Walking and how to do it

[charlie clown]

I can walk and stuff, been doing it for years in fact. Consider myself an old hand at it, all things considered. But I've been asked to go on a walking weekend in the Lakes and I've absolutely no idea what stuff I will need. I'm assuming at the very least some decent walking boots, a weather-proof coat and over-trousers but will that be enough? And what brands are best?

[kop205]

I can walk and stuff, been doing it for years in fact. Consider myself an old hand at it, all things considered. But I've been asked to go on a walking weekend in the Lakes and I've absolutely no idea what stuff I will need. I'm assuming at the very least some decent walking boots, a weather-proof coat and over-trousers but will that be enough? And what brands are best?

 

Boots are the most important thing in many ways but a decent pair aren't cheap. You can pick up reasonable waterproofs etc for a decent price.

 

I've got a pair of Meindl Lhotse boots, have had them for about 4 years now and they are fantastic - really comfy from day one but very robust too. They were best part of £200 though, only really justifiable because I do tend to get up there a few times a year.

 

The likes of Regatta do very cheap showerproof trousers and jackets which provided it doesn't really batter down will do you ok.

 

Get merino wool base layers possibly as they are good across a range of conditions. Something like this Depending on how cold it is looking like being/how high you are going to be going, consider a pair of merino leggings as well.

 

You could pay absolutely loads and if you enjoy it and start going regularly you can upgrade. I really like Mammut stuff but again, it isn't cheap.

 

Depending on the terrain, get a walking pole as well. Possibly best to buy them up there, loads of places will have them dead cheap (£15 or so).

[McBain]

Agree on the footwear thats the key part. You need good grip as underfoot will be uneven and depending on the terrain youll need ankle support so go for boots if there are uphills. You can get decent karrimoor boots for a good price

 

Stuff like gators, walking stick, waterproofs is more optional. Def take extra socks though

 

Am envious about you heading up to the lakes, one of my fave parts of the UK. Though I live on the edge of the peak district so can't complain

[kop205]

Whereabouts are you heading to in the Lakes anyway?

[charlie clown]

Cheers guys, that's useful.

 

We're planning to stay in Hawkshead as we think it's a good central base and as we're all relative rookies we're not planning on doing anything too challenging. We've all done a bit before (one or two have been up Snowdon etc,) but we're a, er, mixed ability group and even those of us who have done it a fair biut before are well out of practice.

[charlie clown]

One other question - is it sensible (or even posisble) to get weather-proof outer-wear that is also breathable?

 

I don't want to end up with a pile of kit on that I end up so sweaty and hot in that I'm uncomfortable and wanting to ditch it after a few hundred yards? Or is it just a given that with the right kit on I will end up like that anyway so I'll just need to learn to live with it?

[New York Red]

One other question - is it sensible (or even posisble) to get weather-proof outer-wear that is also breathable?

 

I don't want to end up with a pile of kit on that I end up so sweaty and hot in that I'm uncomfortable and wanting to ditch it after a few hundred yards? Or is it just a given that with the right kit on I will end up like that anyway so I'll just need to learn to live with it?

 

I play golf in some pretty inhospitable places and I use outergear made by Cross from Sweden. It breathes, it stretches and it is totally waterproof.

[charlie clown]

I play golf in some pretty inhospitable places and I use outergear made by Cross from Sweden. It breathes, it stretches and it is totally waterproof.

 

New Jersey, huh?

[New York Red]

New Jersey, huh?

 

 

And Connecticut...

 

Seriously, I go out to southern Oregon a lot and the weather is a nightmare there. The Cross gear is amazing.

[Ramón Benítez Hernández]

Left foot first, closely followed by the right, then the left again then the right, then the left then the right...

[Noel Street]

wrong consonant

[kop205]

One other question - is it sensible (or even posisble) to get weather-proof outer-wear that is also breathable?

 

I don't want to end up with a pile of kit on that I end up so sweaty and hot in that I'm uncomfortable and wanting to ditch it after a few hundred yards? Or is it just a given that with the right kit on I will end up like that anyway so I'll just need to learn to live with it?

 

There are loads of fabrics that claim fantastic breathability and weather proofing, from Goretex, to eVent, to Dry-tech and others. There is no real agreement about which is best or indeed whether any truly live up to what they claim.

 

Your base layer is possibly the most important thing, hence the tip before about merino wool. Keeps you cool when it is warm and warm when it is cool.

 

You still need some sort of a jacket, the Goretex Active ones tend to be cheaper albeit not as robust or suitable for extreme conditions. They are waterproof and breathable though.

 

Or you can just get showerproof ones dead cheap.

[kop205]

We're planning to stay in Hawkshead

 

Never stayed there but would imagine that it may mean you focus more on low-level stuff through Grizedale Forest.

