What to Bring

Here’s an Essential Kit Kist for all our walks. Additional items are required for Challenge, Trek Training and Navigation Walks – please see notes below this Essential Kit List.

Essential Kit List For All Walks

Essential Clothing:

Strong, well worn-in and comfortable walking boots. We don’t recommend trainers.
Comfortable outdoor clothing with spare layers such as fleeces or jumpers. We don’t recommend jeans.
Waterproof jacket and waterproof over trousers.
Medium sized rucksack with waterproof liner.
Hat and gloves.
Small torch or head torch.
Sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses if it is sunny weather.
Small waste bag to ensure you can carry all your rubbish home.

Essential Food:

Large, packed lunch (if it’s a full day) and lots of snacks.
Plenty of water – 1.5 litres works for most people but some may require 2.5 litres or more. We don’t recommend fizzy drinks. Please note that alcohol is not permitted on our walks.

A small, lightweight mat to sit on in case it’s wet.
Walking poles.
Gaiters, unless it’s dry.
Midge repellent.
Personal mini first aid kit. E.g. Essential personal medication/pain killers, blister, plasters, lip salve, tissues and waste bag.
We advise you to carry your own Whistle and Survival Bag whilst walking in the hills. (We carry a Group Shelter, Survival Bag and Whistle for the Group).
Cash and card in case we visit a café.
Mobile phone / camera with waterproof cover.

Challenge and Trek Training Walks – Additional Items

These walks involve significant climbing and/or distance. As such there is an increased risk of dehydration. It is also important to maintain energy levels. In addition to the Essential Kit List above, please consider bringing:

Extra water
Extra (high energy) snacks

Top Tip! If you are training for a challenging mountain trip abroad or in the UK, consider wearing the boots you intend to wear on your trek and possibly bring the equipment and clothing you intend to carry.

Navigation Walks – Additional Items

In addition to the Essential Kit List above, please bring:

The relevant 1:25000 OS Explorer Map – we’ll let you know which one when you book. You can order maps online: Shop Ordnance Survey
A decent base plate compass, ideally with map measuring scales and a magnifier. E.g. Silva Ranger, Silva Expedition 4, Suunto A-30 Compass or similar.
A waterproof map case.
A water-resistant watch or phone with stopwatch function.
For night navigation courses only, a durable, bright head torch with fully charged or spare batteries.

If you are struggling to get hold of any navigation items we may be able to advise or lend you items. Just Contact Us .

Your Safety

Your safety is our primary concern so you can really help yourself and the group by ensuring you are prepared with the right kit before the day.

We’ll always try to help if we have spares but if your gear is unsafe (e.g. shoes with no grip) we may not let you join the walk.

In addition, we will:

Carry a full first aid kit and group shelter.
Consider the safety of the whole group, and may show more caution than individuals might when out walking on their own.
Undertake continuous risk assessment throughout the day and may take the decision to change or modify walking plans at short notice. This most commonly occurs in bad weather conditions. We do lead walks and courses in all weathers, so long as it is safe to do so.

Any questions about your walking kit or safety? Just Contact Us