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.