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So you would like to start walking but have no experience?
Not a problem, we welcome experienced walkers and potential walkers, but please consider the following:
- If you are new to walking then please try out a Grade D or C walk to begin with depending on your level of fitness
- Please ensure you have the right gear – at the minimum you will need a waterproof raincoat and stout trainers or boots (depending on the terrain mentioned in the walk description)
- If you are on a full day walk, you will need a packed lunch and some water, which means you will need a small rucksack
- Also, it helps to bring something to sit on. Sit mats are available from walking shops, but to start with a plastic bag would do
As you progress to more regular walking, you will definitely need walking boots, plus waterproof trousers. (After all we are walking in the UK!!!)
All walks are undertaken at your own risk – leaders do recce walks to ensure they are suitable, but ultimately it is down to you to be sensible.
Walk Grades
The following Grades aim to indicate what you might expect on a walk. Obviously, every walk is different and there may be some variation in each grade, so leaders may choose to allocate a + or - sign to show the walk is at the higher or lower end of the range.
Leaders supply walk details prior to each walk giving as much description of what to expect as they can and will allocate a Grade to it.
(If you are in any doubt about your ability to do a walk, please ring the walk leader to check on its suitability)
- A. Ideal for the experienced walker who is fit and likes a more challenging walk. These walks will typically be between 9 – 14 miles and over 2500 ft of ascent, some of which might be steep
- (A+ walk would be as A but also include some or all of the following - steep ascents and/or descents, rough ground with possibly some scrambling, possibly some exposed path)
- B. Designed for those who are reasonably fit Typically between 9 and 12 miles and under 2500 ft of ascent. Will not involve any scrambling or exposed edges nor long steep ascents or descents
- C. Ideal for those who enjoy more sedate walking. Typically easy to moderate level and vary between 6 – 10 miles, but can have gentle height gain of up to 1000 ft
- D. Designed for those who are perhaps just starting walking or perhaps not as fit as they were or just happy to have a gentle stroll This fits evening walks which are maximum of 5 miles and pub lunch walks which are around 6 or 7 miles. Little or no ascent
Ensuring Safety on Walks
Walk leaders expend time and effort to recce walks which we can follow, but as a participant on these walks you also have some responsibilities to ensure walks go well:
- Follow all instructions given by the leader
- Endeavour to keep pace with the leader and to stop for main breaks only where designated by the leader
- Never get in front of the leader, unless the leader has given permission to do so
- Be aware of other group members and in particular, immediately inform the leader in the event of a significant gap opening up in the party, an injury or medical problem to any member
- Be aware of where you are in the group and always check that those behind know when you turn off a path
Liability
Members join walks at their own risk and the club does not accept responsibility for any injuries or accidents occurring on walks. For your own safety please co-operate with the leader at all times.
Equipment
It is essential that you are properly equipped for joining one of our walks.
If you are not new to walking you will not need any advice, but if you are just taking it up, you might find the following helpful.
Footwear
Although walking boots with good ankle support and Vibram-type soles are always to be preferred, and indeed are essential on the more challenging walks, trainers or walking shoes are often adequate on summer evening walks. But don't forget that it can be muddy at any time of the year! Socks are also important they add significantly to comfort; so if you are buying boots and socks, try them and buy them together.
You can buy inexpensive leg gaiters which can make a real difference in wet and muddy conditions. If you set out on your first walk in unsuitable footwear you probably won't enjoy the experience and it may put you off walking for ever!
Clothing
In winter it is essential to have a full waterproof outer layer available and to wear sufficient warm under layers. But it is not essential initially to buy expensive breathable outer garments (Goretex or similar), although if you are confident that you will be walking regularly you will not regret buying a good breathable jacket or under layers that both insulate and wick away moisture. Unfortunately British weather can be so fickle, and in the mountains so changeable, that you are advised to carry such clothing throughout the year, whatever the weather forecast!
Rucksack
You have to carry your extra clothing, food and drink in something and a supermarket bag is not recommended! If you don't have a rucksack, borrow one at first if you can, and buy one later. Few rucksacks are really waterproof, so put everything in a bin-liner in the rucksack. When you do decide to buy, take with you to the shop everything you would normally carry so that you can check that it will all fit in and that the rucksack is comfortable with your usual contents.
Walking Poles
Although not essential, many members find walking poles offer them great benefits in terms of increased stability and support. They can help reduce the stress on your legs, knees, feet and back, as they help to share the load of your weight more evenly across the whole body. They particularly help reduce the pressure on your knees, especially walking downhill, and give you added balance and stability on uneven paths. However some members find them a nuisance as its an extra item to carry and your hands are not free for other things.
Maps and GPS Devices
Walk leaders are expected to carry maps for their planned walk, but it is not necessary for members joining the walk. In addition, there are many GPS devices on the market now and some great map apps for your phone. The OS maps app is great value for money at about £20 per year. They are extremely useful, as they have a GPS built in, they have the added benefit of showing you where you are on the map! GPS signals are very reliable in most parts of the country (not like your phone signal!) but always make sure your device or phone is fully charged as they can use a lot of battery power, depending on how much you use it out on the walk.
First Aid Kit
Walk leaders are expected to have a first aid kit with them, but it is always best for you to have your own basic first aid kit in your backpack, in particular plasters, as there is nothing worse than sore feet on a walk.
Where to Buy
First and foremost, buy at a reputable outdoor equipment shop, for example GoOutdoors or Rohan. At these you will get good advice. At all shops there are substantial savings to be made on sale items.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed on walks at the discretion of the leader. Dogs must be on a short lead near livestock or at the discretion of the leader or a club official.
If in doubt about bringing your dog, please talk to the walk leader
Car Sharing to Walks
Car Sharing Within the Club
We encourage members to share lifts, since, it is better for the environment, easier for parking and it shares the cost of travel.
Points to Note:
- We can never guarantee that there will be a lift - only that we will try to find one.
- It is not a taxi service, therefore the person requiring a lift will be expected to meet the lift giver at a suitable convenient point.
- The walk leader, is only asked to put two people in touch with one another, not search for lifts.
How We Suggest it is Done
In the first instance members should try and arrange lifts to walks for themselves. If this is not possible:
- When booking on a walk, members should:
- indicate if they would like a lift, and/or
- indicate if they are happy to offer lift(s),
- indicate the area they live, e.g. Croft, Sankey, Fearnhead.
- Those wanting a lift should try to sign up for a walk as early as possible … to maximise the opportunity of finding a lift.
- The walk leader will attempt to match up the member requiring a lift with the member (hopefully from the same area) offering a lift.
- The walk leader will text the member wanting a lift the number of the person offering a lift. It is then up to the person who wants a lift to contact with the person offering a lift and, then, arrange the best place and time to meet.
- It is suggested that costs are then divided equally between all the occupants in the car including the driver. The suggested charge for each person in the car is:
- ((Return Mileage x 20p) / Number of Occupants)
- Plus parking charges split equally
Affiliation
The club is affiliated with HF Holidays. A company offering walking and special interest holidays.
