Bear in mind, please, that we hiked in September and the temperature was in the upper 50's, low 60's, ideal for walking. Walkers in early spring have encountered snow which would be a challenge we were not prepared to face.
Maps: the Steadman book is great on the micro details ("go through two kissing gates, keep the creek on your left until the lone tree") and the Harvey strip maps provide some necessary overview. That combination plus a compass will get you through.
For those who want to make their own reservations, be aware that there are certain spots along the trail where lodging is scarce and book those first. That includes, notably, The Lion Inn at Blakey and Intake Farm at Little Beck if those are places where you want to spend the night.
I've never seen this mentioned on what-to-take lists, and there may be legal and medical objections, but I suggest that if you have access to a strong pain reliever, (something like Percocet ) that you carry a few tablets. If, heaven forbid, you did break an ankle miles from help, you'd be glad you had it along.
We washed clothes in the sink every night and dried them on the radiator in our room or on those nifty heated towel racks. These things turn on according to a mysterious, random schedule, but quick-dry sports wear, wrapped in a towel and wrung out, will dry in an hour.
Layers are, of course, the way to go but keep in mind you're going to be stuck with whatever your base layer is so you may want to keep it relatively light. You can always add a jacket but that way you can strip down to a Tshirt, say, if you get hot climbing.
So saying, in retrospect all I really needed was:
- 3 quick-dry shirts
- 2 pairs quick-dry pants
- (Some guys inexplicably prefer shorts.)
- I also had footless tights ($2 @Target) as an extra, base layer.
- Underwear. ( Guys pay a lot for quick dry underwear at REI, women can get quick drying stuff at Target for cheap. )
- 3 or 4 pairs quality hiking socks
- Some kind of head gear, buff/hat or both
- 2 wool sweaters or light fleece tops
- Warm jacket.
- Rain gear (!!) top and bottom.
- Boots.
- Extra pair of shoes, as a break from boots.
- Gaiters (?) not everyone wears them, but will protect yr boots and pants and give you strength to face the bogs.
- A rain cover for your pack and/or ziplock bags for everything you carry in your pack (especially electronics,)
- Meds, and blister treatments
- (Camera, Phone, a notebook, books, iPad, plug adaptors and chargers)
- Personal cosmetics
- A flashlight.
- A daypack
** For the record, my walking partner, an obstinate guy who knows his own mind and is impervious to advice, hiked the whole way in low cut, waterproof trail shoes with the nylon socks he wears to work, his regular (cotton) Docker type pants and T-shirts. He did take along a pair of old boots just in case. In the end, the Salvation Army of Scotland obligingly accepted them as a donation.
Plan on carrying food. We didn't eat a lot during the day but carried cheese, crackers, nuts, chocolate and water. Many days there is nowhere to buy food en route. The lunches packed by B&B people vary greatly and we preferred our own supplies.
Plan on carrying food. We didn't eat a lot during the day but carried cheese, crackers, nuts, chocolate and water. Many days there is nowhere to buy food en route. The lunches packed by B&B people vary greatly and we preferred our own supplies.
Maps: the Steadman book is great on the micro details ("go through two kissing gates, keep the creek on your left until the lone tree") and the Harvey strip maps provide some necessary overview. That combination plus a compass will get you through.
British hikers tend to have the OS grid maps which are fantastic. If I lived in the UK and walked a lot, I'd invest in them too. (I'd also get the see-through pouch made for carrying them that hangs from a lanyard around your neck for quick, water-proof reference)
Consult other walkers! Those with the OS maps and even the GPS equipped were often interested in the level of detail provided by Steadman, and we needless to say, we appreciated their input.
For those who want to make their own reservations, be aware that there are certain spots along the trail where lodging is scarce and book those first. That includes, notably, The Lion Inn at Blakey and Intake Farm at Little Beck if those are places where you want to spend the night.
We made our own arrangements and usually found ourselves staying at the same places as people who used a service, and in some instances, at places I considered preferable.
Many people believe you should carry at least a bivy sack in case you're hurt or lost and have to spend the night in the open. I've thought a lot about how likely that scenario actually is.
We did meet a young Italian guy who was hiking alone and camping and got completely lost in the Lake District. He was navigating by cell phone and couldn't get a signal. He ended up trying to bushwhack his way down off the fells in the rain. He could have gotten hurt and no one would have known. It was getting dark and he admitted he was quite frightened (despite the fact that he was carrying camping gear.) Hiking alone carries a certain risk.
We did meet a young Italian guy who was hiking alone and camping and got completely lost in the Lake District. He was navigating by cell phone and couldn't get a signal. He ended up trying to bushwhack his way down off the fells in the rain. He could have gotten hurt and no one would have known. It was getting dark and he admitted he was quite frightened (despite the fact that he was carrying camping gear.) Hiking alone carries a certain risk.
I've never seen this mentioned on what-to-take lists, and there may be legal and medical objections, but I suggest that if you have access to a strong pain reliever, (something like Percocet ) that you carry a few tablets. If, heaven forbid, you did break an ankle miles from help, you'd be glad you had it along.
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