Equipment Advice
The right tools for the job.
These days the internet can be packed with the most latest pieces of technology, the must have gadget that will get you up and down a mountain, or the £700 jacket that will walk you up the mountain with no effort required, lets bring it back down to the basics
Layering
Having one unbelievably thick, warm, waterproof coat will do you no favours out in the mountain. By all means it will keep you warm and dry on the summits but travelling up & down the mountain tops you'll need a diverse amount of layers. I'll tend to be be wearing a base layer and upto 4 further layers depending on the weather. By having the ability to continually change throughout the day will bring a lot more comfort to your outing and will stop you sweating on the strenuous parts
Waterproofs
I see waterproofs on the market ranging from £50 a set to several hundreds of pounds. I made do with the cheapest set possible for well over 7 years of walking and they never let me down. Regardless of the forecast I'll never be in a mountain range without them. the mountains have a tendancy to be unpredictable all year round. So be prepared for wet weather on the driest days. Wet clothes will sap your energy!
Navigation equipment
Morden mobile phones allow us to have a sophisticated GPS in our pockets at all times. This is great until they get wet & break, the battery runs out or your can’t get a satellite link. While I plan my routes digitally I study and compose them onto paper maps and carry alongside my compass. I also, when navigating on the hills, check my location and bearing of travel before consulting the GPS, this is to keep my orienteering skill set practised and accurate, you never know when you will need these skills in a tricky situation
Food & water
In short...... take too much! If it is your first experience in the mountains. I take the view of planning for the worst I.e more time than envisaged should anything go wrong. personally, taking back my lunchbox half full is better than running on an empty tank. Water on the otherhand needs to be judged alongside the weather. I take a minimum of 2l, upping the litres on hot days.
Navigation equipment
Morden mobile phones allow us to have a sophisticated GPS in our pockets at all times. This is great until they get wet & break, the battery runs out or your can’t get a satellite link. While I plan my routes digitally I study and compose them onto paper maps and carry alongside my compass. I also, when navigating on the hills, check my location and bearing of travel before consulting the GPS, this is to keep my orienteering skill set practised and accurate, you never know when you will need these skills in a tricky situation