|
What
the Experts Say |
| The folks
at Trail magazine have written a whole load of very useful
content on choosing
gear, which is kindly provided on Black's website. |
| |
| Walking
FAQ's |
| Q:
I’ve never walked with Brunel before. Do I have
to contact the walk leader in advance to let them know
I’m coming?
A:
You don’t need to contact the walk leader in advance;
you can simply turn up. In fact this is what most people
do. However, if you are at all unsure about the level
of the walk, if you are new to walking, or if there
is anything you are unsure about, please feel free to
contact the walk leader. If you are not sure which walk
to choose from the programme, we recommend you go for
an easy one to get a feel for things, and then you can
work your way up the grades if you want to. Walk leaders’
phone numbers are printed on the programme.
N.B.
If you are going to telephone a walk leader prior to
a walk, please don’t leave it until the night
before. Most walks take place on a Sunday and our leaders
do occasionally go out on Saturday nights.
Q:
I don’t have a car and can’t get to the
start point. What can I do?
A:
This normally will not be a problem, most walks have
meeting points within Bristol that are accessible by
public transport. If for some reason public transport
happens to be unavailable, the walk leader may be able
to get you a lift from someone who lives close to you
if they know they are coming. Please bear in mind that
regular walkers do not normally advise the leader in
advance of their attendance, so often a walk leader
will not have a fixed idea of attendees. Please do not
expect the walk leader to come and get you and if a
lift is arranged for you, please be prepared to be collected
at a location other than your front door.
Q:
How fit do I need to be?
A:
Almost anyone could do a 1 or 1+ boot walk. Most new
walkers should be able to do a 2 or possibly a 2+ boot
walk but should expect to find it quite tiring. We would
not normally advise people to start with a 3 boot walk
unless they are either a regular walker or confident
of their physical fitness and stamina. Experience shows
that the hardest walks on the programme (typically Welsh
hill walks) can be very demanding. To really enjoy them
you will need a reasonably high level of fitness.
Q:
Do I have to bring a map?
A:
On a programmed walk the leader will have a map and
will know the route - so you don't have to carry one.
However, we would always encourage people to be as self-reliant
as possible - so feel free to bring a map and follow
the route if you want. All leaders will be happy to
explain the route to you or show you where you are,
so please don’t hesitate to ask.
Q:
How safe is walking?
A:
The type of 'low-level' walking undertaken on most 1
and 2 boot walks is fairly safe. However, you should
understand that participation on group walks is on the
basis that you are a willing adult and that you are
aware of and accept any risks involved. No walker would
ever leave someone in distress and any leader will always
endeavour to give you an enjoyable and safe day out,
but you must realise that ultimately the person responsible
for your safety is you. The group cannot accept responsibility
for accidents/injury or personal liability. If you are
worried about this issue you may wish to enquire about
insurance, the BMC (tel. 0161 445 4747) have a range
of suitable policies. Please remember that leaders will
normally not hold official walking qualifications or
first aid certificates, they’re just unpaid volunteers
doing their best to give you an enjoyable day.
Q:
Can I bring my children/dog ?
A:
As a group we try to be as welcoming as possible. However,
children and dogs present additional problems and risks
both to themselves and others. Never assume that any
walk will be suitable for them or indeed that they will
automatically be permitted on the walk. Always ask the
leader well in advance. Remember that you will be responsible
for their safety and actions at all times.
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| Welcome
to the world of Brunel walks! |
| This
page aims to answer all those questions about how our walks
work, what to bring, what to drink etc...
We
publish our walks programme 3 times a year. Each new programme
(and any subsequent amendments) goes out by email to all members.
6 weeks or so before the end of the current programme, the
Programme Secretary will start asking for walks for the next
programme.
All
Brunel walks are 'led'. That is to say that a volunteer
leader will have worked out the route, planned the timings
and actually gone out and pre-walked it to see that
it all works. (If you want to lead but are not 100%
confident, contact
Mel. and she can advise.) Often the leader will
have a back marker to help them. The leader's role is
to make sure that everyone heads in the right direction,
stays safe and stays together. That means everyone else
can relax and enjoy themselves.
-
At
the start we organise ourselves to share lifts
-
The
walk leader will give a brief before the walk starts
-
Most
leaders will have a morning, lunch and afternoon stop.
For some the timing is almost religious...
- On
a walk, most leaders are happy if you go ahead of them -
but don't get too far ahead (you might look round and find
everyone has stopped to let people catch up, or for a coffee)
or presume as to the route (this is the best way to get
lost!)
- If
you need a comfort break, do let someone know that you're
stopping - they can then ensure that the group doesn't disappear
off down a side turn without you
- And
if you've just climbed a hill, be prepared to spend a few
moments catching your breath as the group waits for the
last person to make it up the climb
- After
the walk we head for a tea shop or a pub
- As
you might be muddy and/or sweaty at the end, bring some
spare stuff to get changed into after the walk - it's both
more comfortable and kinder on whoever's car you're travelling
in....
