Top tips from Julia Bradbury, co-founder of The Outdoor Guide
1. Use a trusted map for walkers
2. Make sure you understand how to use your map and compass
3. Plan according to your ability
4. Stay in touch
Make sure you tell someone where you are planning to hike, and when you expect to arrive back. If you don’t know how long your walk will take yet, time yourself walking a shorter distance. That way you can estimate how long the whole thing will take.
Please also make sure you’re aware of any areas with low or no phone signal. You should be able to call emergency numbers even with no signal. Please remember that Mountain Rescue is already over stretched so only call if it’s a real emergency.
You can also download the app What Three Words. It’s a geolocator app which has assigned every corner of the earth three unique words. You can quote the three words to an emergency responder and they’ll be able to find you.
5. Take a torch
Since you will be starting in the dark, we would encourage you to wear a head torch and take a hand-held torch (phones don’t count!) Robens makes great quality gear tested by outdoors experts and are our preference, but there are other options.
It’s also worth checking what time the sun rises on the 18th of September. That way you can plan to do the easiest parts in the dark and the harder bits when the sun’s up.
If you can, it would be helpful to practice your walk before the real thing, taking mental (or written) notes of obstacles and uneven ground.