Walking

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omens

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My wife of five years, who gets out of breath walking around the block, has decreed we should go for a walk this weekend. She’s picked the Malvern hills as she frequents the hairdressers there.

Having done very little nature walking since school days, I’ve had to buy some proper walking shoes as my flat bottomed trainers were unlikely to afford me suitable grip.

So far, I’ve got:
  • Walking shoes
  • Walking socks
  • Jeans, two layers of T-shirts, thin fleece top, raincoat
  • Water, food
  • Flashlight
  • Printed map, compass
  • iphone, battery pack
  • Camera, spare battery, spare memory cards
Is there anything else I’m likely to need? The route appears to be a 9-mile linear route and we’re likely to do half of it (and then double back to the car).
 
Jeans are probably not the best things to wear, if it rains they will be soaking, potentially freezing cold, and also heavy. I'd suggest a wicking top and some similar material type trousers. You may also want sunglasses and a hat depending on the weather. But if you are not sure if you are going to do this more regularly you may not want to invest just yet. As you are only doing a relatively short trek I'm sure you will be fine.

Might be worth looking at somewhere like here for ideas if you want to take it more seriously.
 
Cheap waterproof overtrousers such as Regatta - awkward to put on and do not breathe BUT they are cheap and useful.
Open Street Map app for your phone - I use osmand - free and up to 7 free maps.
9 miles on non-level ground is quite a way if you are not used to it. Be prepared to turn round before halfway.
Small first aid kit. Tick removal tool. Hand Sanitiser/wipes
Waterproof map holder or a large clear plasic bag for the map
Large plastic bag which you have cut open so you get a long rectangle for you both to sit on if its damp, Or you can have a bag each if you are not talking :)
I also take a monopod / walking pole.
 
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IMO if either or both of you are as you describe of your wife, fitness wise, do NOT be over ambitious with either the terrain or the length of the first walk(s).

I just re-read that the walk that you have chosen is 9 miles.........total of half way & double back. That length of walk for anyone who is not used to walking regularly is, maybe, too long for someone who " who gets out of breath walking around the block "

But as to gear ~ key is good walking shoes or boots........though modern boot materials don't IMO need the 'breaking in' of walking boots in the 1970's and before, just be wary of taking a long walk in new and untried footwear. NB decent sock are a must ;) A blister that develops by the time you get to your 4.5 mile turnaround could make the walk back almost impossible without major discomfort and pain.

You are right to think carefully about what you will need but equally do consider building up to longer walks gradually.
 
Yep definitely not jeans - the worst thing you can wear. Polycotton is fine. Try Regatta for reasonable clothing (perfectly good for what you're doing) at a budget price. Oh, and although it looks uncool tuck your trousers into the top of your socks. Keeps all the scratchy bits of vegetation out. Your 'raincoat' needs to be breathable, comfortable to walk in and have a hood, otherwise you'll either hate it or you'll get wetter on the inside than the outside. I'd suggest adding a small first aid kit. It need only be a few plasters but there's nothing worse than finding you have a blister, especially if you're wearing newish shoes. My current walking boots took a couple of years to decide they were going to rub. Tick remover - there's loads of the little buggers around at the moment so a good idea. Walking pole? Jury's out. If it's something you may never use again then don't bother. If you're going to make this a regular thing you'll probably know if a pole (or 2) is going to be a benefit. But yes, 9 miles is an ambitious start. Just be prepared to turn round sooner rather than later. Use a mapping app (MapmyWalk, Strava, there may be others) so if you go wrong you can see where you went wrong and figure out how not to next time. And if you do the full distance you get the bragging rights............... If the weather looks a bit iffy it can be worth leaving a change of clothes in the car, depending on the length of drive home. When I go walking (anything up to 2 hr drive) I actually change completely before I come home, every time. But I do drive a draughty old Defender with a heater that's more of a concept..........
 
Jeans are about the worst thing to walk in..

Whilst a map and compass are always handy, if you don't know how to use them, they aren't really any use.

9 miles is a big ask, not saying you can't both do it, but never push yourselves too much at the beginning.

I have taken up walking again after about a 40 year gap. Started off doing about a mile and have built it up. Have only done one 10 miler, but as I live in a valley a lot of my "shorter" routes involve hills. As I have dodgy knee I find poles an absolute must, for anything over a mile.
 
some are mentioned above but essential in my bag

first aid kit
toilet roll
spare socks
depending on weather sunscreen/hats or insect sprays

Maybe a trekking pole if you're not used to walking distances.

edit: I also carry a whistle (don't laugh) phones can't be trusted and I once fell and injured myself on a hike. Luckily I scrabbled/hopped back to the carpark but it could've been a nasty situation.
 
