Anyone here into it and can offer advice?

What kind of advice do you need mate?

Firstly, how old are you? That has a bearing on the type of people you will want to go walking with as it can range from teenagersa to the retired and people generally stick with their own age group.

I'm a bit pushed for timethis evening but I will post again tomorrow if you give a bit more info.

Have a look on here to find hiking groups. There's a hiking & cycling one and there's a young people's one, think it's for under 30's

http://www.meetup.com/

http://www.leaney.org/

Search that on here and there should be a thread on it.

I'm 40 mate but a young 40 even if i say so myself. That said im not against youngsters or older people lol but i know where you're coming from.

Done the usual online research and there is plenty of groups around me here in Heywood and i will get out with them over the coming weeks.

Was wondering if fellow blues get away walking and if so, where and when and would they be against me tagging along and learning the ropes so to speak.

-- Thu Oct 13, 2011 6:42 pm --



Cheers mate

I would suggest going on a few walks to find out your level of 'Hill Fitness'. It's not the same kind of fit that you can get in a gym or through cycling or jogging, though they can help.

I would also advise learning to use a map and compass properly.

Once you are hill fit and can navigate, go explore.

I progressed from hill walking to alpine mountainering and rock climbing and I've been to some fantastic places. You build up confidence with experience and these days I go out on the peaks and on the welsh hills in all weathers and I'm looking forward to bigger adventures in Scotland and Switzerland soon It's a great occupation. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice mate.

There are quite a few on here that either still go climbing or like myself used to participate, sadly I haven't been on a decent walk in about four r five years now, but as has been said, get used to the map and compass, idealy on localish hills round where you live, learn the different features on a map and what they look like on the ground (and what advantages they can bring to you if required, even like a decent spot for lunch out of the wind), get the proper equipmant (though it doesn't all have to be top of the range, make sure your waterproof is waterproof, your trousers are rip resistant etc and your boots FIT (wear a pair of thick socks when trying them on...
I would use the next few months just on localish smallish walks and then in the spring think about a weekend in the lake district or somewhere similar, and the views and fresh clean air are amazing (as is the pub grub when you get back to a decent level :-)

You need boots...good boots.

Actually, staff at outdoor equipment centres are usually really helpful and know their stuff, because peoples safety can depend on them. So perhaps you could go have a chat with some of them.

Although you'll probably come out considerably poorer.

plenty of books with routes in local libraries

get some and buy some OS maps and a good pair of boots and get out there walking

Good point. Some shops do a wear and return policy which is really useful. Take the boots home and wear them around the house for awhile -if they don't feel right take them back! Modern boots don't 'break in' like older ones used to. If they don't fit new, they aren't going to get much better over time.

I'd go for a full or part leather boot over gortex/fabric everytime. Unless you're desert trekking the breathability isn't worth it and they will start letting water in after a few months.