Equipment

Ultimately the most important thing that you can
take on to the fells with you is Common Sense.

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For Easy Walks

The easy walks on this site are those which require the least equipment, but there is only one walk featured here where no equipment whatsoever is acceptable.

The short walk down the valley from the car park to the road and back again requires little more than a stout pair of shoes and warm clothing. In other words, little more than you would wear for a walk in the park on a winter's day. All the other easy walks require additional "kit".

What to wear

The amount of clothing that you wear, and equipment that you carry, will be dictated by the prevailing weather on the day that you take your walk. The rule is to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. For low level walks the most important thing is to wear clothes that provide protection from the rain and wind, and also insulate from the cold by retaining warm air close to the skin. They should be strong but light and permit ease of movement without restriction. Modern fabrics allow the clothes to "breathe" to allow perspiration to escape. Generally speaking, lots of layers of thin clothing are preferable to one layer of thick clothing. Layers can be removed, should you get hot, and light clothing is easily carried.

Boots

Stout boots should be worn. The ground underfoot is often rocky and uneven. Stout boots will provide protection for the ankles, be relativley waterproof and enable you to cover any type of terrain, whether it be a rocky footpath, muddy pasture or tarmac lane. A good pair of boots need not be expensive. Comfort is your number one priority, and they should also be as light as possible. Bear in mind that many experienced fellwalkers have a light pair of boots for the low level walks, and a more expensive, harder wearing pair for mountain trekking.

Break them in slowly by wearing them for a few hours each day. Never try to do a full day's walking in a brand new pair of boots. Wet boots should not be dried too quickly by placing them close to a fire or heater. Dry them slowly and keep them in shape by stuffing them with old newspapers.

What Equipment to Carry?

Even on fairly straightforward walks everyone should carry some, if not all, of the basic items listed below. However, you should be aware not to burden yourself with stuff you are never going to need. Again, the weather and time of year will dictate your choices.

Items marked in red are those which you should always carry, whatever the weather.

Gloves, hat and limited spare clothing.
Food and drink.
Map and guide book or walk plan.
First aid kit.
Compass.
Torch, spare batteries and spare bulb.
Whistle.
Piece of rope or cord.
A ball point pen that works, together with a small note pad or folded sheet of paper.
A fully charged mobile ‘phone (for emergency use only).
A small roll or bundle of toilet or tissue paper.

If you are in a group it is best for everyone to carry their own equipment, so that they are not reliant on others and remain adequately equipped if separated. Except for those items that are constantly in use, everything should be carried in a rucksack, which should be approximately the right size for the items that you are taking, have easily adjustable straps for comfort and not be too heavy for you to carry.

Very few rucksacks are totally waterproof, whatever it says on the label. Wrap anything which must stay dry in a separate plastic bag. If the back of the rucksack isn’t padded it may be painful to carry. A piece of foam rubber or karrimat makes a useful packing and will double as a seat.

For Moderate Walks

Note that most of the deaths that occur on the Lakeland Fells each year do so on fells that come into this category. Don't take the fells, or the conditions for granted.

The moderate walks on this site require a reasonable range of good quality equipment, even when the weather is fine and there are plenty of people about. Your number one priority is to keep yourself safe. You can't do that if your equipment is in the car or at the hotel.

What to wear

The amount of clothing that you wear, and equipment that you carry, will be dictated by the season. Clearly you need to be better equipped to stave off the effects of a biting east wind during February than you would on a warm day in July. However, the weather in the Langdale Valley can change rapidly and the temperature drops as you climb, so the rule is to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.

You need to wear clothes that provide protection from the rain and wind, and also insulate from the cold by retaining warm air close to the skin. They should be strong but light and permit ease of movement without restriction. Modern fabrics allow the clothes to "breathe" to allow perspiration to escape. Generally speaking, lots of layers of thin clothing are preferable to one layer of thick clothing. Layers can be removed, should you get hot, and light clothing is easily carried.

