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Going to add some hill walking in Scotland to next year's fitness repertoire - and I have zero hill walking kit. Will be going with an experienced mate, so map reading and all that is sorted.
I'm wary of rocking up to Tiso and then walking out having dropped £2k on doodads that I don't really need. As things stand I am a little price sensitive.
What do I actually need to get (starting from scratch). Thanks 🙂
Does very much depend on what time of year, full on winter Munro bagging is very different to wandering up a tourist path in July...
Map, compass, whistle, boots (or approach shoes), waterproof, hat, gloves, rucksack.
You can probably get most of it from Charity Shops...
Learning to use a map / compass should really be right up there on your list of priorities, get your mate to teach you...
If he twists an ankle and you have to leave him to get help (as no phone coverage) you're on your own...
Lots of skills articles here (just ignore the climbing specific ones): https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/skills/
Unless you're going out in winter conditions, or aiming to get straight onto Munros with compulsory scrambling, some decent shoes, some warmer layers, and a waterproof, and some kind of bag to put it all in.
Advice above largely sums it up. I would add though that decent (not necessarily expensive) boots or shoes are the single most important thing when it comes to having a good day. Try quite a few pairs on (Tiso have a great selection and generally very good staff), and take a pair or two home, wear them about the house for a while and see how they feel. Tiso will take them back as long as you haven't been outside.
I wear shoes for most hillwalking these days, apart from winter. Other people prefer boots. It's a personal choice.
High heels and a plastic bag for the Ben
As above, really.
Clothing can be quite easy to build up, the most important layers are probably the outer protective one, and the base layer next to your skin. Insulation mid-layers can be whatever you have. Places like Decathlon do really good value base layers, which are designed to be quick drying and move moisture from your skin, and waterproofs. Layering allows you to change your level of insulation to suit conditions. A thicker layer (warm fleece or light puffa-style jacket) is good for back up and at lunch stops, but you can manage with what you already have.
A rucksack around 30 litres would probably be about right, give or take. Should have some spare space for a proper lunch then!
Take plenty of liquids.
Hats and gloves could be needed all of the year in the Highlands. Always stick a torch in the bag somewhere, just in case. Small first aid kit.
If in doubt, bias the money towards the footwear part; boots or good approach shoes and decent socks (I use thin liners under thick walking socks, both from Bridgedale). I like the height of a boot but I'm fairly old school and many are happy with lighter footwear. They need good soles though, both in terms of grip and support/protection underneath.
As for nav, though your mate may be doing the main route finding, I'd encourage you to get involved and learn to enjoy using maps (digi, bought paper, home printed paper, whatever is your preference but have a back up to whatever system you use) as they are far more than just a tool to get from A to B. They help you understand the landscape, and get the most out of it, and knowing how to map read enhances the journey a lot in my eye.
No need to go down the big, chunky boot route for most conditions. I mostly wear lightweight trainer/boots these days.
If you're canny with the weather then a lightweight waterproof and a thin, insulating jacket of some sort and a bag to carry it.
FWIW I've been up and down Cairngorm in standard trainers and a t shirt. I ran over Cairngorm and Ben Macdui this summer with a vest, shorts and a wee pack.
Just set realistic expectations for your first few and learn a wee bit as you go. And be ready to bug out rather than persevere when required.
I would add though that decent (not necessarily expensive) boots or shoes are the single most important thing when it comes to having a good day.
Echo this - nothing like having uncomfortable shoes/boots. I get on well with Decathlon's boots and they're inexpensive. Previous pair lasted a while, only recently bought a new pair after wearing down the soles on my first pair. A bit like bike helmets though: need to try on many to find the ones that best suit your foot shape.
poles. You'll be glad you have them when you need them.
That's a lot of charity shop visiting to get all that gear and in the right size, I do love that blue goretex jacket but do you have a large through the back and the boots are slightly tight these are 9s do you have the same ones in 11 ?
If you use Scottish charity shops you will cook better plenty of Delia or Jamie books, Alexander brothers albums to play on your Rega turntable and hardly used expensive old lady crockery and a gravy jug
Back to the Munro's watch out for some of the "easy" close to central belt ones, they can bite really hard if the weather turns or you get lost
Will be going with an experienced mate, so map reading and all that is sorted.
that will be great until you get separated in mist, or he has an accident/medical and you are trying to get help with no mobile signal. Get a compass - get a map - learn the basics. You are now better equipped than at least 25% of the people you will see. It also means you can question his decisions - many a trip has gone wrong when everyone assumed the “leader” had it all under control, and you’ll not be as dependent on his availability.
