Walking On Ice Safely

In the UK, the closest many of us ever get to ice occurs on a Saturday night on TV. However, watching celebrities dancing on ice doesn't really prepare you for walking on ice safely during a cold winter outdoors.

It has to be said that we're not all that prepared in the UK for snow and ice, but let's face it, we've had so few severe winters that have led to prolonged severe conditions in recent times, that it’s easy to become complacent. When the snow and ice does come, many of us are simply unable to put the weather into the context of our everyday lives - which is understandable - and therefore, even the simplest of things become quite hard, such as walking to the local shop.

Walking on ice safely and knowing how to do it important, so here are a few tips to note down for the next time you'll need to walk on ice.

• First things first - make sure you have good, strong winter snow boots, with sturdy rubber soles. An old trick is to increase the grip of your soles using an old pair of socks - the added friction can help with traction on ice. 

• Check the weather forecasts regularly during cold weather. If there's been any sort of moisture from snow or rain followed by freezing temperatures (especially overnight), it's highly likely that ice will have formed in some places, either on roads or on pavements. 

• Remember, pavements tend not to receive quite the same priority when it comes to laying gritting salt, and therefore, icy patches can be found more readily. 

• Be especially careful again when walking near drains, drainage channels and guttering - these all carry water, and where there's water, the risk of ice forming greatly increases. 

• Be aware of dark, wet looking patches on tarmac - these could quite easily be black ice which is especially dangerous because it catches so many people unawares, often giving the appearance of a puddle of water. 

• Walk slowly, with your feet slightly pointing outwards - bend your knees slightly when walking, so that your centre of gravity is directly over your feet. Doing these three things will help you maintain balance and give you a better chance of walking on ice safely. 

• Never walk on ice with your hands in your pockets. If you do slip and fall, you’ll need your hands to help break your fall. If you hands are susceptible to the cold, then make sure you wear a good thick insulated pair of gloves instead. Gloves will also prevent unnecessary grazing. 

• Finally, always wear a good thick coat - not only will this keep you warm, it could help cushion any falls you might have as a result of slipping on ice. 

Perhaps the most sensible piece of advice is to avoid walking on ice at all unless it is absolutely necessary - but of course, as we all know, this isn’t always possible.

Walking in the Rain and the Snow - Things We Do For Love

Whilst 10cc may not be everyone's cup of tea when it comes to music, and indeed, that statement's only applicable if you can remember them, walking is certainly something that people do for love. And at this time of year, when rain, snow and icy winds can get the better of us, it's time to take some precautions to ensure that they don't.

There are a few vital things that walkers should do to ensure that they remain safe during the winter months and most of them are pure common sense, inexpensive and easy.

Perhaps one of the first things that walkers should do before encountering any significant hiking trip that involves walking in the rain and the snow is to tell someone your route, when you intend to tackle that route and a list of estimated times for arriving at certain checkpoints. That's not to say that you need to stick rigidly to everyone, or provide a step-by-step account of where you'll be at say, 3.37pm exactly. But, it does give some indication of where you should be and if your absence should be of cause for concern.

Clearly, the people you tell may know you and your abilities, and they can factor this into assessing any absence as serious. Factoring in the weather conditions and other knowledge of the area in which you intend to walk could give a more complete picture to the people you tell so that they can decide if there are any potentially serious problems.

It is also important to make sure when walking in the rain and the snow that you have the correct equipment, clothing and supplies. Without waterproofs, spare warm clothing, food (including emergency high energy foods and sweets), a compass, torch and map - you wouldn't even satisfy the basics that are recommended to almost all walkers attempting a significant hike.

And, if you're walking in the rain and the snow - the basics may not even be enough. No-one should be scared of attempting to walk in less than favourable weather, but without the correct equipment, the simplest of walks could turn into a nightmare. Most examples of walkers getting into trouble stem from them being unprepared and underestimating the conditions and the terrain. When walking in the rain and the snow, don't let yourself become part of the statistics. Further in depth practical walking information can be found on the Ramblers Association website.

Hiking News: Going Hiking Every Few Weeks Isn't Enough!

