The hiking gear and adventures thread...
Discussion
ecsrobin said:
I think the comment is warranted.
If you hadn’t of met someone how would you have found your way off? Also trainers offer no support in summer it’s multiple times a day the helicopter and MRT are responding to twisted and broken ankles. By all means buy cheap if that’s what you want to do but please invest in a pair of boots and a map and compass and take the time to learn them.
Have to say this is true, 100%. If you hadn’t of met someone how would you have found your way off? Also trainers offer no support in summer it’s multiple times a day the helicopter and MRT are responding to twisted and broken ankles. By all means buy cheap if that’s what you want to do but please invest in a pair of boots and a map and compass and take the time to learn them.
Mountain Rescue means calling perhaps 40 people up to the hills to help someone with their twisted ankle (or worse).
It is easy to be blasé about kit, but conditions in the mountains can change quite dramatically at any time of the year. Should always be prepared for that.
FIL was in RAF Mountain Rescue for much of his career, & always lamented to me how poorly equipped many people were. Picked up parts of bodies on occasions: told me to be very cautious on Ben Nevis when I organised a work 3 Peaks in 2005: gullys on top can be hidden by snow, they picked bits of 9 bodies up one time…
ecsrobin said:
I think the comment is warranted.
If you hadn’t of met someone how would you have found your way off? Also trainers offer no support in summer it’s multiple times a day the helicopter and MRT are responding to twisted and broken ankles. By all means buy cheap if that’s what you want to do but please invest in a pair of boots and a map and compass and take the time to learn them.
If you hadn’t of met someone how would you have found your way off? Also trainers offer no support in summer it’s multiple times a day the helicopter and MRT are responding to twisted and broken ankles. By all means buy cheap if that’s what you want to do but please invest in a pair of boots and a map and compass and take the time to learn them.
A friend of mine is MR in the next area to Snowdonia so trains with them regularly. Apparently they're constantly rescuing the ill-prepared.Of course, you can go out in trainers with no real idea of what you're up to and in good weather you'll mostly get away with it. But it doesn't leave much margin for error and MR are volunteers who'd rather not spend their weekends escorting plonkers off the hill.
ecsrobin said:
I think the comment is warranted.
If you hadn’t of met someone how would you have found your way off? Also trainers offer no support in summer it’s multiple times a day the helicopter and MRT are responding to twisted and broken ankles. By all means buy cheap if that’s what you want to do but please invest in a pair of boots and a map and compass and take the time to learn them.
i would have taken a rest and carried on. A 8 timer got lost so not sure how the comment can be warranted. A had a map it was pointless. I think, and to be truthful if you haven't done the Wakin route you don't understand TBH.If you hadn’t of met someone how would you have found your way off? Also trainers offer no support in summer it’s multiple times a day the helicopter and MRT are responding to twisted and broken ankles. By all means buy cheap if that’s what you want to do but please invest in a pair of boots and a map and compass and take the time to learn them.
Anyway some photos for the positive people.
Agree about the kit but not about the absolute need for boots. I've got ankles like a 5 yr old meaning many boots are heavy for me and make me more accident prone (especially when tired and descending) than when I'm wearing walking shoes (i.e. below ankle versions of walking boots).
I more or less lived on the hills of Cumbria for many years wearing either trail or walking shoes (as appropriate for the conditions) and never had an issue.
For me the biggest risks on the fells are people wearing the wrong clothing meaning they get exposed quickly and those who get lost (especially in the wrong clothing).
I more or less lived on the hills of Cumbria for many years wearing either trail or walking shoes (as appropriate for the conditions) and never had an issue.
For me the biggest risks on the fells are people wearing the wrong clothing meaning they get exposed quickly and those who get lost (especially in the wrong clothing).
Not sure why you need expensive kit, I had cheap trainers worked for me. i do have a pair of second hand hiking boots, but there was no need for them which is why i didn't wear them. Trainers did fine.
I think it is just generalized comments , the three hills i had done,one was a goat path so some training. Did those in trainers as well, in the dark and fog.
i guess i'm just a different breed, i grew up swimming in rivers, climbing trees, lived in the countryside my whole life, nature doesn't phase me, i guess people now a days are more risk adverse, probably need expensive stuff to make it worth while. The old mountaineers wore old jumpers and shorts, that is what I wear.
i do have a 4 year old north face water second-hand coat, a 10 quid puma hoody and some other stuff in my rucksack. The northface jacket was useless on the roaches when the wind and rain picked up, it let water in. But again no biggy, I'm not really a weak person.
I think it is just generalized comments , the three hills i had done,one was a goat path so some training. Did those in trainers as well, in the dark and fog.
i guess i'm just a different breed, i grew up swimming in rivers, climbing trees, lived in the countryside my whole life, nature doesn't phase me, i guess people now a days are more risk adverse, probably need expensive stuff to make it worth while. The old mountaineers wore old jumpers and shorts, that is what I wear.
i do have a 4 year old north face water second-hand coat, a 10 quid puma hoody and some other stuff in my rucksack. The northface jacket was useless on the roaches when the wind and rain picked up, it let water in. But again no biggy, I'm not really a weak person.