What do I actually need to get (starting from scratch). Thanks 🙂
I think others have covered it well - be wary of the giant rucksack full of stuff “just in case” I used to do that and it turned a few walks into trudges. MTB was an eye opener for me - if I don’t need to carry that kit cycling why do I take it walking.
I’m a big fan of a buff, they stuff in a pocket so easily - you probably have a magazine freebie. You probably already have a hat, gloves, etc.
one thing I don’t think anyone else has mentioned is a flask of some sort. You’ll want cold fluids in hot weather, but for the rest of summer a flask of Heinz tomato soup at the summit cairn is like Michelin star food! You want decent, light weight, fit the amount you want with no more.
I’ve always been happy with decathlon kit - except their boots which seem to be 1/2 size too small or too big for me.
A car.
actually if the idea is to go hill walking, and do some Munros a car is absolutely not an essential. Trains and busses will get you from Glasgow to some interesting places and open up the possibility of linear rather than circular routes. I would say not to become fixated on Munros though. Not all of them are great - they are there because someone made a list with height as the entry criteria not technical challenge, accessibility, beauty, interest etc. So you find people trudging up dull hills in grim weather because they made themselves an artificial challenge whilst 100 miles away a wise old guy if dandering up a Corbett or a Donald without any waterproofs and oblivious to whether he can or should be “ticking it off”.
There’s plenty that are accessible, easy to navigate and choosing the right day (weather) and having a reasonable assessment of you own capabilities to complete it in reasonable time. Plenty of good info on places like Walk Highlands. I did my first Munro, Ben Lomond at 8 years old and still going up them 50 years later. There’s very little bad kit available and 99% of problems on the hill are simply down to bad choices, whether that’s down to head out in a rubbish weather forecast, lack of ability to safely navigate in poor weather or over-estimation of capabilities or fitness to get up and down safely in good time.
I’m firmly in the lightweight camp these days - lightweight boots or shoes, lightweight layers and being able to move relatively fast, although I did baulk after a quick ascent of Ben More on the other day, it was -6C and bright sunshine but when I got back to the car, there was a guy wearing shorts, trainers, t-shirt and no other gear about to head-up - there was lots of sheet ice across a significant part of the track.
- 30 litre backpack = whatever you find comfortable, plus a medium size dry bag to fit inside
- One walking pole
- comfortable hiking shoes (trainer style or boots) and try to walk around town with them for a few days before your first hike
- 2 pairs of gloves (1 spare)
- 2 hats (one thin helmet liner, one thicker)
- buff neck warmer
- merino hiking socks
- compass and map
- Duct tape (stored wrapped around walking pole for blisters, etc)
- softshell jacket which is windproof, the majority of conditions we find ourselves in when hiking, but it’s not very waterproof
- waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers (emergency use, or for staying warm whilst stopping to eat)
- Small first aid kit including blizzard survival bag (only one is needed between the two walkers)
- food, spare high energy food, water and in cold weather thermos of hot water.
- Water is heavy, but you don’t want to be without, so you will find the right amount to take the more experience you gain
- small whistle and head torch fully charged
sounds like a wonderful adventure and what a lovely journey to be sharing with a friend - enjoy
alpkit, decathlon, January sales will be good places to pick up some kit. If you happen to frequent charity shops anyway, it is certainly worth perusing as I have found cheap walking poles, hats and fleeces which I still use now years later
do come back and share photographs of your adventures
Judging by who we've frequently met on the more accessible/southerly hills like the Arrochar alps - Adidas Sambas, a poly bag for your piece, and a glass bottle of Irn Bru. And they were up a down a **** of a lot quicker than I was, I can tell you!
Also frequent meetings with people wearing flip flops and smoking fags. That's less helpful.
I'll just echo a couple of points above: 1) Comfortable supportive footwear. Repeat: Comfortable. 2) Good choices of day/weather location. 3) make sure you tell someone where you are going, approx timings and route.
After that, fill yer boots so to speak!
Back to the Munro’s watch out for some of the “easy” close to central belt ones, they can bite really hard if the weather turns or you get lost
We're a lot further south than Scotland here and binned off one easy walk in the hills last summer because the weather had changed from being a warm, sunny afternoon on the coast to a murky, wet 9 degrees at the car park starting point, twenty miles away. It changed back to sunshine and t-shirt weather as we drove back down the valley. It can be a different world up there.
