Any avid outdoor types fancy starting a discussion about trekking type stuff? (Harley's Dad, im looking at you!)
Not sure if this belongs in GenChat but hey ho.
I'll kick off by picking your brains.
Im planning a larger jaunt than usual over the coming bank holidays from my house to West Coast of Wales. Do you know of any good resources to plan a walk route (rights of way and trails, not roads) that would span several OS maps? I'd rather not fork out on the buggers because the scale of map i'd need for the detail would make it an expensive just for this one trip.
Also what food do you usualy take if you dont want to cook? I get rather bored of tins of tuna.
I'll kick off by picking your brains.
Im planning a larger jaunt than usual over the coming bank holidays from my house to West Coast of Wales. Do you know of any good resources to plan a walk route (rights of way and trails, not roads) that would span several OS maps? I'd rather not fork out on the buggers because the scale of map i'd need for the detail would make it an expensive just for this one trip.
Also what food do you usualy take if you dont want to cook? I get rather bored of tins of tuna.
The right scale for walkers is the Explorer map. You might find your local library has some available, or you could contact a local walking/hiking club to see if they can loan you the maps in exchange for a deposit or something. Whilst you could walk without a map by using significant landmarks and places as guides, I'd always recommend having a map on you.
How long is this walk going to be? And will you pass any supplies stores? Why don't you want to cook?
Make sure you have all the right gear and make sure someone knows where you are and what your plans are. Try to contact them on a regular basis as well. That way if something does happen it'll be quicker and easier to get you help.
I don't do much in the way of walking. My shin splints don't appreciate it.
Ouch! Have you tried the gel insoles for boots? Could help a bit with the impact.
Havent heard of Explorer maps before. I'll look into that thanks.
I dont want to cook because I can't be bothered basically :P probably pass through some villages with local shops at some point, so i could have a pasty :D
The Explorer is just a scale of OS map. It's best suited to those doing rambling-type activities.
Having to take the kit with you to cook (unless you make small campfires along the way, but I don't know the rules of those in England and Wales) can be annoying, but if you are going to be doing a lot of walking then you need the sustenance to sustain it. Things like dried fruit can be good for snacks, but they aren't going to fill you up.
Yeah, I've heard of the insoles, but never tried them. I don't really do enough walking to consider it.
May sound like a stupid question but can you read a map? Find your location and work out a bearing?
For rights of way etc check out the BMC website. They have all the information or can point you in the right direction for finding it, they also have some great maps too depending on which area you're going to.
If you're worried about how much the maps cost, plan your route and look at the more complex or demanding sections. I would suggest having a map for each section as they are invaluable tools but you can also print OS maps from their website and create a custom map. I think you need a subscription.
Flapjack, it's great at giving slow releasing energy. Whenever I'm in the hills or even kayaking I have a stash of flapjack. Try making some rather than having shop bought. It's easy to make, you can generally put what ever you want in it e.g. chocolate, seeds, fruit etc.
Generally wild fires are not allowed in England and Wales. This is a grey area but the general rule of thumb is leave no trace of where you have been which generally means no fires as far as I know
Generally wild fires are not allowed in England and Wales. This is a grey area but the general rule of thumb is leave no trace of where you have been which generally means no fires as far as I know
Thanks. The rules for this are very, very different from Scotland, so I wasn't sure.
I'd really need to know how long the walk was, and how long you are planning to take for it, before being able to give more advice on food or anything else. A walk that will take six hours, will be different from one that takes three days. The former you can survive on snacks like fruit and flapjacks, with a decent breakfast and dinner on return. And do you have a water bladder, like a Platypus system or similar? Small sips whilst walking tend to be better (and less disruptive) than having to stop to drink out of a bottle.
It's the same as wild camping I think. In Scotland it is allowed (not sure about fires) but in England and Wales it isn't without authorisation from the land owner. There are areas such as the Lake District National Park which with authorisation you can wild camp but doesn't include fires.
You could take a look on the mlte website or look up plas y brenin,they might have information,also walkingmaps.com i think are ok(might be co.uk ) they have printable os maps.
I would advise you check the weather forecast for the days you plan to be out,have a basic first aid kit,have a detailed planned route(incase of anything going wrong) and the correct clothing/footwear.
I can't think of anything else off the top of my head!
I'm not really an avid outdoor person at the moment but hoping to get into it more. Done day walks/hikes before and hoping to do the South Downs Way in the summer as an introduction to long distance walking. Ideally would love to do a long distance walk in Wales or the Peak district, but the South Downs are close to home so better for a first timer! And not sure about planning routes so going for a main one to make that easier.
Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future
that year by year recedes before us.
It eluded us then, but that's no matter - tomorrow we
will run faster, stretch out our arms further...
And one fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current,
borne back ceaselessly into the past.
You're going to walk from London (?) to the other side of Wales?
You crazy fool, why don't you take a little stove so you can do supernoodles and the like, even if thinking ahead you can't be arsed I'm sure you'll appreciate something hot at the time.
Hexiburners are a really good way of cooking that does not need an actual fire. Also, if you are going for a while get the army ration packs that you can buy from camping shops as these are high in energy and all the stuff that you will be using up. They only need a bit of boiled water.
Kendal mint cake is the best stuff for snacks if you like it and my dad swears by jelly beans as they both provide sugar and stuff for a fast acting burst of energy.
Whilst you are still in the planning stages I would suggest hotting up on your map reading skills and stuff and getting hold of a couple of maps. You might find that a friend has them hanging around or get them from the library or whatever but it is always useful to have a map.
Hope that kinda helps...
The world is just illusion always trying to change me.
You will find wonder wherever you can, and spread joy whenever you are able.
I felt emotions of gentleness and pleasure, that had long appeared dead, divide within me. - Frankenstein.
My replacement crossbow has arrived! 4 days worth of wages. Also i have plenty of wire for snares.
At least now the food crisis is solved. Even if i dont catch anything, i could use the crossbow to rob a burger van.
My replacement crossbow has arrived! 4 days worth of wages. Also i have plenty of wire for snares.
At least now the food crisis is solved. Even if i dont catch anything, i could use the crossbow to rob a burger van.
I hope you're joking about taking a crossbow with you....
If you are planning to hunt for food make sure you read the hunting act and know what's legal, what's in season and so on. Often you need permission from a landowner to hunt in their land
My replacement crossbow has arrived! 4 days worth of wages. Also i have plenty of wire for snares.
At least now the food crisis is solved. Even if i dont catch anything, i could use the crossbow to rob a burger van.
Quote:
Originally Posted by makedamnsure
If you are planning to hunt for food make sure you read the hunting act and know what's legal, what's in season and so on. Often you need permission from a landowner to hunt in their land
You can't hunt any wildlife with a crossbow or bow in the UK and it's been that way for some time. Even if you own the land or have permission from the owner it's still illegal to hunt with a bow/crossbow.
Unless you fancy a spell in prison or a large fine (the RSPCA and League Against Cruel Sports jump on crossbow cases, because they're open and shut easy prosecutions) I'd advise you to stay away from wildlife.
Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money.
They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
