Equipment

You should be appropriately dressed and equipped for the walk.

The clothing and equipment required for a hill walk will clearly depend upon the nature of the walk, time of year and prevailing weather conditions.

In general, clothing should be loose fitting and comfortable. The ‘layer principle’ is the usual way of providing warmth whilst retaining the flexibility required in the Scottish climate. Air trapped between the layers and within the fibres of the cloth provides insulation.

The following items should always be carried as personal equipment:

• Spare clothing (type and amount will depend upon conditions);

• Hat;

• Gloves;

• Waterproof jacket and trousers;

• First aid kit. This should include basic first aid materials and items such as midge protection and sun cream when appropriate;

• Map and compass -see above;

• Torch with spare bulb batteries;

• Whistle for summoning help in an emergency;

• Bivvy bag or personal shelter for keeping warm and dry in an emergency.

In addition an adequate supply of food and drink, including some emergency rations, should also be carried. Whilst it is always wise to carry a mobile phone for use in an emergency it cannot be relied on for communications in the hills as there is often no reception.

Specialist equipment such as ropes, ice axes and crampons will not generally be required on programmed outings.

You should walk with the group and, at all times, maintain an awareness of other members of the group and their needs.

Club outings are group activities. Some outings may split into sub-groups but if you have chosen to be part of a group, you should be in a position to communicate with other members of the group at all times. The group should accept a responsibility to look after each other. If someone becomes unwell or starts to struggle for some reason, support will be needed. This cannot be given if the group is spread out over a few hundred metres and the people at the front are not aware of what is happening at the rear of the group. Likewise, if someone wanders off from the route being followed, and is out of sight of the group, help will not be available if it is needed.