Inside Jordans

Winter Walking Tips

Posted by Rachel Marston 05 Jan 2010 5:01pm

There has long been a tradition in our household to go for a bracing winter walk on Boxing Day, and any other day we can fit it in. The freezing mornings we have had lately will certainly serve to wake you up and the countryside is beautiful with a dusting of frost. The photo above is Mia on a walk in her village before Christmas; she assures me she wasn't just sledging. Here are some top walking tips which will help you enjoy your wander through a winter wonderland. (Please take care in slippery conditions, we would be very upset if you hurt yourself while out walking).

- Invest in thermals and don't forget to tuck them in. You might not win any fashion awards but there's nothing better than a warm and snuggly base layer.

- If you are going on a very long walk and planing to stay over night somewhere, take newspaper with you just in case your boots get wet. Scrunching the paper up and stuffing it into your boots before you go to bed will help them dry out before morning.

- Freezing legs? Invest in leg warmers and pretend you are in Fame.

- Block out the wind chill on your ears by investing in a hat with ear flaps/tassles, or perhaps a pair of ear muffs. Fleece lined is all the better.

- You use up even more energy walking when in the cold, so take the walker's favourite of Kendal Mint cake or a cereal bar, Absolute Nut should do the trick when you need an energy kick.

- Wear fingerless gloves on their own or under normal gloves. They help to keep your hands cosy whilst still being able to do those pernickety things that are impossible when wearing gloves.

- For fear of rain, or even snow, make sure you wrap everything in plastic bags and tuck them into your day sack. These can also be used as outershoes to stop your feet getting wet should you have to cross an unexpected stream.

Happy Walking!

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