Need advice from walkers please

[petal]

You know when i scanned this thread I thought 'walkers' said something else for a moment and cracked up. must get my glasses..........

[bustertom]

Hi Kirsty, I walked Hadrians Wall a couple of years ago and had a fantastic time. There are some tough steep sections so one thing I would recommend it to work on your stamina - distance is one thing but steep climb after steep climb is another.
Good luck,
Clare

[kirsty b]

Thanks Clare,

unfortunately where I live there are few steep hills, but I'll find as many as I can to practice on. I walked about 6 miles of the wall when I was about 15 and loved it, we went past Sycamore Gap and that bit from memory is fairly steep!!
I have started training already, did 3 miles yesterday and plan to increase distance each week till I'm doing longer walks at least 2-3 times a week. The dog enjoyed it but as soon as we got home she slid up on to the couch and stayed there!! I reckon as soon as I say the 'W' word today she'll be up for it all over again

[Two_Sheds]

Kirsty (I'm not saying that you need to, but) could you do a sponsored slim as part of your training? Any spare pounds will be falling off you as you hike up those hills

[kirsty b]

Got my boots!!!!!!

and they are soooooooo comfy!!

Went shopping in Keswick the other day which is just crammed with outdoor shops. I ended up in an independent one, had a chat with the man there, explained what I was up to, what I was looking for and what my price range was.
He brought me pair after pair, gave me hiking socks to try them on with, loads of advice. I put a pair on and they felt comfortable instantly. Walked round the shop several times. He was so helpful, and full of advice.
I have got lightweight Regatta iostex boots, waterproofed suede uppers, grippy, but flexible soles that are shock absorbing. Can't wait to get out and about in them on my practices

Also picked up one of those bright orange survival bags, and made a start on a first aid kit to carry in my pack and a decent pair of gloves for the chillier mornings. And, even better, my sister in law has given me a lightweight weatherproof Berghaus jacket to use as it no longer fits her.

[Burnzie]

Hi Kirsty, just noticed this thread for the first time.

Pleased to see you have got yourself some comfy boots. If you want "ultra-comfort" take out the innersoles and replace them with a set of sorbothane double strikes.

The walk you are planning is a lovely area and quite challenging.

Even more so as you are planning to do it east to west, into the prevailling wind.

Fingers crossed for settled weather !

very best wishes and good luck

Burnzie

[Bulbaholic]

Kirsty, plenty of advice here on what you might like to carry. Don't make the mistake of carrying too much though, everything weighs. I have seen suggestions for a small stove (obviously with a cooking pot) and you are looking at a first aid kit. If the group can liase sensibly beforehand then one item such as these between the whole group might suffice. At the end of 20 miles your sac can feel as if it weighs a ton!
Did I see any mention of a good back pac? Go back to the outdoor shop for a good one with broad shoulder straps and waist belt. I also missed seeing anything about map and compass ( including experience in using them). The rout is well marked on the ground but when the fog rolls in during the afternoon .........!

[ladylottie]

Pounds falling off? I only wish! I've been a hillwalker for over 40 years, walking every weekend and two or three times in the week as well now that I've retired, but it's never lost me any weight. It keeps me very fit and toned of course, but I still have to watch my weight - groan!

I would agree with most people's comments - buy a pair of boots (spend as much as you can afford) from a good walking gear shop - make sure that your toes don't touch the front of the boot when walking down a slope (the shop will have a special box with a slope one side and steps the other for you to try). I take a size 38 shoe but wear a size 39 boot with bridgedale sock liners and bridgedale (or similar) socks which have padded toes and heels.

Millets sell inexpensive "wicking/breathable" tops which when worn under a lightweight fleece and with a breathable waterproof on top will cover most of your needs. Don't forget hat gloves and scarf in your rucksack just in case it turns chilly.

Oh yes - I always keep a pack or two of Compeed plasters (from Boots the chemist) in my rucksack. They come in different sizes.

I would suggest that you try and walk a little bit further every day, keeping a pace of about 2 miles an hour and increasing the amount of uphill you do.

And most important of all - don't get anxious about it, have a great time being out in the fresh air and looking at that fab scenery.

But be warned - it can be addictive - one bite and you're hooked as they say!

[kirsty b]

Kirsty, plenty of advice here on what you might like to carry. Don't make the mistake of carrying too much though, everything weighs. I have seen suggestions for a small stove (obviously with a cooking pot) and you are looking at a first aid kit. If the group can liase sensibly beforehand then one item such as these between the whole group might suffice. At the end of 20 miles your sac can feel as if it weighs a ton!
Did I see any mention of a good back pac? Go back to the outdoor shop for a good one with broad shoulder straps and waist belt. I also missed seeing anything about map and compass ( including experience in using them). The rout is well marked on the ground but when the fog rolls in during the afternoon .........!

Thanks - all info is good and will be printed and taken with me to our meeting when we have it.
When my sister does the bookng, we will get an itinerary, safety guide, kit list etc.
I have a daysack, it has broad straps and a waist belt too. I was going to get a water bladder, which will slip into a pocket inside my pack, and am also considering a flask to carry hot water/tea etc. I do plan to pack sack with similar weight items and weigh it well in advance, and also to practice walking with it to see how practical it is. Found a fell walking safety guide in a toursit info place in Keswick and although we are not fell walking it seems a sensible piece of paper to have taped to something just in case.
Once sis has booking and numbers confirmed we are all getting together to sort all this stuff out, the idea of sharing stuff out among the team is a good'un and not one I had thought of. We are getting a trail guide too, but I am looking for a map of the walk, Ordnance Survey if poss, with contours etc marked out so we can identify steep bits and I can study it at home prior to setting out too.

[nick the grief]

The most important thins is to enjoy it Kirsty. I did the west highland way a few years ago with two friends and we had a brilliant time. Bes of it is you can justify all the calories you consume because you'll need them Started every day with a full english and two Ibuprofen worked like a dream (that and the pub stop at lunch)

We stayed in b&b's/hotels and had the gear forwarded for us so only needed to carry day stuff and that was

Water ( you need this trust me at least a litre)
Sarnies
fruit
Tea/Coffee
Snack bars
Waterproof Trousers
Gaiters
spare socks(in a sealed plastic bag in case you get the others wet)
Waterproof jacket
Maps - don't forget this!
Compass - just in case
mobile phone
camera - you see loads on the way
Hats ( wooly & base ball cap)
Gloves
Bivvi bag - you might come across someone who is injured and it will help them
small notepad and pencil- always usefull
and finally loo roll - far better for the bottom than grass

and as Confucius says "journey of a 1000 miles is easier by plane"