Walking jackets should be large enough to be put on over your clothes, and long enough to easily cover the hips. An ample hood, map pocket and long sleeves which are draught-proof at the wrists are probably the most important features to look for. Bear in mind that many waterproof jackets are not actually 100% waterproof in all conditions. Over trousers should be baggy enough to permit you to lift your knees up high and also enable you to put them on over your boots. Knee length zips are handy for this.

Boots

Stout boots should always be worn. A good pair of should have a composition rubber sole designed use over rocky ground, adequate ankle support and, above all, be comfortable to wear.They should also be as light as possible.

Break them in slowly by wearing them for a few hours each day, or by trying a couple of the shorter, low level walks in the area. Never try to do a full day's walking in a brand new pair of boots. Wet boots should not be dried too quickly by placing them close to a fire or heater. Dry them slowly and keep them in shape by stuffing them with old newspapers.

What Equipment to Carry?

Gloves, hat and limited spare clothing.
Food and drink.
Map and guide book or walk plan.
First aid kit.
Compass.
Torch, spare batteries and spare bulb.
Whistle.
Piece of rope or cord.
A ball point pen that works, together with a small note pad or folded sheet of paper.
A fully charged mobile ‘phone (for emergency use only).
A small roll or bundle of toilet or tissue paper.
Polythene bag, adult size, 500 gauge, for emergency shelter.

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For High Adventure

You will be going up a mountain. You won't be that far from civilisation, this is not the Himalayas, but you will be remote enough to be in mortal danger should something go wrong.

On the fell tops the weather is very different to that on the valley floor. It can be up to 10 degrees colder, the wind is stronger, and there may be a wind chill factor to take into account. North facing slopes may harbour snow and ice long after the daffodils have bloomed in the valley. Respect for the mountains includes having a healthy regard for the conditions that you are likely to face.

What to wear

Even in summer you need to wear clothes that provide protection from the rain and wind, and also insulate from the cold by retaining warm air close to the skin. Generally speaking, lots of layers of thin clothing are preferable to one layer of thick clothing. Layers can be added as you climb, or removed, should you get hot, and light clothing is easily carried. You will need to carry more spare clothes than for lower level walks, but avoid overdoing it. Experience is your greatest guide in this respect.. All your clothes, and especially those spare items that you are going to carry, should be strong but light and permit ease of movement without restriction. Modern fabrics allow the clothes to "breathe" to allow perspiration to escape.

A good quality, waterproof walking jackets is essential. It should be large enough to be put on over your clothes, and long enough to easily cover the hips. An ample hood, map pocket and long sleeves which are draught-proof at the wrists are probably the most important features to look for. Bear in mind that many waterproof jackets are not actually 100% waterproof in all conditions. Over trousers should be baggy enough to permit you to lift your knees up high and also enable you to put them on over your boots. Knee length zips are handy for this. Good quality, long, thick socks are also essential. They help insulate the feet and legs and can cushion the feet against rubbing and chaffing caused by walking for long periods over rocky ground.

A hat is also essential. You don't have ot wear it all the time, but bear in mind that large amounts of body heat are lost through the head. The old farmers around these parts will tell you that if you want to keep your feet warm, wear a hat!

Boots

Good quality stout boots should always be worn. A good pair of should have a composition rubber sole designed use over rocky ground, adequate ankle support and, above all, be comfortable to wear.They should also be as light as possible.

What Equipment to Carry?

Most of the items listed below are essential in most conditions.

Gloves, hat and spare clothing.
Food and as much water as you can reasonably carry.
Emergency, high energy rations, such as high energy bars or similar.
Map and guide book or walk plan. These should either be waterproof, or able to be waterproofed.
First aid kit.
Compass and, if available, sattelite navigation equipment.
Torch, spare batteries and spare bulb.
Whistle.
Piece of rope or cord.
A ball point pen that works, together with a small note pad or folded sheet of paper.
A fully charged mobile ‘phone (for emergency use only).
A small roll or bundle of toilet or tissue paper.
Polythene bag, adult size, 500 gauge, for emergency shelter.
Walking pole.

In Winter an Ice Axe and Crampons may also be necessary. If there is visible snow on the mountain tops there will be ice, and even the best walking boots can become useless in sheet ice conditions.

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