Edit : I've also just remembered a sodden day when I was living on Dartmoor, non-stop rain all day. The sunniest, warmest place in England was reported on the radio as being Teignmouth, maybe 15 miles away.
poles. You’ll be glad you have them when you need them.
They're well down the list of priorities for someone starting hill walking on a budget.
Decent boots (some may prefer shoes), map and compass AND KNOW HOW TO USE THEM, rucksack for spare clothing, food and water.
Oh, you definitely need adequate wet weather gear, top and legs.
Survival bag and whistle unless it’s a pretty tame walk.
Only the boots and waterproofs are expensive and you’ve probably got the latter for cycling anyway.
30 litre rucksack? Not for Summer conditions - there's too much temptation to fill it. Assuming most mountain bikers will have a pack of some sort in the 12-18 litre range then just press that into use.
If your heading out in winter the wee hills next door to the big ones like Buachaille etive mor are probably better days if it's freezing but the sun is out whereas the sheet ice you need axe and spikes and torches
A walk up the devil's staircase if you can get a parking space gives pretty good views or Glencoe ski resort and start walking
Gaiters almost forgot
poles. You’ll be glad you have them when you need them.
We talking hill walking yeah? Not fighting world war 2
All good stuff above.
A free login to WalkHighlands and download thier app. You can then pre-download your route, and it GPS's your position to help nav.
Ask on here for suggested good hills and routes in the area you are - there's some belter days out and lovely 'first hills'.
Join a few of us as a group maybe? STW 2024 Hill Meet?
my two penneth worth is don't skimp on footwear. Always tempting to pick up something on offer, but much more important to get a good comfortable shoe, even if it's at full price. You cannot put a value on happy feet at the end of a day in the mountains. Like others, nowadays I have approach shoes for dryer weather and light boots for everything else.
All the other advice is spot on. I'd also reiterate the comments about getting involved in map reading and route choice
The one bit of kit I'd recommend is a small bothy bag, I've got a two man one about the size of a big orange when it's packed. Quite literally a lifesaver, but also great for lunch stops and breaks when blowy or a shower comes through
I'm another who would recommend going to Decathlon to try some of their lighter boots/ chunky shoes. Similarly, I'd suggest that you look at their jackets and hiking pants and waterproof overtrousers too. They're probably better than premium kit was as little as 10-15 years ago.
I'd also echo the 30L bag rather than 15-20, populated with extra layers and a bivvy/shelter/survival bag of your choice.
Kit thoughts: Midge net & Smidge; strong suncream. Put a spare bootlace, compeeds and paracetamol in your first aid kit, along with something edible that is capable of lasting in there for many months unused.
A sit mat, if your choice of bag doesn't already include one within;
Two foil blankets, which along with the duct tape and the mat, make a surprisingly effective shelter for the casualty that you will eventually encounter somewhere awkward.
Was browsing Mountain warehouse as a time filler the other day. The kit you get in there may well not be the big names and ultimately may, in a few case, not last as long or be as refined but to be honest it is fine. Even the cheap boots are better than much of what was around when I started 45 years ago ( Alright you won't find Galibier boots there) .
Charity shops, especially in hilly areas are also the place to go. Just buy the boots after trying on.
Expensive names can be very nice but totally unnecessary. A lot of what is regarded as essential isn't really. You don't need poles, a GPS, a fancy shelter etc . Cheap Silva copy compass, a map and a cover for that. Head torch, the 5 quid one from Decathlon works well enough.
Practise on the lower hills where you can walk off on a bearing to a road in foul weather if you get lost.
A sense of humour and a decent weather forecast. I use Windfinder and MWIS. Lots a of others are available.
Re rucksack size, conflicting views above, but personally I reckon 30L is too big/heavy for a summer Munro, unless it's a long, long day or weather is really grim. All you need, plus spares and safety kit, will fit easily into a 20L sack.
I'm a big fan of Deuter but they are slightly heavy, and not the cheapest. On the other hand they are bombproof and last for years and years so possible work out cheaper in the long run. And apparently (a German chum tells me) Deuter isn't pronounced the way I thought it would be.
If you have wide, flat feet don't waste your time in Decathlon.
Berghaus and Merrell much better for that foot shape or if on a budget I found Peter Storm had toe room (the latter less arch support). A Go Outdoors or similar will have a massive selection with a range of budgets. Tiso is similar in Scotland I guess from the posts.
