What?

Boots

Decent, well fitting boots are important, considering you're going to be walking about for a good number of hours each day on your feet. You will need your OWN pair of boots for club trips.

Waterproofs

These range is prices from £10 to a few hundred pounds - so you may want to give this a bit of thought. Look for things like breathability, cut and waterproofness obviously. These are also essential in windy conditions.

The club does own a couple of waterproofs if you don't have any but they are strongly reccomended.

Waterproof Trousers

You will require a pair for club trips as when it really chucks it down and it's freezing cold they'll stop your legs falling off. When you wear them is a very personal thing. Some people wear them all day long, others only when it rains, and others only when the weather gets extremely Welsh.

Rucksack

This should be large enough to hold all the stuff you'll need for a day's walking. This includes items such as waterproofs, extra layers, lunch and water. You will want to keep your stuff inside your bag dry, as most bags aren't waterproof you'll need to use a liner to put inside your bag. A bin bag will do though you can get longer lasting liners pretty cheaply.

Clothing

Wicking tops, t-shirts, shorts, fleece jackets, jumpers - whatever does the job for the conditions you're expecting - and the ones you're not.

Trousers

NOT JEANS!! They dry too slowly and you can get very cold very quickly with them wet. Walking trousers or leggings are fine. Though if you wear a pair of Ronhills people might laugh.

Socks

Together with your boots, these must help look after your feet. If they can wick away sweat, keep your feet warm and help stop blisters they'll be good. You may like to wear two pairs of socks if you get blisters - this minimises the rubbing on your foot.

Hat

Some sort of insulating hat is very good. Up to 80% of the heat lost from your body escapes through your head, therefore keep it in with a wooly hat, Buff or a pair of upise down legs.

You can buy both hats and Buffs from our merchandise officer.

Gloves

Hands cool down quickly so either put your hands in your pockets or wear some gloves. If it's going to be wet you might like two pairs in case one gets wet.

Food

It's often better to eat little bits regularly rather than have one big lunch stop. So think about splitting your lunch up - cut sandwiches in half, buy two mini mars bars rather than one big one etc. Obviously food is a very personal thing, and you'll get an idea of what works for you over time - bear in mind though you will probably burn off more energy when doing a days Hillwalking rather than sitting in lectures.
If you fancy making your own food then take a look at the recipes section.

Water Bottle

1.5 to 2 litres is usually enough for a day. A thermos flask is nice if you like a hot drink when sitting in a puddle, in the wind, only halfway up the b*st*rd mountain. It will make you happy.

Whistle

If you get lost or die - blow the whistle and people will come and help. Hopefully. 6 whistle blasts is the international distress signal - not just what you do at a techno hardcore super happy rave.

Recipes

Since several people ask about these fairly regularly I thought I woul put them up here for all to see, hopefully it will also encourage you all to bring lots of delicious goodies on trips with you.

Flapjack

Ingredients: Margarine 8oz/230g Sugar - 3oz/170g Salt - 1/2 tea spoon Golden Syrup - 8 table spoons (10oz/280g) Rolled Oats - 16oz/450g

If you are feeling adventurous or are called Arran you can add random nuts/choclate/meat

Procedure: Mix everything together thourghly Dispense mixture into baking tray (preferably one with sides) Cook in oven for 30-40 minutes at 335°F/160°C/Gas Mark 3

Malt Bread

Ingredients: All Bran (the cereal) - 1 pint Sultanas - 1 pint Sugar - 1 pint Milk - 1 pint Self Raising Flour - 1 pint

These quantities are for 2 loaf tins, if you only have 1 then just do 1/2 pint of everything instead.

Procedure: Mix the All Bran, Sultanas, Sugar and Milk in one bowl Leave to soak for at least 4 hours, preferably over night Mix the Self Raising Flour in with the rest Pour into greased loaf tins Bake for 1 hour at 375°F/190°C/Gas Mark 5 Test with a knife

Testing: if you poke a knife into the cake and it comes out with cake stuck to it then it needs to cook longer, if it comes out pretty much clean then the cake is ready.

Chewy Cake

Ingredients: Margarine - 6oz/170g Sultanas/Mixed Fruit - 8oz/230g Self Raising Flour (preferably wholemeal) - 6oz/170g Brown Sugar - 8oz/230g Rolled Oats - 2oz/60g 1 Egg Pinch Salt Spice (Cinamon works well) Procedure Melt everything together Put in Tray (a fairly deep one is best) Bake for 40 minutes at 300°F/150°C/Gas Mark 2 Test with a knife

Testing: if you poke a knife into the cake and it comes out with cake stuck to it then it needs to cook longer, if it comes out pretty much clean then the cake is ready.