Kit
What you need for a weekend trip. We will run a gear trip before the first trip for you to pick up any items you need (and often manage to negotiate a club discount). Feel free to ask the gear officer or any of the exec for help and advice. Most of us like little better than talking about kit!Boots
Decent, well fitting boots are important, considering you're going to be walking about for a good number of hours each day on your feet. You will need your OWN pair of boots for club trips.
Waterproofs
These range is prices from £10 to a few hundred pounds - so you may want to give this a bit of thought. Look for things like breathability, cut and waterproofness obviously. These are also essential in windy conditions.
The club does own a couple of waterproofs if you don't have any but they are strongly recommended.
Waterproof Trousers
You will require a pair for club trips as when it really chucks it down and it's freezing cold they'll stop your legs falling off. When you wear them is a very personal thing. Some people wear them all day long, others only when it rains, and others only when the weather gets extremely Welsh.
Rucksack
This should be large enough to hold all the stuff you'll need for a day's walking. This includes items such as waterproofs, extra layers, lunch and water. You will want to keep your stuff inside your bag dry, as most bags aren't waterproof you'll need to use a liner to put inside your bag. A bin bag will do though you can get longer lasting liners pretty cheaply.
Clothing
Wicking tops, t-shirts, shorts, fleece jackets, jumpers - whatever does the job for the conditions you're expecting - and the ones you're not. For cold or wet weather cotton is not effective so we recommend a wool or synthetic base-layer.
Trousers
NOT JEANS!! They dry too slowly and you can get very cold very quickly with them wet. Walking trousers or leggings are fine. Though if you wear a pair of Ronhills people might laugh.
Socks
Together with your boots, these must help look after your feet. If they can wick away sweat, keep your feet warm and help stop blisters they'll be good. You may like to wear two pairs of socks if you get blisters - this minimizes the rubbing on your foot.
Hat
Some sort of insulating hat is very good. Up to 80% of the heat lost from your body escapes through your head, therefore keep it in with a woolly hat or Buff.
Gloves
Hands cool down quickly so either put your hands in your pockets or wear some gloves. If it's going to be wet you might like two pairs in case one gets wet.
Food
It's often better to eat little bits regularly rather than have one big lunch stop. So think about splitting your lunch up - cut sandwiches in half, buy two mini mars bars rather than one big one etc. Obviously food is a very personal thing, and you'll get an idea of what works for you over time - bear in mind though you will probably burn off more energy when doing a days Hillwalking rather than sitting in lectures.
If you fancy making your own food then take a look at the recipes section.
Water Bottle
Whistle
If you get lost or die - blow the whistle and people will come and help. Hopefully. 6 whistle blasts is the international distress signal - not just what you do at a techno hardcore super happy rave. Then wait for a minute and repeat. A reply uses 3 blasts and waits a minute.