Although many of us have hectic schedules and find it hard to find the time to fit a rigorous hike into our diaries, it seems we should all be making more effort to go hiking according to a top German Professor from the Sport Medicine Institute at Germany's University of Munster. He has recently claimed that hiking "every few weeks just isn't enough". His recommendation? "At least two walks a week lasting between 30 and 45 minutes each are needed to show an improvement in health".

So, what's the best way to do this then? We all know we should exercise for 30 minutes every day, which many simply do not have the time to do, so it is intriguing to hear research stating that we should actually be hiking twice a week. For those that have 9-5 jobs it just isn't going to be that simple, but it certainly gives us something to think about. Perhaps if we were all honest with ourselves, we probably don't exercise as much as we should and it's about time we made more of an effort. Of course, time is always of the essence and it makes it difficult for busy people to try and fit hiking into a hectic schedule.

A recent study by Germany's Hiking Association revealed that almost half of people over 16 in Germany went trekking but it was only the over 60s that did this several times each month. Perhaps even more interesting would be a study on the UK or US, to see if our trekking populations could match that. Many would probably doubt it.

When it comes down to it, if you love the outdoors and you like exercising, there is certainly no reason why you can't make the time to go hiking and keep active. If you start when you are younger then it will also reduce health risks later on in life. Perhaps there are some people that still view hiking as something only the older generations do, but if we can all get into the mind and spirit of hiking for enjoyment as well as fitness, then perhaps more young people would embrace the activity.

If you're an active hiker, we think you deserve a pat on the back. If not, well, simply read this article about the health benefits of hiking to see exactly how important it is: http://www.mamashealth.com/hike

How to Choose Hiking Gifts for Friends

There are thousands of hiking fans all over the world and finding hiking gifts that they will enjoy is something that should be born in mind around Christmas or birthdays. Obviously, hiking boots are the main piece of kit that any keen hiker will have a need for but there are various other hiking gifts that may well tick all of the right boxes as well.

Most pieces of hiking equipment are fairly inexpensive and will last for a considerable amount of time so it is easy to find hiking gifts to match any price range. It's not just hiking boots that will put a smile on a keen hiker's face - various other gifts are likely to be just as well received.

Great Hiking Gift Ideas 
There are many considerations that can be taken into account when it comes to purchasing hiking gifts and most won't cost you and arm and a leg. Hiking equipment comes in many different forms but it often pays to think outside of the box when it comes to picking hiking gifts. Just some ideas to think about include:

Hiking Magazine Subscription - Getting a subscription to a hiking magazine won't cost massive amounts of money and is a great idea for a hiking gift. For anyone who enjoys this pursuit, getting monthly literature about the activity will be extremely rewarding so a hiking magazine subscription is definitely a gift that keeps on giving.

Hiking Apparatus - There is essentially no-end to the amount of hiking equipment which hits the market and heading online will fill you in with the sorts of products which are likely to make good hiking gifts. Things like roll out tables are bits of hiking kit that are incredibly useful but are the type of thing people forget they need - which makes them an ideal hiking gift idea.

Hiking boots, such as the Altitude NT WP Enviro, are ideal for all your light hiking trails and trips and will also make the perfect hiking gift for those who are wanting to push the boat out a little.

Going on Hiking Trips with Man's Best Friend

Hiking trips are enjoyed by thousands of walkers each year across the UK and more and more are deciding to get their four legged friends in on the action - and bringing their dogs along. It is important to make sure that the hiking trail that you choose is suitable for dogs and that you have all the hiking equipment that you require before you set off.

Dogs absolutely love being in the wilderness alongside their masters so it makes perfect sense to take them on hiking trips with you. There are so many sights, sounds and smells that can be enjoyed by you and your hairy companion but making sure that you've got all the hiking boots, clothing and equipment that you'll need in the boot of your car is a must - whether you are just going on a day hike or are planning a few days in the wilderness.

Getting your Dog Ready for a Hike 
Whilst some dogs will take to hiking like a duck to water, excuse the inaccurate animal analogy, it is important that you properly prepare your pet for hiking if it's something that they are not used to. Needless to say, if your dog is of a lazy disposition, you shouldn't endeavour to take him on an extensive hiking trip straight away - dogs are like humans and will need physical conditioning in preparation for hiking trips.

