Long Distance Walking - Tips and Tricks

[BKGarry]

Hello All,

 

Me and my friends (all from a local Performing Arts Charity, specialising in Drum Corps/Marching Bands etc) are going to be doing a Long Distance Walk at the end of July (Doing the Wealdway Walk from Gravesend to Eastbourne). We are all experienced at doing all day long activities, and a few of us have walked the Darent Valley Path (which is only a day) but this is going to take us about 3 days.

 

Does anyone have any Tips for us, before we set out.

 

We are in the process of getting a Just Giving page for this event, so as a little warning, this will be coming soon.

[HaleStorm]

plenty of pairs of cushioned socks

[BKGarry]

Ah Yes, I need to buy some new ones and break them in a bit

[happymeal]

On a personal note, personal "maintenance" is a biggy. I've seen several people who've been rubbed raw on their chest, and more than a few people have been rubbed/blistered on their neither regions, either because they're hairy or because of ill-fitting undies. Trim, use loose comfortable clothing, and vasaline on the chest areas.

 

Footwear - make sure they're broken in well, tape up the feet or potential hot-spots with zinc oxide tape, and if your not able to grab cushioned socks, wear one or two thin layered ones with a thick sock over the top (friction is then absorbed by those layers).

 

Hydration is a biggy - I tend to have my 1.5l Camelback (other brands available) with some cordial, but a few bottles tucked into the rucksack pockets work just as well.

 

Food - packets of Haribo can quickly give you sugar as well as raise flagging moral.

 

Suncream - if it's sunny and your sweating, your going to burn a bit.

[featured_spectre]

From personal experience, and this WILL sound stupid, but trust me.

 

When in the military, we did a few long distance marches and exercises, and to prevent chafing of the bag, we used maxi pads on our shoulders and everywhere the straps would likely rub on our body. This worked wonders.

 

Also cushioned insoles as your feet will take a proverbial pounding. For the end of the day, have a tennis ball handy and roll your feet over the ball 1 at a time to loosen the tendons, or you could end up with a painful case of plantar fasciitis (believe me, that will stop you from walking).

 

Blister pads, these help for any blisters from chaffing, walking etc. Savlon, for added protection, and finally talc. Lots of talc. Use it on your feet and keep your feet clean and dry.

 

Good luck and enjoy

Edited June 27, 2013 by featured_spectre
fixed spellings

[Chris_Jones]

Well I do long distance walks for fun, so here's some of my obvious and some slightly less obvious tips

 

Get good fitting quality boots - make sure they are suitably broken in prior to the start

Ditto get a decent rucksack that is comfy - you don't want the straps rubbing or chafing against your skin or it will be murderous by day 3

Don't carry anything you do not absolutely need! the maximum all up weight for your kit should be 15Kg, and ideally less than 10.

Remember to take layers off when they are not needed - I often see people in T-shirt + shirt + jumper / fleece + waterproofs, climbing up hills and completely knackering themselves when there is no need! If its not raining or Seriously windy keep the waterproofs off, if its not freezing cold leave the fleece in the bag (if you get cold - walk faster!)

Plan your route before hand, including where you will take breaks / lunch etc. Stick to these timings as much as possible, Groups often take lots of little unplanned breaks during a walk that adds up to extra hours on the hills.

 

Hope that's useful to you

[TechMonkey]

DO NOT drink red bull in large quantities. Acts as laxative, much to a friends horror to find when on a long walk along the South Downs Way. If you know it you will know there is nary a bush to hide behind let alone to squat!

 

May be teaching to suck eggs but eating often rather than when you feel hungry keeps the energy release constant and stops the delay once you realise.

[hardtailstar]

are you staying in hotels or camping?

 

Clothing

 

Boots - well fitting and broken in to be comfortable.

Socks - plenty of pairs

trousers - light weight and if possible ones that zip off to shorts but that's personal preference

tshirt - light weight preferably one that wicks sweat away from the body.

jumper - light weight too

fleece - windproof

wolly hat - in cold

baseball cap - if sunny

 

if wet take some waterproof trousers and coat preferably goretex

 

Bag

 

Water preferable at least 1.5l or more

first aid kit

waterproofs

sun cream

snack of your choice

emergency money of about £10 incase no cash machines about.

Lunch (if not stopping at pub/eating place)

 

that's all I can think that I take at the moment

[happymeal]

Oh - compeed! Compeed will be your friend - pop some on the areas where you usually pick up blisters. And pick clothes made from synthetic fibres - means if they get wet from sweat/rain, they'll dry out a lot faster.

[Hedghog]

As others have said but also do some long days with a pack before hand to get the body use to it. I did the pennine way some years ago (without this wusie carrying of bags from place to place system). I thought I had done enough walking before hand but the first 3 days were hard.