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What everyone else has said but get some compeed blister plasters.
Nine miles 4/5 hours is a long way if you are not used to it
 
troutfisher said:
What everyone else has said but get some compeed blister plasters.
Nine miles 4/5 hours is a long way if you are not used to it
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Absolutely. A blister will turn any hike/walk into a miserable experience, and make it seem a lot longer...get Scholl moleskin comfort padding if you can't get the Compeed product in time.

I always carry a Swiss Army Knife (Climber) too. It's not a lock blade, is legal to carry in a 'public place', and has useful tools.
 
IMO 9 miles is a big ask for a first walk, especially if there's some uppy bits. Consider 5 miles.

Definitely no jeans. Alternatives have been mentioned.

Take your time and enjoy.
 
Thanks all. I’ve discussed my concerns with the wife. We plan now to walk for time instead of distance so one hour out, rest for an hour, and one hour back. We’re both in our 30s but I’ve been doing some conditioning workouts as well as walking for 3 miles a few times a week since the start of lockdown. I think I’ll be fine. Less certain about wifey. But flat tarmac and rocky paths are very different beasts.

I’ve switched to combat style trousers for the time being. I bought hiking socks with my walking boots.

Maps - I’m been mapreading since I was 7 (I was the navigator for my dad) although again Road maps are different, I’ve been comfortable with OS maps long before satnavs were invented.

We shall see how tomorrow goes. If it ends up being something we enjoy, then we will aim to increase our fitness and walk further with each visit.

Thank you for all the advice. I’ll post an update on our exploits.
 
Just take your time and enjoy it. You may travel further or cut the walk shorter. Don't make it a miserable experience or you won't go again. I know you have a list of stuff but don't overload with stuff that's just adding weight. Carrying lots of stuff isn't fun on a walk either. Treat it as a bit of a picnic. Travel, sit, eat and drink then make your way back. I love sitting down in the mountains having a brew and a crappy meal I wouldn't dare to eat at home :D

I know it's really obvious but if it's a straight out and back, don't forget you've got to walk back. Your legs may ache a little the following day but you'll improve and be able to travel longer distances.

Enjoy it and have fun, it's a great way to enjoy nature, see things and get fresh air(y)
 
As most have said ditch the jeans if they get wet they take hours to dry, loads of sales at the moment get a cheap pair of poly cotton or polyamide they dry in minutes. Maybe a small backpack to carry everything they even do some pretty decent insulated ones.
Maybe start with something a little shorter have a look at these there are plenty more online.
www.visitthemalverns.org/things-to-do/walking/walk-finder/?wpv-walk-location=walks-on-the-malverns
www.komoot.com/guide/674189/hiking-in-the-malvern-hills
Always nice to get out with the camera, enjoy.
 
It's hard to disagree with the good advice here except that.....you're in your 30s and have been keeping active. 9 miles over hills is a longish walk but it isn't the north face of the Eiger :)

Walking shoes, decent socks, quick drying trousers and an extra layer that you can take on or off depending. A windproof would be useful, a waterproof even better.

Take your phone, take a whistle and you'll be better equipped than half the people on the Malverns this weekend.

I went up Snowdon last year with a group of friends - mostly in their 20s/30s. IIRC it's about 9 miles up and down and far from flat. I was shocked that one guy turned up in jeans and one of the girls had a Hello Kitty backpack that looked both heavy and useless. I'd been in Wales on my own for a few days so turned up in technical walking gear, goretex hill trainers and an ultra running vest with extra layers, water and high calorie snacks. But we all made it up and down in good spirits - even the guy in jeans. Would probably have been a different story if it had rained hard but, well it didn't. And if it had we wouldn't have gone.

Don't overthink it. Enjoy your walk. Don't be afraid to cut it short while it's still fun.

And 100% with @bumper - get a whistle. I have this one https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Lifesyst...ency+whistle&qid=1598692044&sr=8-6&th=1&psc=1 - 3 quid that really could save your life.
 
