As the days grow shorter, here are our top tips on how to deal with the shorter winter days.
1. Check the weather.
There are numerous sources of information for the weather, one of our favourites is the Mountain Weather Information Service (http://www.mwis.org.uk/). This will give you a realistic idea of weather conditions in all the mountainous areas of the UK.
Just remember though that although the temperature in the valley might be 5 degrees, it could well be minus 5 degrees at the top of the mountain and that is not including any wind chill factors. A general rule of thumb is that for every 100 metres elevation there is a 1 degree temperature drop.
Another great website is the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (https://www.sais.gov.uk/), which can give some further information on snow conditions. They also have a fantastic free app called BAA (Be Avalanche Aware), it has some great features and can be downloaded for free here.
2. Pack your kit the night before
Routing around in the dark first thing in the morning is quite annoying for everyone else in your household and invariably you will forget something. Pack your rucksack the night before, set your clothes and boots next to your rucksack, then the only things you need to do in the morning is fill the flask and defrost the car. Pack an ice axe and crampons, and make sure you know when to use them, but more importantly, how to use them.
3. Set the alarm early.
An early start means that you can be at your starting point at sunrise and should allow you time to complete your route of choice with plenty of daylight to spare at the end of the walk. This way you may witness some spectacular sunrises but more importantly you don’t end up finishing in the dark.
4. Be realistic
That 20 mile walk is probably okay in the summer, but in winter the daylight hours are reduced, you will be also be carrying more kit (goggles, ice axe, crampons, extra clothing, extra food), which means that your body will be working harder and burning more calories, so make sure some of that extra weight in your pack are snacks to keep your energy levels up.
5. Plan your route
Know your route inside out, avoid avalanche areas, steep slopes and rivers which can be swollen during winter, meaning long detours if you can’t cross them. Take a map and compass, know how to use them, and ensure you have a plan B alternative route. If possible leave a route card with someone you can trust and agree when they should implement emergency protocols if you are late home.
6. Don’t forget to prep the car.
Fill up with fuel the night before, winter tyres fitted, check oil and coolant levels. Also have an emergency kit, phone charger, blankets and snow shovel in the car, just in case.
7. Layer up
Use a base layer made from a good wicking material that draws sweat away from your skin, and avoid cotton. A warm mid layer like a fleece or similar and a waterproof/windproof outer layer. Make sure you have a warm hat and take a couple of pairs of gloves.
Avoid overheating though, too many layers can make you sweat which can leave you dehydrated. Another top tip is ‘Be Bold, start cold’, how many times do you see people stopping after 5 minutes of walking to take a layer off because they’re too hot and sweating, but by this point the base layer is already damp with sweat.
8. Pack a headtorch
Make sure you have a head torch, spare batteries and a spare head torch as they have a habit of accidentally turning on in your rucksack (or turn the batteries around in the torch so they can’t turn on). You may make a navigational error or be tempted to put in an extra peak and finish the walk in the dark, (just make sure your emergency contact is aware). Keep your spare batteries in a pocket so they do not get cold.
9. Charge your phone
Make sure your phone is fully charged, with enough battery life to last you through the day. A power bank may also be useful should the battery run low and protect your phone with a waterproof case. Some older phones do not like the cold, so keep the phone in an inner pocket to try and keep it warm. You may end up using the phone as a camera, and may use the OS maps or View ranger Apps for navigation. These navigational apps will quickly drain your battery, but ideally you should be using a map and compass to navigate anyway, with your phone or GPS only as a backup. A fully charged phone will be your best friend in an emergency.
10. Book a course
Learn from the professionals, book onto a National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) course (which we run here at Boot Routes). These courses give you some skills and confidence to venture out on your own. Not only do the courses cover how to use a map and compass, but they cover subjects such as access rights, correct equipment, emergency procedures etc. As you progress, look towards a ‘Winter Skills course’, where you can learn how to use your ice axe and crampons, and there are many excellent providers across the UK.
