Hillwalking can be a great way to keep fit and see the countryside but there are some risks attached. So newcomers to the hills need to be wise to the risks and take the necessary precautions:
Ahead of your trek, plan your journey and work out how long it's going to take, and then check the forecast for the day's weather. If bad weather is anticipated then consider a less ambitious walk.
Make sure that you will be finished long before it gets dark. Never walk alone in the hills unless there are lots of walkers near you The remoteness of the hills in bad weather can unnerve even experienced walkers, and lead to some serious mistakes being made.
Join a walking club that offers training in mountain skills for its members, or go on an officially-endorsed mountaineering course. This will make you more confident, and safer, when you go out hillwalking.
Carry a rucksack with spare clothing, a packed lunch, a hot drink, and some sweets for energy. You might also want to take a torch, a first aid kit, and a whistle up there with you in your rucksack.
Be careful about foot placement, as there are plenty of things to trip, slip, or twist your ankle on amidst the mixed terrain of the hills. Be particularly careful when descending steep ground and around streams and rivers.
Try to leave word with a responsible person as to where you will be walking and at what time you expect to be back by.
If you have a serious accident, call the emergency services and ask for Mountain Rescue. If you can't get a signal on your mobile the universally recognised distress signal is six blasts on a whistle or flashes of a light at one-minute intervals.
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