After spending a very wet, very windy weekend running a Mountain Skills 2 for Doolin Coast Guard, followed by a very cold, windy two days running a Mountain Skills 1 for trainee instructors from Kinsale it got me thinking about the little tricks and tips I use for staying as comfortable as possible in bad conditions.
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Have a compact & tidy backpack, with no flapping straps. No backpack is waterproof so have a waterproof liner or thick bin bag to keep your bag's contents dry.
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Have the correct equipment to be prepared for most eventualities.
Click here to read more about equipment: http://tinyurl.com/ydundg2
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Pack your backpack in the correct order of what you'll need over the day; so spare fleece on top, lunch in the middle & first aid kit at the bottom. That way you're not rummaging through your bag, in wind & rain, pulling things out to get to the bottom of your bag for something that you need.
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Before you leave your house in the morning fold your map to the area you're going to & have it already in a map case, if you use one. That way you're not on the side of a hill trying to fold a paper map in the wind.
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To stay dry you need your waterproofs zipped right up. To have them zipped right up you need to get your layers underneath right, so you don't overheat. You want to be a little chilly when you leave your car, as once you start moving you'll warm up.
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Have a chocolate bar or snack in one of your pockets so at any stage over the day you can have a quick snack without stopping. Also have map & compass in your pockets ready for use at any stage.
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You'll stay warmer over the day, especially when you stop, if you keep your layers tucked into your trousers & keep all of your zips, including pocket zips, zipped up. Control your body heat over the day by using these zips. It's a good idea as a general rule to always keep pockets zipped up, which prevents you ever loosing anything, such as phone, map or car keys.
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When you start your walk look ahead & if you think you'll need hat & gloves shortly put them in your pockets in advance so you don't need to stop & go into your backpack in 20 mins.
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Over the day do a steady & slow pace, which allows you to keep going all day with just a few short breaks. It also keeps your energy levels higher & lowers your rate of perspiration. The more you perspire the colder you'll be when you stop & the more energy your body uses to dry out your damp clothing.
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Keep your coat bottom, trouser ends and sleeve cuffs closed tightly to prevent wind & rain driving into them.
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When you do stop to eat and drink turn your back to the wind & rain. Try not to sit down or lean against rocks or hillside, as any contact your body has with the hillside is drawing your body heat outwards. Damp will also seep in through your waterproofs if you have contact with the ground or rocks. Also if you're wearing gloves avoid touching rocks as damp will seep in through your gloves.
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Neck gaiters are great for extra neck & face warmth.
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Do your best to keep your feet dry over the day, so even if your boots are very waterproof, avoid splashing through puddles & bog holes. Gaiters are useful for really wet days. If you wear gaiters pull your waterproof trousers over your gaiters.
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Don't put anything down as it can blow away so easily. If your map or gloves have just blown away then you could be in difficulty.
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Bring sunglasses or ski goggles, so if you have to look ahead & navigate through driving rain or hail, which can sometimes be painful, you can put on your sunglasses and navigate.
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These are things that we cover in Mountain Skills Courses.
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Have you any more tips? Please leave a comment below...
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Dont be put off hill walking during the winter. Some of my best days in the mountains have been during winter time! Just be prepared.
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