Long - Hillwalking: the official handbook of the Mountain Training walking schemes

hillwalking

The official handbook of the Mountain Training walking schemes

REVISED EDITION

third

hillwalking

The official handbook of the Mountain Training walking schemes

Written by Steve Long with contributions from Plas y Brenin staff

hillwalking

Copyright 2014The Mountain Training Trust Published by Mountain Training UKwww.mountain-training.org All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanised, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems without the written permission of the publisher. First printed 20032nd Revised Edition printed 2004Reprinted 2005, 2008, 2011 3rd Revised Edition printed 2014 ISBN 978 0 9541511 9 5 (Paperback)978 0 9930337 0 4 (eBook) Cover photo: Heading towards Llyn Idwal and Gribin Facet on a Mountain Skills course in Snowdonia by Bryn Williams Designed, typeset and illustrated by Vertebrate Graphics, Sheffield www.v-graphics.co.uk This product includes mapping data licensed from Ordnance Survey with the permission of the Controller of Her Majestys Stationery Office. Copyright . All rights reserved. Licence reference 100040262 This product contains maps reproduced with the permission of Harvey, 1216 Main Street, Doune FK16 6BJ.www.harveymaps.co.uk This ebook edition has been created using CircularFLO from Circular Software.

The official handbook of the Mountain Training walking schemes

While every attempt has been made to ensure that the instructions in this book cover the subject safely and in full detail, the authors and publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any accident, injury, loss or damage sustained while following any of the techniques described.

Hillwalking

Contents

Author's acknowledgements xEditors note xiiIntroduction xiiiThe appeal of hill walking xiiiGaining proficiency xiiiAbout this book xivLearning to lead xvi Part 1Getting around in the hills 11Movement skills & route finding 31.1Movement skills 41.2Individual factors 41.2.1Posture 41Teaching movement skills 51.2.2Pace 61.3Footwear 81.4Route finding 81.4.1Planning 82Efficient movement for 9the group1.4.2Route finding from 10 the map1.4.3Route finding in the 11 hills and mountains1.4.4Visibility 133Group abilities 16 2Navigational tools 172.1Maps 182.1.1Choosing the right map 192.1.2Map scales 212.1.3Signs and symbols 222.1.4Contours 224Symbols 232.1.5Other topographical 23 symbols2.1.6The grid system 242.1.7Grid references 262.1.8Digital mapping 27 software2.1.9Types of products 292.1.10Planning and 30 reviewing2.1.11Scanned maps 322.2The compass 322.2.1Choosing a compass 322.2.2Care and 35 maintenance2.2.3Grid North, 35 Magnetic North and True North2.2.4Magnetic variation 365Taking a compass bearing 372.3Global Positioning 38 Systems: GPS2.3.1Accuracy 402.3.2Using GPS on the 40 mountain2.3.3Satellite geometry 422.3.4Reflected signals 422.3.5Blocking 422.3.6Antennae 422.3.7Choosing the right 43 GPS2.3.8The electronic 44 compass2.3.9Power 452.3.10Setting up GPS 462.3.11Before setting off 472.4Altimeters 472.5Torches 496Darkness 502.5.1Eyesight and vision 50 considerations 3Navigation techniques 533.1Relating the map and the 54 land to each other3.1.1Setting the map 543.1.2Setting the map 55 using features

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7Teaching group members 55to set the map3.1.3Setting the map 56 using a compass3.2Gathering information 563.3Following linear features 583.4Contour interpretation 583.4.1The basics 603.4.2Reading between 63 the lines8Teaching contour 63interpretation3.5Distance judgement 643.5.1Measuring distance 643.6Timing 653.6.1Timing ascent 663.6.2Timing descent 673.7Pacing 673.8Choosing the right 70 techniques9Pacing and timing 713.9Judging direction 723.9.1Transit points 723.9.2Using a compass 723.9.3Following a bearing 7410Walking on a bearing 763.9.4Back-bearings 773.9.5Slope aspect 77 and shape3.9.6Aiming off 783.9.7Boxing 793.9.8Attack points 803.10 Navigational strategy 803.10.1The 5 Ds 803.10.2Breaking a route 81 into sections3.11 Relocation 813.11.1Calm down! 823.11.2Gather information 823.11.3Mapping 853.11.4Resection 853.11.5Plan of action 863.11.6Searches 863.11.7Sweep search 863.11.8Outriggers 873.11.9Other searches 893.12 Navigating with GPS 89 in the mountains3.12.1Using waypoints 903.12.2Choosing waypoints 913.12.3Navigating to 91 waypoints3.12.4Using the route 93 function3.12.5Using track-log 93 function3.12.6Dealing with 94 problems 4Clothing and equipment 954.1Physiology 964.1.1Increased 96 respiration rate4.1.2Increased heart rate 974.1.3Increased body 97 temperature4.1.4Increased 97 perspiration4.2What to wear 994.2.1The layering system 994.2.2Jackets 1044.2.3Over-trousers 1054.2.4Gaiters 1064.3Keeping a secure 106 footing: boots11Boots for groups 10712Boots for leaders 1084.3.1Boot construction 1094.4Protecting extremities: 110 hats and gloves4.5What to carry 111 group equipment4.5.1Food and drink 1114.5.2Dealing with cold 112 conditions4.5.3Dealing with 113 sunshine4.5.4First aid provision 113

