Starting out walking

A friend of mine suggested i did a section on what equipment i would always have and what I recommend is the minimum for walks.

Footwear

I have tried lots of different types over the last 12 months, from walking trainers to low priced boots to good quality reasonably priced boots.

I use walking trainers for dry and fairly flat terrain, then for anything else it is boots. If you are just starting out and are not sure if walking is going to be for you, then i would suggest getting a budget priced pair of boots that feel comfy, they should support your ankles, and most important is that there is very little foot sliding if you go down a slope. Look for one that is waterproof and has very solid grips on the bottom.

To go with these you need a good walking sock, there are plenty of different types out there, I prefer one with cushioned toes and heels. But also wear a thin cotton liner sock under the main sock, this help to draw moisture away from the foot and helps in preventing blisters.

Clothing

Starting at the bottom, I like a light weight walking pants made from cotton, with plenty of pockets in them. If possible with zip off legs, this way i can have the legs on when starting out early in the morning and then wear them as shorts if the weather warms up. On summer walks i tend to wear light weight cotton shorts again with multiple pockets.

On top I start with light weight wicking 'T' shirts, these draw the moisture away from the body. Then a light weight cotton 'T' shirt if the weather is going to be warm but not too hot.

As a top layer i choose long sleeved cotton tops, or walking fleeces depending on the weather.

The most important thing is being able to layer up when its cold and remove them when warm, but you don't want them taking up too much space in your rucksacks.

Top Layers

I tend to wear a specialist windproof walking jacket, that zips up and has an high collar, with a waterproof light weight coat with a hydrostatic head of 5000. this can be folded up in the rucksack and not take too long to get out, it has plenty of pockets on it too. Waterproof pants need to fit well and be just long enough to sit onto your boot and not catch under your foot.

I also have a pair of windproof gloves, along with some fingerless wieght training gloves so i have a choice depending on the weather. Depending on the weather i either wear a thinsulate hat or a baseball cap.

Other equipment

• A good quality rucksack, the type with a mesh air back to let the air flow through are very good, i find between 25 litre and 35 litre types are just about right. If you can get one with a built in drinks bladder, this makes it easier to keep hydrated on your walks. If the rucksack doesn't come with a built in rain cover, then i would recommend purchasing one.
• Compass and map for the area are essential, along with being able to read them.
• First aid kits should always be carried by one of your group and include blister treatments, plasters, and normal first aid essentials.
• Drinks, both energy drinks and water are essential. My tip is if you think you only need a litre for a walk pack a litre and a half.
• Fruit is easy to carry and digests earlier to give energy
• Energy gel sachets are great when you reach an energy low, there are plenty on the market so try different ones until you find some that you like.
• Mobile phones, try to have a number of networks in your groups as signals can vary along the walks.
• Zip lock bags are great for keeping phones and food dry when in pockets.
• Dry socks are always good to have in your rucksack, should the need aeries these can be used as socks or as gloves.
• Survival bags should be carried at all times, I've injured my back and sat in mine for nearly an hour, not a recommended way to test them but it kept me dry and warm at 1am in the morning.
• A whistle is also an essential piece of kit, these can be heared over long distances and give any rescue teams a bearing to home in on.
• Head torches are also essential, but also take a small wind up torch in case your batteries run out.

Training Walks Pen-Y-Ghent

The Pen-y-Ghent walk!
Start from the layby as you enter Horton-in-Ribblesdale, cross the road towards the school, follow the road past the school and up the gentle climb, with the woods and stream to your left hand side. Be sure to listen out for the different bird calls as you wonder along, i'm no expert on bird calls but these are a beautiful chorus to start a walk too.

Once past the wood you approach farm out buildings on the left hand side, turn left as you reach these and go through the gate, now the walk starts to challenge you. The first climb helps you stretch your legs out, and being a grassy slope, this can be slippy in wet weather so care must be taken. After reaching the top of the grassy climb, the walk levels out slightly and you head up to pass over the first stile and then gently start heading upwards again, over this section you will encounter 2 small scrambles up limestone out crops. Once again care needs to be taken on these as they have become polished by thousands of boots, and even on a dry day can be slippy, for those of you not wanting to scramble then you can pass around to the right hand side of them.

From now on you will have the awesome craggy face of Pen-y-Ghent to your left and this while inspiring some this can also scare others. But looking forward we start the undulating section of the walk that gives you another good workout. In the distance you can see the gate in the wall where the main climb is awaiting you. As you zig zag up these climbs watch your footing as there are loose rock, slippy clay and polished rocks.

