On this page you will be able to get advice about how to plan your route with the things you need to consider, soon you will even be able to download a route planner and other spreadsheets to help you ... but not just yet!, still building the site...

Kit List

Please remember this list is only intended to let you know what you need to bring on the day. This advice is complimentary to the advice you can get from your local outdoors retailer when getting these items. Before you attend on the day take the time to look at the weather forecast for the Southeast UK on the day of the course. This will give you a good idea of the clothing you may need. Remember its better to be prepared.

There is a lot of advice out there be sure to take it.

If you need more help after reading this then please send me an e-mail via the contact page on this website and I will get back in touch with you at the soonest oportunity.


Footwear I would suggest that you bring a good pair of walking shoes/boots. These should be well worn in and not only just purchased. This is important because of the risk of blisters. When trying on a pair of walking boots make sure you are wearing walking socks. These will be thicker than your everyday pair of socks and may affect your boot size. The shoes or boots should provide good ankle support without applying pressure to the back of the foot and heel (Achilles tendon). Pressure in this area will produce an inflammation of the Achilles tendon making walking difficult if not impossible.

Walking socks. We all, however sad it may be, have our favourite pair of walking socks. A good pair of socks are well worth their weight in gold. they contribute to the chance of blister free feet. These should be clean and dry. Any good outdoors or adventure store will be able to provide you with good advice. Its important to take this advice.

Clothing. This should reflect the weather, the season and the level of exercise being undertaken. There is no real format set in stone other to say that it is advisable to dress in layers, that is to say 2-5 layers of lighter clothing rather than 1-2 layers of thick heavy clothing. It is important to remember that we should dress up and down (taking layers of clothes off and putting them on) depending on the temperature and the level of strenuous activity we may or may not be doing. You should think about an under layer of clothing, on the market there are wicking materials which are designed to move any perspiration away from the skin to prevent chilling and discomfort, there are also skin injuries which can be prevented by keeping the skin dry. A middle layer should allow you to remove your coat and be comfortable, enjoying the summer breeze. To compliment this a good fleece will keep you warm during those chilly moments. A wind stopper and/or waterproofs. These can be essential. It is vital that the environment is never underestimated. Even during a beautiful summer day on the Pennines the rain can come down and the wind pick up!
Headgear. This is just as important in the summer as it is in the winter. The head is just about the largest bit of your body involved in heat exchange which is constantly exposed to the elements. In the winter you will loose heat through your head, it is important to slow or at least regulate this heat loss, maybe even when you are asleep in your sleeping bag. During the summer you will need to protect your head from the sun, it is important not to forget the back of your neck. This is to protect against the heat of the sun also want to prevent sunburn.

Water. Water is needed just as much in the winter as it is in the summer. When you leave for you walk at the beginning of the day you should be carrying about 2 litres of water per person. Some will also suggest that you have energy drinks too! You will also need to think where you will be able to top-up your water supplies on route. This should be thought about when you plan your walk before the day. If you are thinking about stopping at pubs on the way (sorry we won’t be on the courses we run, but we just might at the end of the day) then you must also remember that alcohol has several effects on our bodies. 1. It will dehydrate you making you pass more urine, this will reduce your body water level, you will have to balance this by drinking more water and electrolytes. 2. It is a vasodilator opening up the blood vessels in your arms, legs and skin. This means that on a cold and wet day you will loose more heat faster. Your arms legs and face will act just like a car radiator. This can lead to hypothermia (a cold weather injury leading to loss of co-ordination, concentration, irritability, unconciousness and can result in death). Never give an injured person alcohol on the hillside. 3. It will also affect your cognitive skills, slowing your thought and reaction times. If you are trying to navigate over a difficult or complicated landscape you don’t want to be doing it drunk. Besides if you have the map, the group will only blame you for getting lost. Also think about taking a hot drink with you on the day for the course you wont need this. When we are on the hill we will never be too far from a fresh water supply.

Food. You may wish to bring an energy bar or something when we are outside you are welcome to do so. These are not really essential for what we will be doing over the weekend. If you wish to bring sandwiches with you or from your hotel to eat at lunch times please feel free, many do. There will be a restaurant available to get a lunchtime snack before we proceed to the hills for the afternoon exercises.