What to bring on a Wessex Adventures guided walk or activity

Guidance below for what to bring on a guided or activity - regular walkers will have a good idea of what they need to bring.

Suggested clothing and equipment - packed in a comfortable rucksack

WEAR/PACK:

  • Comfortable ruck sack
  • Walking boots or sturdy trail shoes - no sandals, soft soled training shoes/urban shoes.
  • Walking trousers or similar.
  • Long sleeved base layer top and/or shirt.
  • Warm hat or sun hat.
  • Gloves
  • Water proof jacket and trousers.
  • Personal first kit and any personal medication you are required to take.

CARRY or WEAR - depending on weather

  • Waterproof jacket and trousers (pack in rucksack anyway even if the weather looks dry) -Extra layer/s which could be a thick fleece or a synthetic or down top or thiner fleece and gilet top. Pack these even in summer months.
  • Warm hat, sun hat and spare gloves. -Suncream & insect repellant.
  • Drinking water - 1.5-2 litres
  • Lunch and snacks - You MUST bring sufficient food for mid morning snack, packed lunch and mid afternoon snack.

Optional extras

  • Flask or stove and bits to make a hot drink.
  • Sit mat
  • Charged mobile phone

Please be aware of the risks associated with ticks when out and about in the countryside

Without being alarmist it is worth taking caution to prevent ticks bites when out and about in the countryside.

External website sites and resources

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

Lyme Disease Action - https://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/about-ticks/

Lyme Disease Action leaflets - https://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/resources/to-download/

British Deer Society - https://bds.org.uk/information-advice/out-about/lyme-disease-ticks/

Read the advice above for lowland walks and activities and then add or amend for mountain and hill conditions. The weather forecast will give an indication of what to expect but it usually always much cooler, wetter and windier at 600-800 metres!

Equipment, clothing and suitability to take part

Everyone taking part MUST be equip for walking across rough mountain and hill terrain and on exposed mountain tops in ALL weather.

You must wear suitable footwear (leather or synthetic full height walking boots), bring/wear a full set of waterproofs (jacket AND trousers even if weather forecast is for fine weather), gaiters, additional warm layer/s (extra fleece or spare top in case of emergency), hat, gloves, spare hat and gloves and if we are lucky a sunhat and sun cream!

You may need to bring insect repellant and it is advisable to pack a small personal first aid kit.

It is always much cooler on the exposed mountain and hill tops than you would expect it to be.

Extra clothing, food and water should be packed into a comfortable day ruck sack that is lined with a water proof bag or rucksack water proof liner.

Phones, wallets and the like should be in a water proof bag inside the rucksack. An orange 'survival bag' is always a great idea in your walking ruck sack as it will provide additional protection should you have to stop for a prolonged period on exposed summits or during very bad weather.

If you normally need or like to use trekking poles then bring those with you as well. Also remember to bring any regular medication and personal first aid kit with plasters, medication, insect bite relief etc.

Food, water and snacks

Bring enough food, snacks, water (around 1.5-2 litres of water) and a flask (if you like a hot drink) for the entire day and some spare 'high-octane' food if you need an end of day boost.

We are out all day and even if we do not walk to far we may not return to the cars until around 17:00-18:00

Start locations

Mountain bike instruction, MTB guided rides, guided walks and NNAS courses start in the New Forest, Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, South Downs and occasionally the surrounding counties of Sussex, Surrey, Somerset and also South Wales. Blue and red route bike park skills can be taught at Queen Elizabeth Country Park (Hampshire). Many of the MTB rides, guided walks and courses are accessible by car from London, Bristol and Swindon.

Navigation courses - Map and compass on foot! - New Forest Navigation

Wessex Adventures - Nigel Parrish - ©2023