted and not enjoying it. We always have a day’s rest in between walks to re-charge and it really makes a difference.
GET SOME DECENT BOOTS
What more to say really? Blisters, rubbing and chafing are agonising on the day and and could in the long run end up doing serious damage to tendons, ankles, knees and hips. You really shouldn’t think about your feet at all if you’ve got it right.
TAKE TIME TO LOOK AROUND YOU
Isn’t this why we all do it? Why we flog up steep hills and rocky paths or squelch through endless mud and marsh? The views, the outdoors, the fresh air. It’s a beautiful world and we’re all in too much of a hurry most of the time to appreciate it.
IF YOU PEE ON THE HILL, USE PAPER
This is more for the ladies. I know it’s indelicate, but you get hot and sweaty walking and if you haven’t used paper, it’s not good. Nipping and burning when you pee leads to stomach ache - it’s not comfortable and please don’t ignore it hoping it’ll go - cranberry juice and over the counter treatments don’t work, only a course of antibiotics cures it. Drink plenty, use paper and carry a plastic bag with you to put it in afterwards.
LEARN TO GIVE UP
For whatever reason; too tired, too late, too wet, too cold, boots rubbing, dog pulling. Some days you just won’t be feeling it and it’s much more sensible to give up, turn around and call it a day. It’ll all still be there the next time.
PUT CLOTHING ON BEFORE IT GETS COLD OR WET
Obvious really, but I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve fumbled in rucksacks for waterproofs as it’s hammering down, tried to force overtrousers on in a gale and if you’ve ever tried to get gloves on soaking, numb hands in a hail storm….. Bro always seems to let his hands get red raw frozen before he puts gloves on, but I have a touch of rheumatism in a couple of fingers so try to keep them as warm and dry as possible. Similarly, take clothes off before you overheat.
MAKE SURE YOUR CLOTHES ARE COMFORTABLE
And by that, I mean every item of clothing you wear. If you’re aware of what you’re wearing, it’s wrong.
READ THE GUIDEBOOKS
Having a quick read of a guidebook of the area you’re walking or visiting means you won’t miss anything of interest. If you’re climbing peaks, it could mean you take in additional, lesser summits you didn’t know were nearby. I can’t tell you the number of things like stone circles and burial mounds I’ve missed by about 100 feet.
DON’T TRY TO BE TOO GROOMED
Elaborate hairstyles will sink and flop with the addition of a woolly hat or hood, make up will run in the rain or sweat off and jewellery will either be lost or dig in. Best to tie long hair up and keep cosmetics to a minimum. I only wear a simple pair of stud earrings and even then I’ve lost the back off them twice by tucking sodden hair behind my ears.
MUSIC REALLY HELPS
This is a relatively new one for us. A couple of years ago we tackled the nose of High Hartsop Dodd and put some music on while we climbed and we were at the top before we knew it. We’ve since plugged in for a couple more steep climbs and it really helps to focus your mind. I certainly don’t advocate blaring music for all to hear, or being plugged in all day - just for the big climbs.
DRINK PLENTY
Probably one of the most important elements of any day in the outdoors. Just because you’re not thirsty, doesn’t mean you aren’t dehydrated. Electrolyte tabs will help with the favour of your water and with replacing lost salts, as too much water can flush them out. Over hydration isn’t good either.
STOP TO BREW COFFEE
Again, this is fairly new for us as we have never liked the taste of tea or coffee from a flask and we didn’t always want to carry any additional weight on a long day in the hills. However, on weekend or low level walks, we always take a little burner and brew a decent cup of coffee with real milk and freshly ground coffee. It really boosts morale and gives you a halfway stop to look forward to, a reward at the end of a walk, or a pleasant thing to do even if you’re just sitting on a bench admiring the view.
KEEP YOUR WRISTS WARM
Keep your wrists warm keeps your hands warm. Lots of arteries are in your wrists and it’ll keep the blood warmer before it gets to your hands. Similarly, running cold water over your wrists in hot weather cools you down.
GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME
Walking does sometimes take longer than you think. You may decide to take a different route, to make it longer, to climb another peak or sit in the sun for a while. You may be tired, just not in a rush, generally slower or been stuck in traffic and arrived later than you intended. Just make sure you’ve got enough time and energy for the return, because you really don’t want to be descending in the dark or over bog if you don’t have to. Be especially mindful of this in winter.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
Take note of how you feel. Don’t ignore any persistent aches, pains or twinges. Bro had real knee trouble that he put down to a sprain - turned out to be a torn meniscus needing surgery. Eat sensible foods as you walk to avoid queasiness. Note that hot spot where a blister might be forming, drink more to avoid a nasty headache developing and think about how your rucksack’s fitting and packed if your shoulders or back are sore at the end of a walk. Prevention is better than cure and all these symptoms means something’s not quite right.
HELP YOUR BODY
Obviously, fitness is hugely beneficial as we all know. Core strength seems to be at the, well, core of everything; strengthening your back, helping your legs and improving posture but there are other ways we can help too. Walking poles can take the strain off your knees on descents and help with balance and stability, insoles can correct your gait and compression clothing can help increase blood flow and recovery time. Cover, plaster and file corns, blisters and calluses, keep toenails short, balm your lips, moisturise your face, slap on sunscreen, put on sunglasses and icepack aching muscles. Stretch, roll, soak and massage. Eat well and sleep well. Pamper your feet and respect your back, or it’ll go out more than you do.
INVEST IN THE RIGHT CLOTHING
I don’t mean go out and spend a month’s salary on a jacket, but one or two carefully chosen pieces really will make a difference if you intend to make your chosen activity a regular thing. Made from the right materials, to help with perspiring, waterproofing, support, comfort, aerodynamics or warmth, they’ll help you enjoy your days in the outdoors that much more.
MAKE IT ENJOYABLE
If you’re in an area to climb, it can be a little relentless if you’re not careful, especially if you have limited time. It’s tough, climbing fells or mountains, walking long distance paths or crossing boggy moorland, so take time to look around you, take friends and share it, take photos, sit and look at the views, spot wildlife, listen to the skylarks, but mainly just drink it all in.
