Thinking of taking up Hillwalking/Munro Bagging

Thinking of taking up Hillwalking/Munro Bagging

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AmiableChimp

Original Poster:

3,674 posts

236 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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Mrs Chimp completed the West Highland Way last week and raised over £2.5k for Marie Curie.

She seems to enjoy walking, whereas I tend to do road biking.

I have had aspirations of taking up hillwalking in the past, and now would seem like an ideal opportunity to give it a try and do something we can both do together.

I was thinking, as a minimum, I would need things like waterproof jacket (I have a Berghaus Goretex one - not sure if that would suffice?), waterproof trousers, walking trousers, rucksack, baselayers (I have some of these for cycling so maybe do?), decent walking boots - I have some bought from Go Outdoors, not sure of suitability for the rougher stuff?

Can anyone offer any advice in terms of both kit, and maybe places to try out for a noob before I tackle the harder bits?

Any tips/tricks also appreciated.

deckster

9,630 posts

254 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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Socks. It took me 20 years of walking up mountains before I truly appreciated what a decent pair of socks will do for your feet. Spend 20 quid on some Thor-los and your feet will thank you forever.

Beyond that, you're overthinking this. Sure, planning for the Aonach Eagach in winter will need a lot of experience and kit, but realistically it's summer now, and most hills in the UK are pretty friendly. Get yourself some semi-decent boots, chuck a few water bottles and some Kendal mint cake in a rucksack, pick a nice day, and walk up a hill. Do that a few times and you'll soon work out what you do and don't need.

Now yes of course you need to treat the hills with respect, but assuming that you're sensible, read the weather forecast, and have at least a little bit of common sense than at this time of year there's really not too much that can go wrong.

C0ffin D0dger

3,440 posts

144 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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As above really, sounds like most of or cycling kit will do the job, just add some walking boots and/or some trainer type walking shoes (approach shoes?), I sometimes opt for the latter as a proper pair of boots can be a bit heavy going and uncomfortable (warm) on a summers day.

Only other thing is make sure you know what you are doing with a map and compass as even on what starts out as a fine day can see the weather closing in later on and visibility down to a few meters. Tend to use the GPS on my phone more now but it's not good to rely on it as your sole means of navigation.

You largely don't need any climbing gear for the Munros as the are all accessible on foot bar one nicknamed the Inaccessible Pinnacle in the Cuillin range on Skye: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sg%C3%B9rr_Dearg

ATG

20,484 posts

271 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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Whereabouts are you? There's good hillwalking all over the country, so you probably won't have to go too far to give it a try.

You don't need to go mad buying kit to start with. Without compromising safety, the less crap you have to lug around the better. Waterproofs and layers for cycling I'd have thought would be absolutely fine for walking to start with. If you're setting out into the hills in properly st winter conditions, you'd want something designed for that specific job, but you're not going to need that stuff now unless you decide to dissappear into the Cairngorms.

If you're going to spend money anywhere, go for some decent boots. For UK use, a pair of 3/4 season boots (like Scarpa M3s) will take you anywhere except technical ice and rock climbing, and they'll last for years. They are the Swiss Army Knife of footwear. They'll set you back about 200 quid, but given their longevity and the difference good boots make, it is money well spent.

Foliage

3,861 posts

121 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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You don't need expensive stuff,

Id recommend taking a woolie hat, gloves & a scarf (I take a shemagh as it makes a great towel, picnic blanket etc), a map and compass and learn how to use them GPS is great until it doesn't work.


Essentials - A small first aid kit with a whistle, foil blanket AND survival bag, a lighter, a folding knife, torch/headlamp, spare boot laces, & spare pair of socks lobbed in the bottom of your bag.

Decent socks are essential, go for virgin merino wool.

A cheap rucksack will suffice to start with, a 1ltr bottle of water, some sandwiches etc.

You don't need expensive fancy gear, just make sure that you can get warm when you stop and can stay dry ish. Its less about the gear than about the experience.

scotlandtim

319 posts

127 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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.... map & compass ......

ATG

20,484 posts

271 months

Friday 27th May 2016
quotequote all
Just noticed you're in Scotland. Should be a criminal offence to be in Scotland and not go hill walking. You're going to be spoilt for choice. Only minor issue is that you may well start off on bigger, more remote hills with potentially worse and more changeable weather than someone trying out hill walking for the first time in England or Wales. You've got the most extraordinary natural playground on your doorstep.

ALawson

7,814 posts

250 months

Saturday 28th May 2016
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I love Skye after getting dragged there for about 10 years for summer holidays, don't forget the midges!

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Saturday 28th May 2016
quotequote all
scotlandtim said:
.... map & compass ......
And learn to use them properly thumbup

Ordnance Survey do "Introduction to Navigation" courses if needed.

albundy89

493 posts

237 months

Saturday 28th May 2016
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Theres a big difference between Hill Walking and Munro bagging

Hill walking is a totally enjoyable pleasure making the most of the country around you

Munro bagging is counting off and being oblivious to the enjoying the surroundings.

albundy89

493 posts

237 months

Saturday 28th May 2016
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That should have read


The enjoyment

tenohfive

6,276 posts

181 months

Monday 13th June 2016
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ewenm said:
And learn to use them properly thumbup

Ordnance Survey do "Introduction to Navigation" courses if needed.
This. No-one wants to be a statistic on a MR blog. And without wanting to scare monger (it's a tiny, tiny percentage of the thousands who flock to the hills each year) people do still cark it in the UK hills each year.

Boots or trail shoes are fit specific - don't take recommendations, try some on. Have a hit list of shoes/boots that are well reviewed for longevity/durability but get into some shops and try them on as our feet are different.
Likewise with rucksacks.
Go Outdoors price match plus 10% against other retailers (including online) is a great way of saving money on the more expensive purchases.

Socks are important as mentioned above. Merino is the way ahead - your feet can get wet (either through rain/streams or sweat) but you'll still have warm feet.

Technical baselayers from the like of Decathlon or running tops from SportShoes etc are cheap and do the job. Look for ones with decent length zip necks for venting.



andy_s

19,397 posts

258 months

Monday 13th June 2016
quotequote all
tenohfive said:
ewenm said:
And learn to use them properly thumbup

Ordnance Survey do "Introduction to Navigation" courses if needed.
This. No-one wants to be a statistic on a MR blog. And without wanting to scare monger (it's a tiny, tiny percentage of the thousands who flock to the hills each year) people do still cark it in the UK hills each year.

Boots or trail shoes are fit specific - don't take recommendations, try some on. Have a hit list of shoes/boots that are well reviewed for longevity/durability but get into some shops and try them on as our feet are different.
Likewise with rucksacks.
Go Outdoors price match plus 10% against other retailers (including online) is a great way of saving money on the more expensive purchases.

Socks are important as mentioned above. Merino is the way ahead - your feet can get wet (either through rain/streams or sweat) but you'll still have warm feet.

Technical baselayers from the like of Decathlon or running tops from SportShoes etc are cheap and do the job. Look for ones with decent length zip necks for venting.
There was something like 8 deaths this winter on the UK hills, a couple and the rest were quite experienced, solo, mature guys ironically; certainly treat hills with respect - but as long as you take the basics, can navigate and let people know what you're up to you won't go too far wrong in summer.

^ Good advice above.