When you reach the gate you will be turning left and heading upwards, but first on a clear day take time to look at the view in front of you of Fountains Fell, and also behind you back towards Horton. This is also a good time to grab a snack and a drink before you start the climb up.

The main climb starts with the uneven steps that give you an increasing view out over the dales ahead of you, watch your footing from here on up. This is a well trodden patch and well set out by the national park, but again care needs to be taken with the polished limestone. after the steps the 1st real scramble starts, there are many routes here and often change depending on the weather and number of people on the climb, take your time, plan your route more than 2 steps at a time. Once over the climb you will then find your self on a false flat face of the hill, this is a good time to stretch out before the second part of the climb starts with a long winding climb, and then the final scramble that needs a little planning as there can be water running down this even on a dry day.

Once up the final scramble the hill bites you with a long slight climb to the final summit, caution should be taken for the cross drains place by the national trust to keep the paths in place, these have some rocks on edge and also sharp edges.

Finally you reach the trig point and the top of the hill, here you will find some seats built into the wall. This is a good time to get your camera out and take in the lovely views, if the weathers bad, then get down out of the wind grab a snack and drink, before climbing over the style and heading down the hill.

This first section of the decent, in my opinion is the most dangerous part of the walk, as this is down a very steep scree slope. Once down this then the path heads of to the right and head you will see Whernside in the distance and if its clear enough the wonderful Ribblehead viaduct, to the left you will have Ingleborough all the way down the first section.

After this part of the descent you will reach a junction, where you can carry straight on or turn left, you want to turn left on this walk following the main path, all the way on this section care must be taken for loose and polished stones. there are sink holes off to both sides of you all the way down this section so stay on the path. You will then come to a sneaky little rise before going through a gate and another undulating section before reaching the gate at the bottom of the descent, through this gate and you come to another crossroads, again you want to turn left and go through the gate.

Following the main limestone road all the way back towards Horton-in-Ribblesdale, this gives you some of the best views of Pen-y-ghent and also be sure to take in the natural waterfall on the left hand side over the wall, a view not to be missed. you will pass a wood to your left and drop slightly then around the corner to a large puddle that seems to be there all year round, on the left you will find two railway sleeper to balance on and cross the puddle.

To complete the walk you will then turn left and go through the farm yard, then right and follow the road back to the layby.
Depending on your ability and how energetic you want to be this walk can take between 2 hours and 4 hours, but the challenge and views are some of the best in the dales.

This Sundays Walk 28th August

Meeting in Horton in Ribblesdale at 8:30 for 9am start.
From the layby as you enter the village we will head up the back of Pen-y-Ghent, then along the top and down to view hulme pot, from there across the moor back to the main footpath back to Horton, as we pass the pub on the way back to the cars it would be rude not to have a beer.
Let me know if you are joining us.

Malham

Yesterdays walk was an interesting one. From Malham up to Janets Foss (a mile and a half of lovely walk anyone can do),

then up to Gordale Scar.

Return from the Scar to the layby through the gate and up the field, once up to the first gate turn right and slightly back on yourself, across the field to the gate in the wall, then up the climb to be able to look down at Gordale Scar .

From there join the path to Malham Tarn, walk to the tarn then turn left and head back to the carpark and road. Once at carpark, turn left to the icecream van, through the gate to the left and follow the lower path, down towards dry valley. Rather then dropping down the steps, walk on and take the style on the wall, walk through the Meadows and over 3 styles. Once over the 3rd style head to the left and you will come to the top of Malham cove.

Have your lunch or a quick break with your sandwiches and look down the valley, then i'm afraid its down the 100's of steps then follow the main path back to Malham and the Buck in for a well earned drink. A walk of approx 9 miles

Sunday 28th August

Looking to walk Pen-Y-Ghent on Sunday 28th August (yes bank holiday Sunday). Please look at the following link Pen-Y-Ghent walk for an overview of the basic walk, if we are making good time and everyone is fresh, I would rather do the version Pen-Y-Ghent and Polver Hill . Looking to meet in Horton at 8:30am for 9am start, in the layby on the left as you enter the village from Settle.
Please add a comment if your joining us, or alternatively join the facebook group and add a comment there.

Tomorrows Walk

Looking to meet in Skipton tomorrow about 2pm, then head up to Clapham for 3pm start for a walk up Ingleborough. Feel free to join us, if you cant manage the full walk, you could walk up to Ingleborough Cave and then back down the nature trail.

