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Rucksack. Necessary to carry all of the stuff I'm
going to list below. Don’t go mad and buy the largest capacity sack
you can find. Carrying a lot of weight is no fun! You’re not going
on a major expedition! Buy a day-sack of around 30 litres capacity
maximum.
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Waterproofs are essential! This is the northwest of
Britain remember! It sometimes rains!! At the very least bring a
waterproof jacket and ideally, waterproof over trousers. Tip – If
strapped for cash, consider buying an ex-army Poncho from your local
Army & Navy Stores. Compact, totally waterproof and more breathable
than a £500 Alpine Mega-Magic Goretex Whatsit!
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Sturdy Boots. Tip - Always buy the best quality
your budget will allow. Ideally, they should be waterproof. There
are many types of boot on the market today, all claim to do
something better than the other. Don’t get taken in by the
Marketers! Remember, when getting fitted for a pair of boots, make
sure your toes have freedom of movement but also ensure they can’t
touch the front of the boot when tightly laced up. This prevents
hurting your toes when descending steep ground. It is also advisable
to wear a couple of pairs of socks when trying on your boots.
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Gaitors. Not an essential buy, but they do keep
most of the muck off your trousers and also help prevent your boots
filling up with water on particularly wet weather walks.
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Warm clothes. The best way to keep warm on the
hills is to use different layers of clothing. Each layer traps warm
air and keeps you snug. If it gets too hot you just take a layer
off. Too cold, add a layer. Again, there are many expensive clothing
“systems” on the market today which claim to keep you at your ideal
walking temperature all day long. Most of these claims are rubbish!
In reality, you just need to be sensible with your everyday clothes.
Tip – Avoid cotton next to your skin as it gets wet, stays wet and
saps heat out of your body! Fleeces are a great material and come in
lightweight or even windproof form.
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Hat. Essential in winter as 75% of all body heat is
lost through your head! In summer, helps prevent sunburn and
sunstroke.
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Socks. Wear at least 2 pairs. This will help
prevent blisters on your feet.
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Map/Compass. Not essential on one of our guided
walks, but absolutely necessary when you want to explore the Peak
District on your own. Oh, and learn how to use them first!
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Fluids. Very IMPORTANT! Always, always, always,
carry water with you! In Summer or Winter, walking up hills, or over
long distances means you continually need to be topping your body up
with water to compensate for fluid loss. In addition, you may like
to take a hot drink in a thermos flask for those cold, winter lunch
stops. Did I mention you should always carry water with you??
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Food. Take a packed lunch. Tip – Dried fruit and
nuts are excellent energy providers and can be snacked upon
throughout the day without a problem. Chocolate is also good, if a
little more fattening!
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First-aid kit. Recommended, but your Transpeak
walk-leader or assistants will always have their own supplies.
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Emergency rations. Recommended. You never know what
incident may occur whilst ‘on the hill’, so it is wise to be
prepared. A bar of chocolate or Kendal Mint-Cake are popular
choices.
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Sun-Cream. It is so easy to come down off the hill
after a day's walking, only to find your ‘exposed bits’ bright red!
The combination of higher altitude, cleaner air and cooling wind,
all too often combine to catch out the unwary! Don’t take the risk.
You’ve no excuse; a tube of sun-cream will easily fit into that
expedition rucksack you bought. Didn't you read point number 1?
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Walking Poles. Fashion accessory or essential piece
of walking kit? Make your own mind up on this. My experience tells
me they are essential in certain situations and a hindrance in
others. Don't worry if you don’t own a pair.
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Survival Bag. Don’t skimp on this one…..go out now
and buy one! They only cost a couple of quid. Save your life for the
price of a pint of beer! If you are not aware, a Survival Bag, in
its simplest form, is just a large plastic bag that you can climb
into to protect you from the elements. Used only in emergency
situations. Keep one at all times in the bottom of your rucksack.