JonathanRyan said:
I was shocked that one guy turned up in jeans and one of the girls had a Hello Kitty backpack that looked both heavy and useless.
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I've been up Snowdon twice by different routes, up several 'easier' Munros in Scotland and I'm a regular in parts of Dartmoor most people don't know about. Believe me, your people were well equipped ;) The woman on Snowdon in sandals and the man I found on Dartmoor with no map and in a complete panic because he was totally lost spring to mind. There are many more.
The problem with a whistle is that how many people out for a wander on the Malverns would know what it meant if they heard it?
 
I remember walking in Ireland, we got a leaflet from the tourist office on a walk through some bogs and around a lake.
In the leaflet it said " don't worry if you get lost, take any path and it will come out somewhere" ??
 
Personally I would leave the camera and all the things you don't need for a first big walk, just enjoy the scenery, take a phone and record any scenes then if you want you can return later, take lots of water and a nice hat.
 
You have a map. Is it 1:25,000 scale? If not it's unlikely to help
You have a compass. Do you know how to use it accurately? If not it's unlikely to help.
Download the OS Locate app to your 'phone. It will give you your location to within a few feet. Practice transferring the info' it gives you to your 1:25,000 scale map before you go anywhere. This isn't just for safety, it really helps to know where you are.
As others have said, don't wear jeans (Denim).

Edit. Just read your bit about map reading. :-)
 
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Graham W said:
You have a map. Is it 1:25,000 scale? If not it's unlikely to help
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Why? lots of people navigate quite successfully with the 1:50,000 scale map. (Myself included) Most GPS trackers use 1:50,000 scale maps as standard (including the latest one from OS)
 
Thanks all. So we’re back home having had our first walk. We walked a total of 6 miles, setting off at 10AM and reaching the car by 2PM. We walked 2 miles to the peak and it was a reasonably difficult ascent - especially for the wife who needed to stop every so often. After a bit of rest, we walked another mile then turned back. Going downhill was a quite a bit easier than uphill. Lots of benches on the way to rest and catch your breath.

It was very windy at the peak. Windproof jacket and trousers are important. It wasn’t cold (I had on a vest and a t-shirt and felt warm enough) but wifey did feel a bit cold.

The Saloman shoes I bought were very comfortable. My feet barely ached by the time I got home. The rest of my body was another story.

No places for toilet breaks. Not a big issue for a guy. Not sure how women handle the situation.

I think wife would appreciate some sort of hiking stick to help with the more steep climbs.

Maps - didn’t really use. I kept my iPhone on my and used the google maps app to track our progress. But it doesn’t show the smaller pathways like the one we used to get to the main pathways.

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and are keen to go again, maybe starting at the south end instead of the north end.
 
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omens said:
I think wife would appreciate some sort of hiking stick to help with the more steep climbs.
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Before you rush off and buy Trekking poles take a good look at Nordic Walking Poles, they work differently to trekking poles and are a great walking aid I would not be without mine.

nordicwalking.co.uk

Homepage

WALX is the online store for all walking poles and accessories. Nordic Walking Poles to fitness walking poles and poles for rehabilitation
nordicwalking.co.uk nordicwalking.co.uk

Pleased that you enjoyed it and had a good day, keep it up.
 
omens said:
Thanks all. So we’re back home having had our first walk. We walked a total of 6 miles, setting off at 10AM and reaching the car by 2PM. We walked 2 miles to the peak and it was a reasonably difficult ascent - especially for the wife who needed to stop every so often. After a bit of rest, we walked another mile then turned back. Going downhill was a quite a bit easier than uphill. Lots of benches on the way to rest and catch your breath.

It was very windy at the peak. Windproof jacket and trousers are important. It wasn’t cold (I had on a vest and a t-shirt and felt warm enough) but wifey did feel a bit cold.

The Saloman shoes I bought were very comfortable. My feet barely ached by the time I got home. The rest of my body was another story.

No places for toilet breaks. Not a big issue for a guy. Not sure how women handle the situation.

I think wife would appreciate some sort of hiking stick to help with the more steep climbs.

Maps - didn’t really use. I kept my iPhone on my and used the google maps app to track our progress. But it doesn’t show the smaller pathways like the one we used to get to the main pathways.

