Mountain walking is a wonderful way to connect with nature and also to develop your mental and physical strength and stamina. Whether you are taking on a big challenge such as the Aonach Eagach ridge hike, or just want to get the most out of your holiday in the Highlands, it can help to do some tactical preparation.
This means not only ensuring you are physically fit enough to tackle a mountain walk, but also that you have some basic technical and tactical skills to back this up. Here are some simple strategies to help you stride out on the mountains with confidence.
Keep a training diary
If you are planning a big walk, then you are probably starting to step up your fitness with some shorter walks and maybe some strength and cardio training. A training diary can help to provide you with not just a record of the amount and type and training you are doing, but can also help you to identify any weaknesses and flaws in your plan.
For example, you can review your diary to check if you are being consistent in your training, with adequate rest days but no gaps of a week or more when you are not doing any training. You can also use it to reflect on your feelings about how the training is progressing, and any factors that might be causing you to feel low on energy or more stressed out than usual.
You may even want to use a digital app for recording your heart rate, sleep quality, distance walked, recovery times, and so on. Make a note how your body feels and your mental and emotional state after each training session to help you understand when you are ready to push further and when it’s time to cut some slack.
Get your kit shipshape
The right gear is crucial to a successful hike, and it’s also important to ensure you are comfortable with using it before setting off on a long walk. Gather all the kit you will need to carry in your backpack, including food, drink, spare clothing, safety equipment and so on, and ensure that you can carry the weight over long distances.
You should also wear in new boots on shorter walks to make sure that they fit you well and deal with any rubbing or blisters. You may find that new boots will give you blisters initially, but as they wear into your shape they will become more comfortable.
Work on your navigation skills
Even if you are going to be walking in a group, it’s still important to understand the basics of navigation. Learn how to use a compass to take basic bearings and spend some time studying ordnance survey maps to understand the contour lines, which give an indication of the steepness of the terrain.
Digital navigation tools are useful, but don’t rely on them solely without physical backup because they may not always work, or they may be lost or damaged.
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