Next Walk

I am looking for ideas for a walk this Saturday 6th August, any ideas welcome, thought an afternoon / early evening walk would be good.
Could do Ingleborough from Clapham, or from Chap-le-dale side, or maybe a gentle stroll around the Bolton Abbey paths. Alternatively we could do Top Withens (Bronte Sisters Walk). But i am open to any suggestions for walks.

Gordale scar walk

Some new faces on the walk, that's always good to see. The weather was nice and hot again, the water fall had a little bit more water on it than last time but still passable.
Out on the tops it was very empty, until back at the cove (cheers Harry Potter) every man and his dog wanting to see where he camped for 3 minutes of the film.

Sunday 24th July

This coming Sunday we are going for the Gordale Scar, Malham walk again hoping a few more turn up and the weathers kind.
Starting by the Buck Inn about 9:30 so if you want to join us we will be meeting there.

Saturday 2nd July walk

Turned out to be just me and my friend Sue on the walk, James worked over and not heard from Steve as to why he wasn't there.
Red hot day, but nice and cool when climbing Gordale Scar (yes we did it). Very hot out on the top towards the tarn and then back towards the cove. Nice pint of Old Peculiar in the Buck Inn at the end too.

Want suggestions for the next walk, and would be good to see new faces too

Malham

Malham

Yesterday I did a gentle walk around Malham from the Tarn, down to the Cove and back around. Even though it was a red hot day in the valley, there was a nice breeze and a very nice sprinkling of rain along the way.
I'll post some picture later.
Would love to see some new faces on the walk next Saturday morning.

Walks

Please use the comment box on here to enter details of any walks you would like to do and we will see what we can do as a group walk.

The Abbey at Bolton Abbey 3

A break on night walk

From Cam Fell toward Pen-y-Ghent

Me baking in sun

My favourite fell

Pen-y-Ghent in the mist

Pen-y-Ghent in snow

Pen-y-ghent in the snow

In the mist on Fountains Fell

On the way to the dreaded steps at Malham Cove

The lovely Pen-y-Ghent in the mist

Fountains Fell

James, Matthew and Mark

Ready to leave Horton

Matt the legend

Before

Trailttrekker times

My timing break down, as you can see we lost time helping one of team 2 get from Malham to Fountains fell

No.:	097A
Name:	Mark Dunstan
Team:	British Gas Digital 1
Checkpoint Time of Day   Elapsed Leg Position Start - Skipton Sat 07:05:30   ----- -----   WS1 - Gargrave Sat 08:32:04   01:26 01:26    539th (648) CP1 - Malham Sat 10:37:36   03:32 02:05    492nd= (648) WS2 - Fountains Fell Sat 15:57:44   08:52 05:20    610th (644) CP2 - Horton in Ribblesdale Sat 17:48:01   10:42 01:50    595th (641) WS3 - Cam Farm Sat 21:41:45   14:36 03:53    570th (604) Retired CP3 Sun 01:53:01   18:47 04:11

Malham Walk

Details for Malham walk

• Meeting at Malham by Buck Inn at 9am
• Route starts on path to Janets Foss
• Then up to Gordale Scar ( Bacon Butties from van by campsite if required)
• Climb Gordale Scar, everyone is capable of getting up her with help and support
• Across to Malham Tarn if clear day it has awesome views
• Back towards Malham Cove
• Those lovely steps down (take care these get your calf's)
• Back to Buck Inn for a nice drink.

The route should take between 3 to 4 hours depending on the group and fitness levels, plenty of great photo opportunities along the way.  We always walk as a group and keep together, the main thing is that everyone enjoys the walk and fitness levels improve. I will pass the map around and ask were people think we are along the way also.

The group

Hi guys, this is a continuation from the British Gas Digital1 blog, as unfortunately through injuries, myself (Mark), Steve and James didn't complete the 2011 challenge. Although the machine we call Matthew Criss did!!
Going to volunteer on next years walk, unless a Doctor puts his money and feet were his mouth his and joins me in doing it in 2012!!!
Must also start with a big thank you to the mountain rescue guys and Dr Chris who came to me aid and got me down from just below Cam Farm.
I have started a facebook group for training walks, just search trailtrekker training 2013 in facebook and join. I will also so will be linking both together. Anyone is welcome, even if you don't fancy trailtrekker come on a walk get fit and if you want to learn basic map reading I'll go through that with you too.
The first training walk will be the Malham, Gordale Scar, Malahm Tarn, Malham loop on Saturday 2nd July 2011. Hope to see some new face on the walks.