This is an article intended to help those needing some mountaineering top tips and helpful hits. Some of these tips are also relevant for long mountain days, either running or hiking. I’ll keep adding to this as a resource, I hope they help.
Gloves – when sorting kit or walking into a place where gloves are needed, keep your gloves on the inside of your jacket. When you put them on they will be warm, toasty and ready to go.
Gloves – for walking and basic gloves for climbing, these are brilliant and cheap – Screw Fix Winter Gloves
Rucksack – this is the bag that I use for most things, it’s bombproof and it doesn’t cost the earth. The material is tough, it’s got the right amount of pockets, ice axe loops etc etc – Blueice Rucksack
Boots – when driving for a day out, put your mountaineering boots under the warm blowers of your car. When you get to the start of the route / day out, you’ll have nice warm boots to put on.
Boots – walk around a bit when you first put them on and then adjust them to the correct tightness for the intended activity. Boots always loosen up in the first few hundred meters.
Walking Poles – they do help. Make sure they’re shorter on the up hills, so that the pole pushes you forward. Make them longer on the downhills so that they can take some of the weight when stepping down off higher steps. These are all superb poles at the price – Walking Poles From Alpidex
Feet – Looking after your feet is really important. There are many ways of doing this, good quality socks, keeping your feet dry and so on. Here are some top tips:
- Waterproof socks with trainers are a great combo. The socks have a membrane and I generally find that they stop blisters and keep your feet dry – win win. Lightweight, dry and you’re faster on your feet.
- Talcum powder is a great weapon in the foot maintenance world. It does wonders after a big day on the hill and if you’re running an ultra – try it whilst on a sock change, you’ll love it.
- Changing your socks on big days out is a game changer.
- Blisters – don’t wait till later, fix and repair them quickly.
- Blisters – stop blisters by taping your foot before a big trip or run. I usually tape my little toes before a big run, I also tape my heels before a big mountaineering journey…. Use something really hard wearing, like climbing finger tape. The wider stuff is better – check out this great tape that works really well.
Clothing – always have an extra jacket / warm layer in the bottom of your bag that’s in a waterproof bag. You never know when the temps and weather will change, making sure you have an extra ‘get out of trouble’ layer is a great idea.
Bags – bigger holdall bags are better – fact. Get the biggest one possible and your life will be easier. This is a great bag – Mountain Equipment Big Bag
Bags – having a few zip lock bags to separate items, food, phone, car keys etc etc – it keeps things waterproof and you can see into them. The best ones are from Ikea – check them out here
Crampons – it’s easier to put them on when the crampon is slightly uphill. Try bending one leg, so that you’re kneeling to put the other crampon on. Switch around for the other.
Crampons – spend time adjusting and fitting your crampons indoors. Don’t try and do it on the hill, it will take ages and it’ll get annoying – plus your mountain friends will have walked off.
Crampons – most things can be fixed with a cable tie. Stick a few cable ties in your crampon bag.
Navigation – the Outdoor Active app is superb – https://www.outdooractive.com/en/ – it’s a free GPX software that can be used on your phone. It helps you know your position on the mountain precisely. This knowledge is always worth being backed up with a map and compass.
Navigation – you can plot your route first, see how far it is and how much height gain is involved. Planning a route is far easier at home before getting to the car park and setting off. This is the best planning tool that I’ve used so far – https://www.plotaroute.com/
Navigation – check out these navigation courses – https://ngmountaineering.com/courses/hill-walking-skills/
Fitness – here’s some great tips for long distance walking / hiking and running – https://davetalbot.net/running-your-first-ultra-marathon/
Fitness – if you’re struggling with fitness planning then take a look at some top tips here – https://bit.ly/3t9qAeh
Head Torch – ditch your throw away batteries and get a rechargeable battery to be used all the time – it will save you money and the environment. Carry spare disposable batteries just in case. For normal hill days I just charge my rechargeable battery and just take that, it lasts for ages. These are great for AAA battery packs – Rechargeable Battery Pack
Baseball Caps – are great for many reasons. They keep the sun out of your eyes. If it’s raining, a baseball cap will be a great additional shield when used with the hood of your waterproof jacket. It’s also great for adding a shield over your sunglasses at higher altitudes when the sun is very bright and the UV rays are strong.
Sunglasses – make sure that you have a good pair of sunglasses for high mountain use. I use Jublo sunglasses that have the wrap around sides for extra protection from those harmful rays – https://www.julbo.com/en_gb/sunglasses/mountaineering-mountaineering_1
Water bottles – a standard water bottle in conjunction with a flask is the best bet. Although water bladders seem like a good idea – they leak, you can’t see how much water you’re drinking and therefore you can’t regulate the amount you’re drinking and when it’s cold the exposed pipe will freeze. Simple systems work best. Water bladders are good for mountain biking though 🙂
Gaiters – make sure that the strap that goes under your boot is tight. If it’s snowy and you have a loose gaiter strap, the snow will stick to it, build up and then you won’t be able to put your crampons on. Keep it tight, keep it right.
These are some mountaineering top tips. I’ll keep adding and improving this list as a resource for folk. Happy hill days people.