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4.5.5Rope 1144.5.6Shelter 1154.5.7Spares and repairs 1164.6Containers 1174.6.1The rucksack 1174.6.2Packing a rucksack 1184.6.3Other containers 11813A suggested kit checklist 119 5Living in the mountains 1215.1Food and drink 12214Over-nighting 1235.1.1Meeting special 123 dietary requirements15Young groups 1245.1.2Drink 1245.2Hostels and huts 1255.3Camping 1255.3.1Cooking 12616At the campsite 1275.3.2Hygiene and safety 1295.3.3Comfort 1295.3.4Tents 1305.3.5Sleeping bags 1335.3.6Insulating mats 1335.3.7Bivouac bags 1345.4Emergency nights out 135 Part 2The upland 137 environment6Where can we go? 1396.1Interested parties 1406.2The legal framework 1406.2.1England and Wales 1406.2.2Scotland 1426.2.3Ireland 1436.3Getting on with our 145 neighbours 6.4Information sources 145 7Protecting it for the future 1477.1The balance of forces 1487.2The impact of people 150 on the uplands 7.2.1Paths 1507.2.2Footpath repairs 1517.2.3Cairns 1527.2.4Wildness 1537.3Habitat protection and 154 recreational needs 7.4Sanitation issues 1547.4.1Washing 155 8Understanding the 157 environment 8.1Ecosystems 1588.2Natural history for all 159 9The weather 1639.1The weathers impact 164 on walkers9.1.1Wind speed and 164 direction9.1.2Temperature 1649.1.3Precipitation 1649.1.4Visibility 1649.1.5The future 1649.2Weather forecasts 1649.2.1Internet 1659.2.2Television 1659.2.3Telephone/fax 1659.2.4Newspaper 1659.2.5Posted bulletins 1669.2.6Radio 1669.3Understanding weather 1669.3.1The atmosphere 1669.3.2Areas of different 166 temperature9.3.3Areas of different 167 pressure9.4Creating wind, cloud 167 and rain 9.4.1Weather systems 1689.4.2Convection 1719.4.3Mountain weather 171 (orographic lifting)9.5Weather maps 1739.5.1Winds 173

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9.5.2Analysing weather 173 maps9.5.3Moving air masses 1749.6Localised weather 1759.6.1Funnel effect 1759.6.2Banner clouds 1759.6.3Fog, frost and 176 inversions 9.7Making the best of 176 the weather 9.7.1Recognising the 176 development of bad weather 9.8Problem weather 1779.8.1Heat waves 1779.8.2Strong winds 1779.8.3Precipitation 1799.8.4Summer storms 179 Part 3Party management 18110Planning to look 183 after people10.1The party 18410.1.1Prior knowledge 18410.1.2Individual factors 18410.1.3Party size 18510.1.4Equipment 18610.1.5Specialised 186 equipment10.1.6Fitness 18710.1.7Aspirations 18810.2Aims 18810.3Terrain 18810.4The route plan 18910.4.1Route cards and 189 tracings10.5Leadership 19210.5.1Communication 19210.5.2Decision making 19317Communication for 194 leaders10.6The law 19610.6.1Legal liability 19618Position of the leader 197 within the party10.6.2Practical 197 considerations19Party members with 198 sensory impairments10.6.3Party members 198 with a disability10.6.4Party members 199 hearing impairment10.6.5Party members 199 visual impairment20Remote supervision 20010.6.6Negligence 20121Leaders, negligence 202 and the law10.6.7Leadership roles 203 for people with disabilities10.6.8Leadership roles 204 for people with medical conditions 11Hazards & risk management 20511.1Risk assessment 20611.2A practical risk 207 management system11.1.1Categorising hazards 20811.1.2A central contact 21022Hazards and the leader 211 12Specific hazards 21312.1Steep ground 21412.2Spotting 21512.3Emergency rope-work 21612.3.1Choosing a rope 21612.3.2Storing the rope 21712.3.3Using the rope 21812.3.4Attaching the rope 21912.3.5Confidence roping 220 12.3.6Belaying 22212.3.7Anchors 22712.3.8Direct belays 231 12.3.9Diagonal progress 232