So, start off by taking your four legged friend on a few smaller hikes before working your way up to the more difficult terrains that you want to tackle together. Generally speaking, if you plan on taking your dog on repeated hiking trips and trails, it is probably a good idea to discuss their health with your vet just to make sure that they will be up to facing the rigours associated with hiking activities and trips.

Bringing your dog with you on a hiking adventure will really add to the enjoyment considerably because dogs are in their element in the wilderness and their sense of adventure is likely to open new doors that you may not have otherwise witnessed during your hiking trip.

Of course, dogs won't require any specific hiking equipment but it is imperative that you kit yourself out with a good pair of hiking boots - if only to be able to keep up with your pet pooch! Many hikers swear by the quality of the Hi-Tec Rainer Event hiking boots.

How Many People Choose Music For Walking?

It has long been recognised that playing music during exercise can help concentration and focus the mind on the job in hand. Ever since the Sony Walkman was unleashed on the world in 1979, changing our music listening habits forever, music has become an essential part of individual pursuits such as running, jogging and cycling. What person hasn't seen a jogger with a piece of wire attached to each ear, with an MP3 device clipped on the back of their shorts?

Now walkers and hikers can also take up the habit, and benefit from music for walking. So, here we recommend some artists and composers for three different styles of walking:

Countryside Ambles 
Vaughan Williams, John Denver, Erik Satie, Dire Straits and Cliff Richard: All of these artists and composers have a range of gentle and soft music ideal for the Sunday afternoon countryside amble.

Stiff Hilly Hikes 
Queen, Gustav Holst, Iron Maiden and The Prodigy: If you're going up a mountain or need to cover a few more miles quickly, then this selection will suit you fine - hard and sometimes very fast.

Athletic Power Walking 
Kraftwerk, Wagner, Beethoven and Paul Oakenfold: Get yourself into a trance with the big German composers or some experimental electronic sounds.

On a serious note, it's a proven fact that whilst music in itself doesn't necessarily improve a person's health and fitness, listening to music whilst exercising can help improve the ability to keep to regular fitness routines, be it through music for walking, hiking, running or cycling. Music helps improve concentration levels during physical activity and as a result it can have a dramatic effect indirectly on a person's health.

If you're going walking after reading this, try equipping yourself with some basic equipment; a small MP3 player with a clip and some earphones that won't fall out during your physical exertions. All you then need to do now is choose some music for walking from the artists above - and your away.

Happy Hiking!

The Ramblers - Still Wearing Hiking Boots at 75

Over 75 years ago, if you fancied a walk in an area of natural beauty like the Peak District one sunny afternoon for example, it wasn't the case that you could simply pop your boots on, pack your vittles and saunter off into the dales.


Thanks to the Ramblers Association, formed 75 years ago in 1935, hikers no longer need fear the wrath of the gamekeeper's gun or the lock and key of the local gaoler, which was the case back in those inter-war years. The Ramblers Association or Rambler's as they are now known, has been at the forefront of public accessibility arguments, helping to ensure the UK's 140,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways remain open for the walkers, hikers and families. They are one of the largest charitable organisations in Britain.

To celebrate their organisations continued success and achievements, the Rambler's are holding a succession of Baton Walks, which by the end of 2010 will have crossed the whole of Britain. In August, the baton is being passed by walkers around the East Midlands, and then for the last 4 months through the East of England, London and concluding in the South East. If you're interested, get your hiking boots on and join in!

The Ramblers (http://www.ramblers75.org.uk/) won't rest on their laurels though. They're already campaigning to try and encourage more families to take up walking and put on their hiking boots - sharing information on the benefits of the activity, as well as continuing to campaign for hikers' rights. They're also keen to encourage walking health benefits. One way in which they aim to achieve this is through their extremely popular Get Walking, Keep Walking campaign which highlights the importance to body and mind of natural exercise - not only in places of outstanding natural beauty like the National Parks, but also in inner-city areas like Birmingham, London and Sheffield.

You can also apply for a Get Walking Pack which (although temporarily suspended due to demand) will be available online very soon to help you plan your walking activities and get the most benefit from it, which, together with choosing the right equipment and hiking boots, will give you everything you need to get started.