Hillwalking has so much to offer and is popular for many people of all ages, but it’s important to have the right set of skills to manage the risks involved and enjoy it to the full. We asked the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) for the lowdown on walking in the hills.
Hillwalking can be as little or as much of a challenge as you like. The sense of achievement and the magnificent views on offer are very rewarding. But many beginners get caught out by overestimating their ability, or not giving enough thought to the walk itself.
So, once you understand the skills needed, the best way to gain them is by going out and practising them. There are also some great books and DVDs to help further your knowledge.
Watch the weather
Be aware that mountain weather can change suddenly – one minute it can be incredibly sunny, and pouring with rain the next. There are plenty of free mountain-specific forecasts for some popular areas so be sure to check and plan ahead.
Check your area at www.metoffice.gov.uk and www.mwis.org.uk. If you can’t find a mountain-specific forecast, remember that general reports are for areas at sea level and, as a rule, the higher you climb, the colder, wetter and windier it will be. It’s also wise to bear in mind that forecasts are a prediction, so the weather could be more or less severe than reported.
Care what you wear
Your clothing needs to be versatile, protecting you from wind, rain and the sun. But if it’s hot, make sure you use a high sunscreen, lip salve, wear a long-sleeved top and a floppy hat to help prevent heatstroke. Make sure that your shoes or boots are comfy and give you enough support, and are suitable for the season. Shoes are great on level terrain, such as lowland valley tracks, but with little ankle support, they’re unsuitable on uneven ground and steep climbs.
Learn to read!
Being able to read a map and use a compass is a core hillwalking skill, with poor navigation skills being the root cause of many Mountain Rescue call-outs. You can develop your navigation skills incrementally on less demanding hills in good weather, before choosing more challenging routes.
Think about food & drink
It’s really important to make sure that you have enough food and drink for your walk – the amount you need will be different depending on the weather, and the distance and terrain of your walk.
Have a hearty breakfast to set you up for the day’s walk and, while out, eat and drink little and often to keep hydrated and maintain your energy. Be sure to have some emergency food and something to treat hypos, such as a cereal bar. For drinks, water is fine, but tea and coffee will be comforting on cold days.
Join a club
One way to get started is to join a club. There are more than 300 climbing, hill walking and mountaineering clubs affiliated to the BMC and they offer a great way to learn the basics, share transport and find friends to walk with.
Play it safe
If you think that you’re moving into territory that’s out of your depth or the weather is worse than you expected, or you run out of time, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed if you head back down. You don’t always have to reach the summit. The hills will always be there for another day.
Find where to do three hill walks for beginners and what to take