Walkhighlands

Hi Folks,

Me and my mate have decided to tackle all 284 munros, starting a week on Sunday. We are both completely new to this, are 38 years old, and semi-fit.

before we start, can you offer some advice on the following -

An easy (ish) start, which Munroe should we start with, not too far from where we live (Erskine).(PS we have both done Ben Lomond some time ago)
What footwear should I invest in?
Any other considerations that you think would be essential?

Thanks, JC

PS Great site!!

Hi Je
Welcome and great for you to start hillwalking, it's never too late!
First thing I'd reccommend before steeping foot on the hills is to learn some basic navigation skills. I see so many folk out on the hills in trouble, I used to be in Mountain Rescue too and a great many call outs stem from poor or no navigation knowledge.
Try Ben Lawers for a relitively easy start.
Have a great 'lifetime' of walking in the hills!
ps There's more to the Scottish Highlands than Munros

Hi jc welcome to the site ,the arocher alps are all fairly close to you to be starting on . Map reading and using a compass is a requirement as far as I'm concerned and decent waterproof clothing ,as far as boots its a very personal thing but go to a shop where they will make sure they fit you properly best of luck sure there will be a lot more advice to follow

Hello and welcome,I just started the munros a year ago and my first one was Schiehallion which is fairly straight forward,I also got myself a copy of walking the munros published by cicerone,there are 2 volumes,volume 1 covers south,central & western highlands,it's my wee munro bible. As for boots thats a personal choice,i've got a pair of brashers and they do me fine,but you have to take into consideration winter climbing where you will also need crampons,something I could have done with a couple of times early in the year,remember not all boots are compatible with crampons.Of course map & compass are essential,I also take a basic GPS that I got for £80,not everyones choice but I never go without it,anyway enjoy yourself whatever you decide and I'm sure we will be reading many of your walk reports soon

Just a quick correction to the previous comment that 'not all boots are suitable for crampons' - you can fit flexible crampons to most proper walking boots (can't remember the grade they are given though) - any outdoor shop will be able to advise though... Just don't let them bend your boots repeatedly to see how bendy they are - a new pair of mine got ruined like that by an over-zealous salesman in an outdoor shop in Keswick!

What you really need is a heavy blunt instrument to bludgeon your mate to death with so you can devour his flesh when trapped in a bothy in a snowstorm. That and good thick woolly socks, they make all the difference.

Hello and welcome...

There are several great threads in the general section on boots, navigation and essential equipment - worth reading... Compass, map, whistle, torch, emergency bag/space blanket, hat & gloves, water bottle, emergency food. That's with me pretty much year round, and I just add extras according to conditions.

Don't stint on the boots - less than £100 will be marginal in my opinion and £140 more like it - buy only from a "real" hillwalking shop and spend TIME wearing them stomping round the shop...

Really would advise that you invest in quality clothing/waterproofs - again from a dedicated outdoor shop. The good makes really do last better, work better, and fit/feel better too! Remember to think in layers...

Rory.

One might almost believe that Myth had shares in one or all of the High Street retailers...
You don't have to spend hundreds of pounds; cheap stuff works well too, just remember it has limitations, check the weather reports and take action accordingly, i.e. don't go if it's crap weather! I use boots which cost less than £60, some use stuff from army surplus shops (I used to, and did my best stuff using it). Fleeces are cheap these days, a fleece and waterproof are a good combo. Cheap trousers are available from Primark for a tenner; they're going to get muddy and torn so you may as well get cheap ones, you're not going on a fashion parade! At least, some of us are not...

Caberfeidh wrote:One might almost believe that Myth had shares in one or all of the High Street retailers.....

LOL - yeah, I can see that - but not High Street. My favourite "chain" has two shops on Deeside... and my second only one in Aviemore. Although of course I love the coffee and buns in my local TOE. Wifie favours a chain - but then they carry her favourite brand...

I have however been let down hard by some rubbish masquerading as technical gear... and they tend to fail right when you need them most. A rucksack, some boot and a two piece breathable lightweight jacket/trousers spring to mind.

I've found the few (!) good pieces of kit I've bought are still with me and get picked up more often, and last better - one over 20 years service, and just passed onto my son (who is now more like the size I was then).

Thanks for the advice, first Munro (and walk of any kind away from the golf course) completed on Saturday - Schiehallion. Rerport will follow on another thread. cheers