HIKING HINTS

 To ensure we all have a fantastic day on the hills, the moors, the coast, in the woods or wherever you love to go, make sure it’s memorable for the right reasons. These are just a few pointers to perhaps think about which have helped us over the years to maximise our enjoyment of days out.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

Read guidebooks and study maps so you are familiar with your chosen area. Be prepared to change your plans or your whole day in case of bad weather, how you feel, the time of day or the time of year. Take a map and compass and know how to use them; if you have a GPS device, make sure it’s charged and you have a backup means of communication. Don’t just rely on a GPS app if it’s the only phone you take out with you. Know how to call Mountain Rescue and give someone an idea of where you’re going.

TAKE THE RIGHT FOOD

Take enough with you to snack on regularly to keep your energy and morale up - it’s surprising how much you need to take and definitely take too much rather than not enough. After years of very odd food combinations, we now take food we actually look forward to eating and it’s much less sweet and spicy than it was - things like boiled eggs, chicken pieces, brazil nuts, dried fruit, energy bars, apples and ready salted crisps suit us now.

DON’T GO AT IT TOO HARD

There is a temptation to go full pelt, head down especially if you only have a week or two, but all that happens is you end up tired and not enjoying it. Pace yourself and leave enough energy for the return trip. We always have a day’s rest in between walks to re-charge and it really makes a difference if we’re away for a week or fortnight. It also means the days when we do walk can be longer with more climbing.

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.

LEARN TO GIVE UP

For whatever reason; too tired, too late, too wet, too cold, boots rubbing, dog pulling, underwear chafing. 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.

WEAR LAYERS

For me, there’s nothing worse than feeling too hot as I’m walking, but I’m not overkeen on being frozen either. Layering is the answer. You want wicking t-shirts or base layers that ‘wick’ or take the sweat away from your body. Thin fleeces, wool base layers, down jackets, waterproofs - peel them off or put them on as necessary. We always take waterproof overtrousers, a hat and gloves with us even in summer and the waterproof jacket is always at the bottom of our packs.

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..

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 of them twice by tucking sodden hair behind my ears.

DRINK PLENTY

Probably one of the most important elements of any day in the outdoors or undertaking any form of exercise. 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, just as too much water can flush them out.

KEEP YOUR WRISTS WARM

Keep your wrists warm keeps your hands warm. There are lots of arteries 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. 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, slather on sunscreen, wear 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

It’s tough, climbing fells or mountains, walking long distance paths, cycling for miles or crossing boggy moorland, so take time to look around you, take friends and share it, take photos, sit and look at the views, brew a coffee, spot wildlife, listen to the skylarks, but it’s really just about being there and soaking it all in.