Edited by mickythefish on Saturday 11th May 09:24
mickythefish said:
i would have taken a rest and carried on. A 8 timer got lost so not sure how the comment can be warranted. A had a map it was pointless. I think, and to be truthful if you haven't done the Wakin route you don't understand TBH.
The issue is as much that you don't know what you don't know. The Watkins path is rougher than some of the other paths, but it's not tricky or loose particularly. mikeiow said:
ecsrobin said:
I think the comment is warranted.
If you hadn’t of met someone how would you have found your way off? Also trainers offer no support in summer it’s multiple times a day the helicopter and MRT are responding to twisted and broken ankles. By all means buy cheap if that’s what you want to do but please invest in a pair of boots and a map and compass and take the time to learn them.
Have to say this is true, 100%. If you hadn’t of met someone how would you have found your way off? Also trainers offer no support in summer it’s multiple times a day the helicopter and MRT are responding to twisted and broken ankles. By all means buy cheap if that’s what you want to do but please invest in a pair of boots and a map and compass and take the time to learn them.
Mountain Rescue means calling perhaps 40 people up to the hills to help someone with their twisted ankle (or worse).
It is easy to be blasé about kit, but conditions in the mountains can change quite dramatically at any time of the year. Should always be prepared for that.
FIL was in RAF Mountain Rescue for much of his career, & always lamented to me how poorly equipped many people were. Picked up parts of bodies on occasions: told me to be very cautious on Ben Nevis when I organised a work 3 Peaks in 2005: gullys on top can be hidden by snow, they picked bits of 9 bodies up one time…
I reckon in the majority of my call outs, the casualties were dressed for an everest attempt rather than under-dressed.
The weight of a heavy ruck, big boots, and too many layers can really contribute to someone not used to it going arse over elbow.
My advice is pack a spare t shirt so you can swap to dry when you're coming down and buy a cheap 2 man bothy for 30 quid so you have dry shelter if you need it. It's very easy to carry too much.
Bill said:
The issue is as much that you don't know what you don't know. The Watkins path is rougher than some of the other paths, but it's not tricky or loose particularly.
disagree, the rocks were loose, the slate was loose. It was difficult to get footing and was manual . Again 8 time Snowdon person was there got lost himself. But helped me and I've made a friend.Not my words,
https://thebaldscrambler.co.uk/hiking-and-walking/...
''This section is the steepest and I have met about a dozen people over the years who have turned back at this point. It’s notoriously challenging...
At first there are plenty of loose stones to navigate and then one large rock that you may need to use your hands to pull yourself around.
Beyond this, the path loses its identity for about 50 metres or so and can be quite hard to follow ..''
I did it for the challenge as any other path, I wouldn't have felt good saying I climbed a mountain.
Next planned adventure beside Scarfell Pike, is the Pilgrim Path Göta älv in Sweden. Has anyone done this?
https://www.westswedentrails.com/en/delled/pilgrim...
https://www.westswedentrails.com/en/delled/pilgrim...
TGCOTF-dewey said:
I reckon in the majority of my call outs, the casualties were dressed for an everest attempt rather than under-dressed.
As someone who can speak with 6 years experience in this domain I can tell you nearly every rescue was from those wearing inappropriate kit or poor planning. Ankle injuries on the way down being the most common injury along with heat exhaustion through lack of water. I can also tell you that Llanberis MRT will auto call a helicopter if there’s a job on rather than kit up.
Hmmm, I did it with my wife and kids (aged 7&9 IIRC) and don't remember it being particularly tricky. 
Understanding what you're doing and where you can cut corners isn't soft, it's just good (not necessarily common) sense and might make the difference between an amusing adventure and a nightmare.
mickythefish said:
The old mountaineers wore old jumpers and shorts, that is what I wear.
Ish! Tweed (or crinoline for the ladies) and hobnail boots. Wool keeps you warm when wet but it gets heavy, whereas cotton doesn't even keep you warm. Modern materials work much better and a fleece doesn't need to be expensive. (Plus your used waterproof might well start working again with a bit of care and reproofing.)Understanding what you're doing and where you can cut corners isn't soft, it's just good (not necessarily common) sense and might make the difference between an amusing adventure and a nightmare.
Forester1965 said:
Agree about the kit but not about the absolute need for boots. I've got ankles like a 5 yr old meaning many boots are heavy for me and make me more accident prone (especially when tired and descending) than when I'm wearing walking shoes (i.e. below ankle versions of walking boots).
I more or less lived on the hills of Cumbria for many years wearing either trail or walking shoes (as appropriate for the conditions) and never had an issue.
For me the biggest risks on the fells are people wearing the wrong clothing meaning they get exposed quickly and those who get lost (especially in the wrong clothing).
Exactly , look at all those runners up in the mountains there not wearing boots .I more or less lived on the hills of Cumbria for many years wearing either trail or walking shoes (as appropriate for the conditions) and never had an issue.
For me the biggest risks on the fells are people wearing the wrong clothing meaning they get exposed quickly and those who get lost (especially in the wrong clothing).
