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Hill walking
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Mountain leader Libby Peter from Dinorwig tells us why anyone can take up walking in our beautiful countryside - just take things at your own pace.
How did you get started?
I used to go walking with my family and then with my school. I lived in Bristol so we used to go walking in the Black Mountains of south west Wales and the Brecon Beacons.
Where did you go from there?
I did a degree in geography and PE, and as part of that specialised in outdoor pursuits, so I was already heading in that direction from a young age. I also worked in activity centres during the holidays and got into the leading and instructional side of things.
I'm now a mountaineering instructor and an internationally-recognised mountain guide.
There are a number of qualifications for leading groups in the mountains. A Mountain Leader can lead hill walking in the UK and a Mountaineering Instructor can lead mountaineering, climbing and other skills also in the UK. A European Mountain Leader is able to take walking groups abroad and a Mountain Guide can lead climbs and expeditions worldwide.
What clothing and equipment do you need?
Comfort is one of the most important things, but your clothing also has to be appropriate for the weather.
In the summer, you can wear shorts and T-shirts if the weather's fine, but normally you should wear quite lightweight clothes, preferably made out of man-made fibres which dry more quickly than cotton or denim. Several thin layers are better than one thick one for cooler weather.
Footwear is also important. During the summer, it's best to get lightweight walking boots with good ankle support. Your ankles can take a lot of hammering on rough ground and it's important to give them good support. They should be made out of leather or a man-made fabric with a good sole, decent tread and a good square heel profile.
If you're going to walk during the winter than you should get a stiffer winter boot which you can fit crampons onto, suitable for walking in snow and ice.
Waterproofs are usually essential in this country at most times of the year!
What's your most memorable experience?
It would probably be going back-packing in the remote Scottish Highlands. You don't see anyone at all for three days. It's amazing to think that there are still pockets of wilderness in our small country.
Have you got a favourite place?
The Nantlle Ridge walk to Rhyd Ddu. It's a lovely quiet, dramatic walk.
Any other points?
The fitter you are the better! But the great thing is that it doesn't matter if you're not really fit, you just don't walk as far or as quickly.
But you need to be quite fit to be able to walk up some of the biggest hills round here, at about 3,000ft. You've got to be able to walk for about eight hours with a light rucksack on your back.
Hill walking is a fantastic activity. You're out in the beautiful countryside and you can do it socially or by yourself.
It's also something you can do with your family. The other weekend I walked up Snowdon with my little girl who's four and a half, with my ten month old baby in a backpack. It was great fun.
Walking isn't exclusive like some outdoor pursuits. You don't have to be a big thrill seeker, just enjoy walking. There are lots of people like me who do freelance work in north west Wales. You can come and have some training on navigational skills, what to do if the weather gets bad and other useful hill walking skills. You can pick up this as you go along, from trial and error, but it can be good to give yourself a head start.
Just ensure the person training you is either a qualified Mountain Leader or Mountaineering Instructor.
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Chistine Madsen
I walked up Snowdon on my 18th birthday. I am now 60 and still enjoy walking, my sons are with me now and we walk miles. It's free, it is brilliant!
Wed Jun 10 09:09:56 2009
Alwyn Parry, Wellington, New Zealand
I'm thinking of visiting my old home of Caernarfon in a year or so and was intrigued to read your favourite walk is between Nantlle ridge and Rhyd Ddu. As I am now 65 could you let me know how challenging the walk is and how long will it take? Are there guided tours or if you are taking off by yourself which is the best end to start from?
Mon Nov 12 09:58:54 2007
Caitlin Dunn
thank you for your terrific advice, it will come in handy as i am going walking to the extremes next week.
Mon Oct 15 15:46:13 2007
Mike Hargaden
I am planning to complete the Mountain Leadership qualification over the next year or so. I have enjoyed hill walking for years but what got me interested in the ML qualification was attending courses run by the WEA (Workers Education Association) in Liverpool, on the National Navigation Award Scheme. I finished the bronze and silver levels last spring and learnt a lot about mountain craft in addition to navigation skills. I found that despite the practical sessions walking in the country involved in these courses were undemanding I was getting fitter than I have been for years.
I went on to complete the Basic Expedition Leader Award. This was more demanding than the NNAS but helped me get even fitter. The WEA are planning to hold more outdoor courses so you can check their website. Many FE colleges and private training companies provide the NNAS and BELA courses.
Mon Mar 12 09:13:22 2007
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