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and are keen to go again, maybe starting at the south end instead of the north end.
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Great to hear. Enjoy more in the future.
 
omens said:
No places for toilet breaks. Not a big issue for a guy. Not sure how women handle the situation.
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I was once out (photographing, as it happens, not walking), pulled into a car park and there were 3 oldish gents lined up along the hedge with their backs to me. One of them said over his shoulder 'sorry, but when you've got to go......'. I desperately needed to join them, but if I had I'd have probably been arrested. Instead I had to walk about a mile up a lane and hop over a field gate. Walking alone and in remote areas makes it easier, but we women just have to get used to looking for a tree, rock, gorse bush or whatever happens to be around to hide behind. And if anyone catches us out, it's always a bl**dy man.......... :( We all have to go sometime, it shouldn't be a big deal, but...........
Plenty of walking poles on the market for your wife. Try to buy from a shop as the grips do vary and she may prefer a twist lock over a lever lock or vice versa. Some people swear by two, some people prefer just one.
BTW you never stop on a hill to get your breath back, you stop to admire the view ;)
 
Had to laugh..in a nice way, of course, at some of the items recommended to take. :)

We would choose a nice day and drive there ..45 minutes from home.. and wore a sturdy pair of walking boots, took a bottle of water each and took our Golden Retriever. We have some great shots of him with the wonderful views in the background. Sometimes we'd watch paragliders hurl (launch ?) themselves from the top of the hills. There's a hand-gliders club in Malvern.
 
Glad you enjoyed it. I am 72 and my wife is in her late 60s. We do nearly 4 miles every morning before 0900 and, before this virus, we regularly did 10 milers. My wife is also slow going uphill and we stop a lot for photos or trying to identify birds so we seem to average just over 1mph sometimes!
As for walking poles, I use a Velbon monopod, which is handy for some photos, and my wife uses a folding stick with an umbrella type handle as she prefers the grip - she can keep her wrist straight.
 
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In the last few years I have seen more people using two walking poles, so I assume they do their job.

On the hill I use one and find it useful, at times, in three situations -

when going down very steep ground,
testing a bog to see if it is likely to take my weight, and
when crossing a stream(which I do my best to avoid)

Dave
 
I walk 4/5 miles each morning and once or twice a week we’ll do 10/12 miles around South Downs etc. I can use a map and compass and have previouly done all the high mountains in UK. I discovered Viewranger last year

ViewRanger is now Outdooractive!

www.viewranger.com www.viewranger.com

Absolutely brilliant app that for £25 pa (for the premium version- which some won’t need)contains all the OS maps and many pre planned routes. Dead easy to use and I wouldn’t be without it.
 
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Jannyfox said:
I've been up Snowdon twice by different routes, up several 'easier' Munros in Scotland and I'm a regular in parts of Dartmoor most people don't know about. Believe me, your people were well equipped ;) The woman on Snowdon in sandals and the man I found on Dartmoor with no map and in a complete panic because he was totally lost spring to mind. There are many more.
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Yeah - we were up and down early - before the people in flip flops with kids on their shoulders :)

Jannyfox said:
The problem with a whistle is that how many people out for a wander on the Malverns would know what it meant if they heard it?
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Pretty sure that if I needed to attract your attention I could make it clear :)
 
Tringa said:
In the last few years I have seen more people using two walking poles, so I assume they do their job.

On the hill I use one and find it useful, at times, in three situations -

when going down very steep ground,
testing a bog to see if it is likely to take my weight, and
when crossing a stream(which I do my best to avoid)

Dave
Click to expand...

Good advice. You only have to stray a few yards off the track around the Ogwen Valley and you can find yourself shin-deep in mucky water. No use in having good boots if the water goes over the top of them. :p
 
JasonPC said:
Good advice. You only have to stray a few yards off the track around the Ogwen Valley and you can find yourself shin-deep in mucky water. No use in having good boots if the water goes over the top of them. :p
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Due to knackered hands and wrists I can't use a stick while I'm walking - I carry it on my rucksack for bog testing and river crossing. Yesterday on a walk on the humble Quantocks I walked through what I thought was just a muddy puddle on a path only to go in nearly to my knee on one foot. Unlike my favourite haunt of Dartmoor where if you go in you usually come out clean, I came out liberally coated in good red Somerset mud. Fortunately due to last week's rain the fords in the combes were deep enough to warrant knee length gaiters, and just down the path was a stream deep enough to make a good boot wash. Sometimes you just gotta have an excuse to splash around like a 2 year old ;) My partner doesn't do a lot of walking with me, but enough to know two things. One - I always have to be in front. Two - it's not always a good idea to follow where I lead....... :LOL:
 
Glad you enjoyed your walk.

Might just be me but all that kit for a 9 mile walk seems a bit much? Me and the Missus did a 9 mile walk Saturday in t-shirt, trainers and chino shorts, had a zip up jacket in my bag and a bottle of water.
 
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