They do have decent lugs on the trainer though .
mickythefish said:
Not sure why you need expensive kit, I had cheap trainers worked for me. i do have a pair of second hand hiking boots, but there was no need for them which is why i didn't wear them. Trainers did fine.
I think it is just generalized comments , the three hills i had done,one was a goat path so some training. Did those in trainers as well, in the dark and fog.
i guess i'm just a different breed, i grew up swimming in rivers, climbing trees, lived in the countryside my whole life, nature doesn't phase me, i guess people now a days are more risk adverse, probably need expensive stuff to make it worth while. The old mountaineers wore old jumpers and shorts, that is what I wear.
i do have a 4 year old north face water second-hand coat, a 10 quid puma hoody and some other stuff in my rucksack. The northface jacket was useless on the roaches when the wind and rain picked up, it let water in. But again no biggy, I'm not really a weak person.
It definitely doesn't need to be expensive. The key thing is to be able to stay warm if you get lost or stuck, and that's largely about being waterproof and windproof. In extremis, sitting in a bothy bag with a mate will buy you a lot of time. That sort of emergency shelter is a really good insurance policy. It's simple and cheap. It's just a big plastic bag. You can get perfectly good army surplus goretex jackets very affordably on ebay. As well as being very waterproof and windproof, they help you manage your sweat and that's just as much about comfort as it is about safety. You definitely don't need to spend a lot to be adequately prepared and comfortable in the UK's hills.I think it is just generalized comments , the three hills i had done,one was a goat path so some training. Did those in trainers as well, in the dark and fog.
i guess i'm just a different breed, i grew up swimming in rivers, climbing trees, lived in the countryside my whole life, nature doesn't phase me, i guess people now a days are more risk adverse, probably need expensive stuff to make it worth while. The old mountaineers wore old jumpers and shorts, that is what I wear.
i do have a 4 year old north face water second-hand coat, a 10 quid puma hoody and some other stuff in my rucksack. The northface jacket was useless on the roaches when the wind and rain picked up, it let water in. But again no biggy, I'm not really a weak person.
Edited by mickythefish on Saturday 11th May 09:24
(Army surplus goretex bivvy bag is a cheap flexible bit of kit. Makes a good emergency shelter if you're out in the hills, and is a lightweight way to camp if you're hiking. You can of course spend loads more on bivvy bags and save some weight and get more features, but the bang-for-the-buck you can get from army surplus is very, very hard to beat.)
Bill said:
egor110 said:
Exactly , look at all those runners up in the mountains there not wearing boots.
The light, fit ones with epic proprioception...I think a lot of assumptions made off the back of a VERY flippant remark.
I have an emergency shelter, survival tin, first aid kit in my rucksack. With the north face coat. The issue seems saying 10 pound trainers. I drank 8 litres of water yesterday so can't imagine any "special" shirt would have coped.
I had checked the weather, the sky, the air feelings so had a good idea of the weather.
Like I said I've lived in the countryside my whole life I understand nature a lot more than a concrete jungle dweller.
I think there is a massive different between a t shirt and flipflops. My thoughts were you don't have to spend hundreds to do things as ice seen all over social media nowadays. Old clothes do fine in summer months for me..
I have an emergency shelter, survival tin, first aid kit in my rucksack. With the north face coat. The issue seems saying 10 pound trainers. I drank 8 litres of water yesterday so can't imagine any "special" shirt would have coped.
I had checked the weather, the sky, the air feelings so had a good idea of the weather.
Like I said I've lived in the countryside my whole life I understand nature a lot more than a concrete jungle dweller.
I think there is a massive different between a t shirt and flipflops. My thoughts were you don't have to spend hundreds to do things as ice seen all over social media nowadays. Old clothes do fine in summer months for me..
Edited by mickythefish on Saturday 11th May 12:35
ecsrobin said:
TGCOTF-dewey said:
I reckon in the majority of my call outs, the casualties were dressed for an everest attempt rather than under-dressed.
As someone who can speak with 6 years experience in this domain I can tell you nearly every rescue was from those wearing inappropriate kit or poor planning. Ankle injuries on the way down being the most common injury along with heat exhaustion through lack of water. I can also tell you that Llanberis MRT will auto call a helicopter if there’s a job on rather than kit up.
Age and fitness was the biggest factor if you exclude MTB related injuries.
TGCOTF-dewey said:
Not my experience when I was in MRT. Lost, falls, or dehydration was certainly not the preserve of those in trainers.
Age and fitness was the biggest factor if you exclude MTB related injuries.
I worked nationally so possibly different factors. South Wales was the common place for mountain bike injuries. But I can break down what each call will be with some accuracy based on time of day. I suspect with today’s weather at 3pm will be quite a few calls around the country for broken ankles and missing children at beaches. 11pm will be missing walkers, 3am high risk mispers, 10am bendy divers (seemed to be more common to have a heart attack/stroke that resulted in a rapid surface). But I digress. Age and fitness was the biggest factor if you exclude MTB related injuries.
Getting out doesn’t have to be expensive but some simple quality kit will help in keeping out of difficulty.
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