 

You aren't far from Langdale though, the Langdale Pikes from Dungeon Ghyll or Bowfell/Crinkle Craggs via the Band are both good walks on well-trodden paths - you'd get up to a good height without it being too demanding (certainly no more so than Snowdon) but if you do go there make sure you have people with maps and compasses and the skills to use to them. Not really needed on a clear day but definitely needed in mist.

[Cam]

Get a she-wee. It'll be invaluable when you're caught short.

[surf]

I can walk and stuff, been doing it for years in fact. Consider myself an old hand at it, all things considered. But I've been asked to go on a walking weekend in the Lakes and I've absolutely no idea what stuff I will need. I'm assuming at the very least some decent walking boots, a weather-proof coat and over-trousers but will that be enough? And what brands are best?

 

couple of tips:

- don't wear anything cotton like jeans or regular t-shirt, cause once cotton gets wet it stays wet

- get a merino wool shirt, dries fast and doesn't smell, however much you sweat in it. alternatively, a footie top op something else polystyreny will also keep you dry, but will smell

- same goes for the bottoms, something non-cotton

- i wouldn't bother with fully breathable waterproofs. gore-tex jackets will set you back 300 quid. most fabrics have some kind of breathability nowadays anyway, you should be able to find something below 100 pounds. make sure it's lightweight (as you'll hopefully be carrying it in your bag rather than wearing it) and has pit zips, which improve breathability massively. check it's waterproof rather than water-resistant, as the latter won't keep you dry in a full downpour

- boots: if you get sweaty feet then buy leather as they breathe a lot better than plastic/gore tex shoes, otherwise the gore-tex ones might be cheaper and lighter

- don't take too much stuff, you'll have to carry it all with you. carry it in a rug sack with a waist belt so you don't kill your back and shoulders

 

to summarise, don't bring anything cotton, don't bring too much stuff, DON'T BRING TOO MUCH STUFF

Edited September 28, 2014 by surf

[Falconhoof]

Stick to the path, stay off the moors.

[DazzlaJ]

couple of tips:

- don't wear anything cotton like jeans or regular t-shirt, cause once cotton gets wet it stays wet

- get a merino wool shirt, dries fast and doesn't smell, however much you sweat in it. alternatively, a footie top op something else polystyreny will also keep you dry, but will smell

- same goes for the bottoms, something non-cotton

- i wouldn't bother with fully breathable waterproofs. gore-tex jackets will set you back 300 quid. most fabrics have some kind of breathability nowadays anyway, you should be able to find something below 100 pounds. make sure it's lightweight (as you'll hopefully be carrying it in your bag rather than wearing it) and has pit zips, which improve breathability massively. check it's waterproof rather than water-resistant, as the latter won't keep you dry in a full downpour

- boots: if you get sweaty feet then buy leather as they breathe a lot better than plastic/gore tex shoes, otherwise the gore-tex ones might be cheaper and lighter

- don't take too much stuff, you'll have to carry it all with you. carry it in a rug sack with a waist belt so you don't kill your back and shoulders

 

to summarise, don't bring anything cotton, don't bring too much stuff, DON'T BRING TOO MUCH STUFF

 

to summarise, go down the pub

[Falconhoof]

Eyeballs have the most protein. If you need to stay alive, look for a carcass with the eyes intact.

http://youtu.be/pA1Dxf7Uu_c

[cymrococh]

Amazon is a cheap place to buy the gear. You'll probably want to try them on somewhere first like.

[5InIstanbul]

If you want the best view in the Lakes bar none, it's much easier than you may think.

 

Walk to the top of Gummers How, it's a piece of cake, doesn't take long and the views are something else.

 

It's on the side of Cartmel Fell, you can park close by. Once done, quick 5 minute drive to the Masons Arms for one of the nicest pubs in the lakes.

[D.Boon]

Go to the Yorkshire Dales instead, just as picturesque with far fewer people.

[Earl Hafler]

Cheers guys, that's useful.

 

We're planning to stay in Hawkshead as we think it's a good central base and as we're all relative rookies we're not planning on doing anything too challenging. We've all done a bit before (one or two have been up Snowdon etc,) but we're a, er, mixed ability group and even those of us who have done it a fair biut before are well out of practice.

 

As far as i can remember, North of Hawkshead the ground can be a bit looser round there than Snowdon, If you're going near any of the major peaks that is. We used to stay near Penrith though, near some of the mining caves.

There's a bridge at Ashgill Force near Garrigill where you can climb / walk through the cliff face to get down to the river, go behind the waterfall. Lovely walk alongside the river and up the other side to a cracking couple of pubs

Not too far from where you're staying and worth it if you have time.

[RP]

to summarise, go down the pub

 

Dressed in polystyrene.

[matty]

Go to the Yorkshire Dales instead, just as picturesque with far fewer people.

Eh? The lakes are unmatchable for scenery. In this country.

[surf]

Dressed in polystyrene.

 

i might have meant polyester