Better to be on the hill – than over the hill
There was a time, in my youth, when the word 'hip' meant good, cool, trendy. Now, these days, it means pain, suffering and a challenge. It constantly amuses me watching all of my outdoor colleagues doing exactly what I was doing 50 years ago, knowing full well the pain they will suffer later in life. …
Whenever I plan a new route in an area I have never been to before, I never know what is going to turn up. In most cases I have nothing more than a damned good walk but occasionally something special happens. This is the case with this particular walk. Where I live, at the …
Before we can start to plan a route, it is important that we understand how to calculate the timings of each leg of our walk. This can be done by using Naismith’s Rule. Naismith’s Rule Naismith's Rules was created as a means of using distance and ascent to calculate the time taken to complete a …
Whilst this is intentionally directed at the older person, the same ethos applies to all age groups. It is important that we try to keep as fit and healthy as we can. It is appreciated that this is not always possible, and some will always struggle to maintain any level of fitness due to underlying …
Introduction To The Compass The compass is an essential tool for the hill-walker. It is a precision instrument that can bring about the success or failure of an expedition. However, to the beginner it can also be a very bewildering piece of equipment. So we will start by identifying the key elements of the compass. …
I was once told that the two most important purchases in your life are your shoes and your bed. The reason for this is that you are either in one or the other! Care for your feet is imperative if you are to avoid problems as you grow older. Painful or malformed feet can lead …
We are now going to take the line, that the map is like a book that needs to be read, one stage further. What we are going to do is plan a simple route (write a story) and then go for a walk to understand the story the map is telling you. This is where …
It is generally agreed that walking is one of the best forms of exercise as it contributes to circulation, maintains weight control, and promotes overall good physical and mental health. However, if you have not walked for sometime, getting a little older or have a long-term illness or disability then it is worth taking note …
Introduction Hi, welcome to what will be a series of blogs on Map Reading and Navigation. The aim of this series is to introduce you to the map & compass in a simple and non-technical way. The series will slowly lead you through from understanding what a map is telling you to being able to …
Review: SplashMaps Personalised Toob I had the very good fortune to receive the chance to create my own personalised toob from SplashMaps. As many of you will know, I wear toobs all the time as a bandana and occasionally as a scarf. So I was really excited about this opportunity. The process of getting my …