Decathlon rucksacks, base layers and the like have been good for us and very reasonable and we use them across MTB, walking and sailing under wetsuits.
Also Decathlon do some lightweight walking shorts (and I assume trousers) that are utterly brilliant for about £30. Light, fast drying, comfy, no rub. They're a looser cut which suits my not scrawny build.
I'd second the navigation point (although I've never done the Highlands we've done plenty of other places in iffy weather) and when it's utterly foul a downloaded OS style map and GPS is a handy back up in addition to being able to use a map and compass. I'm old fashioned in that I work first from paper and compass but when it's foggy or the path is indistinct a GPS position check to confirm position is not cheating it's common sense. You should be capable of managing without but imo you should also use the tools at your disposal.
Above post not sharing but look up grim traveler experience walking up Ben Nevis as it's good advice
Some discounted trews, fleece & merino on here: Föhn Outdoor Clothing | Wiggle
As others have said, COMFY footwear. Try all the pairs you can afford in Tiso and get the o es that feel the nicest - don’t worry about the features/fabrics or any of that stuff, just how they feel on your feet.
Other than that, waterproofs are good, as is the sense to turn back if things start to get sketchy.
Trackie bottoms (not cotton ones) make great walking trousers.
If you’re out with a more experienced pal, spend a bit of time looking a the map with him to learn a bit about navigation.
COMFY footwear
Sitting in work, bored out of my skull,waiting for the place to close and my brain appears to have turned itself off because I've spent a while wondering what the acronym COMFY stands for! 😀
I’m old fashioned in that I work first from paper and compass but when it’s foggy or the path is indistinct a GPS position check to confirm position is not cheating it’s common sense.
Surely common sense is to just use the simplest accurate 'cheating' method and leave the flappy, clumsy, time consuming bit of nostalgia in the rucksack for emergencies (as long as you can remember how to use it 😄 ).
As no one's mentioned them yet, red wooly socks, bobble hat and pissed off expression must just be a given?
Also, a phone mainly for the OS app and checking the weather (met office, 800m, others are available) around which much else hinges.
And midge kit. Obv
Rucksac - that's where the fiddly awkward rain sensitive touch screen with the maps that you cannot orient and keep changing scale or jumping somewhere else lives. Printout of a map in a polypocket, nice and scrunchable preferred.
No love for Ron Hills?
A free login to WalkHighlands and download thier app. You can then pre-download your route, and it GPS’s your position to help nav.
I found this very helpful when the cloud came down when I was climbing Ben More.
Regarding footwear, my Meindl boots were expensive, but they're over twenty years old so I think are excellent value. In that time they've needed one repair, which cost about £80.
No love for Ron Hills?
You can still get Tracksters for about £15.
I probably paid more than that for my pair 30 years ago 😀
Without wishing to hijack the thread, if someone spots or has spotted a good waterproof hiking jacket in the sales then would appreciate a heads up!
Smidge, not for when you're at the top of the hills but when you're catching your breath at the bottom, low level picnic stops etc
Without wishing to hijack the thread, if someone spots or has spotted a good waterproof hiking jacket in the sales then would appreciate a heads up!
Budget?
I've a new Berghaus Paclite Vent that was sub £100 that's cracking, but one of our lads has a ME Goretex jacket in a couple of days that was 60% off at LD...
after reading reviews etc i got this
jacket
which is great except I shouldve gone for a large instead, the zip is fiddly, it feels clammy and the water drips off it and soaks my trouser legs.
Dont forget how hot you get climbing mountains, I preferred zipoff trousers and running shirt, till I got near the tops and froze
Also I got Merrell Moab 2 gtx boots which are really comfortable,though the sole could be a bit more grippy, they were half price at amazon merrell, but one sprung a leak so has just been sent back for a refund
.
Doesn’t need to cost much to go for a walk in the hills. Some of the suggestions are more nice to have than essentials. I’ve never used a walking pole or midge net for instance. Comfy footwear and waterproofs is all you need surely. The only item not to wear is jeans.
Take your bike. If your fitness is anything like mine there'll still be plenty of opportunity for walking on the way up. 😉
Well, if you ride all of that route up Carn Ban Mor you're just showing off...
Lightweight emergency Bivvy bag and a print out of hypothermia hillwalking guidance amongst other things.
https://www.mountaineering.scot/safety-and-skills/essential-skills