Below
are few basics that it's worth sorting out before you come
out walking. They help make for a fun and safe day.
|
What
to wear.... (and what not to wear - jeans!) |
| |
Essentials |
| Waterproof
jacket |
Breathable
jackets will be much more comfortable - and are
becoming increasingly affordable. |
| Good
Boots |
If
you are buying a pair of walking boots for the first
time, you will have the choice between fabric boots
and leather boots. Fabric boots should have a waterproof
lining, and will often be more immediately comfortable.
Leather boots are more naturally waterproof, although
many will have a waterproof lining as well, but
need to be looked after properly. Some people also
find it takes a little longer to "walk them
in". In recent years there has been a trend
towards 'approach shoes', which resemble trainers
but give slightly more support. They are fine for
low level dry walks but as the ground gets wetter,
steeper, rockier and more slippery you will need
the waterproofing, warmth and support of proper
boots. |
| Daysack |
You
will need some sort of rucksack. Make sure it is
comfortable for long periods. Always try out backpacks
with a realistic load in them. On short summer walks
it's possible to get away with a belt-bag and some
people find them more comfortable - but make sure
it's big enough. Choose one to accommodate your
kit, food and drink - not the other way round. Most
2 and 3 boot walkers carry 25-35 litre rucksacks
(but every manufacturer has a different definition
of 25 litres!). |
| |
You
may end up wanting these too... |
| Layers |
Carry
enough warm layers! A number of thinner layers are
warmer and more adaptable than fewer heavier layers.
Fleece materials dry out quickly and are much lighter
to carry (whereas wool can be very warm, but needs
to be kept dry). Even in summer it can be quite
cold on hilltops or in the rain, so always carry
a spare layer. The best layers are wicking ones
- wicking t-shirts start at ~£15 and they
quickly become your best friend! (It's fine to start
out wearing cotton as a base layer but it can absorb
and hold large amounts of water (i.e. sweat) which
will then cool when you stop moving. In summer this
may feel uncomfortable, in the winter it can make
you feel cold very quickly.) |
| Walking
Trousers (did we say no jeans?) |
Walking
trousers should be light-weight and loose fitting
- so they dry out quickly. Waterproof trousers provide
much better protection but for low-level walking
they are not essential. Jeans are not recommended
because when wet the denim doesn't retain your body
heat so you get cold quickly - and it won't dry
easily, so you'd stay that way. It also gets very
heavy and uncomfortable. (We don't get fussy about
much, but a leader is unlikely to take you on a
hill walk if you turn up in jeans.) The same goes
for things like heavy track-suit bottoms. |
| Gaiters |
Gaiters
(which protect your lower legs and ankles) are great
for keeping the mud off, and if you go through long
wet grass (or shallow streams). |
| Warm
gloves and hat |
Outside
of the summer always carry gloves and a warm hat.
Again, fleece is better than wool. Hats are great
for keeping you warm when you stop for lunch. (We
only know one Brunel member with a bobble hat though!) |
| Torch |
Carry
a torch between October and March - and check that
it works and you have spare batteries. |
| Sun
hat and sun block |
Walks
may involve long stretches with little or no cover
and if you don't slap on the hat and cream then
it's easy to get burnt when you're out all day.
Sun glasses are often handy too. |
| First
aid kit |
The
group has first aid kits which are carried on some
walks. But we can't guarantee that there will be
one on every walk. It's sensible to carry a small
personal first aid kit, with blister kit/plasters,
sterile wipes, bandages and your choice of pain
relief. If you suffer from any potentially serious
medical condition (e.g. diabetes, asthma) it's best
to mention this to the leader before the start.
If you need any (regular or occasional) medication,
please bring it with you plus some spare supplies. |
|
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Food
and Drink |
Only
you can judge how much you need to eat and drink - but always
be sure to bring a bit more than you think you need in case
of emergencies; plan on having some left at the end. On Sundays
most rural shops will be shut and even drinking water may
be hard to find on some walks. 2+ and 3 boot walks can drain
a lot of energy and you may feel unexpectedly hungry or thirsty,
especially if you haven't done many before.
A
few tips:
- Bring
a balance of sugary (dried fruit, chocolate bars etc.) and
starchy (bread, flapjacks, peanuts) foods
- Always
carry water or other cold drink in a resealable bottle.
In summer bring plenty of water (but don't overburden yourself)
- In
winter consider bringing a flask as a hot coffee/tea/soup
can be very warming
- (Once
again) always bring more food and drink than you think you
will need, the walk may last longer than you anticipate
Oranges,
bananas etc. take years to biodegrade, so please take the
peel home with all your other left-overs. Empty wrappers and
skins are much lighter after you have eaten the contents!
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