The risks of walking in winter might be greater, but then again, so are the rewards
By Tristan Kennedy
Of all the Christmas traditions in my family, the most staunchly defended is what’s known as ‘the healthy walk’: a non-negotiable perambulation that takes place in the thin sliver of daylight separating the end of a massive breakfast and the beginning of an even bigger Christmas dinner. I think the origins of the name lie with my late grandmother (who was also fond of ‘healthy’ 5am swims in the English Channel well into her 70s), but it was my parents’ generation who first embraced it at Christmas, working out that a walk was essential before they allowed kids near the dopamine double-whammy of presents and pigs in blankets. Now, as my parents themselves approach their 70s, my siblings and I have taken up the baton enthusiastically.
But hiking in the depths of winter isn’t without its risks. There are times when the healthy walk has felt almost a little too healthy – there’s a fine line between the kind of weather my grandmother would have described as ‘bracing’ and that which will lead to full-blown hypothermia. Getting soaked, suffering frozen fingers and slithering down a muddy bank on your backside are all occupational hazards at Christmas in my family. So far, no-one has ever seriously injured themselves (touch wood), but whatever Michael Bublé might say, the reality of festive-season walking in the UK is always more ‘sodden mudpatch’ than ‘winter wonderland’.
Of course, the risk of being caught out by the elements increases further on longer hikes at this time of year. I’m always amazed that more people don’t do themselves serious damage during ultra-distance winter events. I’m in awe of those (including my sister) who’ve managed to complete things such as the two-day Original Mountain Marathon (which takes place in October), or the 431-kilometre Spine Race, which happens every January. In the end, however, the same principle applies to these epics as to our more genteel Christmas Day excursions: if you get the right gear, you can handle pretty much anything.
For winter hiking, the essentials are basically the same as in summer, except that everything needs to be higher spec. If you want an outer jacket that’ll see off the worst of the British winter weather, you’ll want to make sure it’s got decent waterproof and breathability ratings. Anything rated 10,000/10,000 should do it. You’ll also want to make sure you’ve got a decent down jacket for added warmth. Goose down is great, but if things are going to get wet then you’re better off with Primaloft, the synthetic alternative developed in partnership with the US military in the 1980s.
When it comes to walking boots, make sure you buy a pair with a waterproof membrane built into the boot, rather than relying on spray-on coatings. You’ll also want thicker soles with Land Rover-sized ‘lugs’ on the tread to deal with added mud. Other useful items include a backpack with a waterproof outer, a pair of lightweight waterproof overtrousers that can pack down small enough to fit in said bag and a Thermos flask for tea. It’s also worth investing in a pair of thick, waterproof gloves with removable liners that are thin enough to keep on while operating a phone. Remember, too, that time is of the essence when there are only a few hours of daylight in the day, so a good watch is essential. As is a headtorch, in case you still manage to misjudge your timings and get stuck out after dark.
It’s a wishlist long enough to make even the most dedicated of Santa’s elves sweat, and because of the higher spec needed for winter walking gear, none of it comes cheap. Given the fact that the weather isn’t exactly welcoming at this time of year, you might well be wondering, is it worth it? After all, you could just wait for those few winter days when the weather is perfect – the sun is out and the air is cold but crisp. But at the risk of sounding like my grandmother, I’d argue that if you did, you’d not only be limiting your hikes, you’d be missing out on half the fun of walking in winter.
While I’ve been writing this column, the weather has been pretty unremittingly miserable. But last weekend it opened up just long enough for me and my wife to head out for a long walk. It was by no means a nice day, with the low-hanging cloud grizzling intermittently throughout the afternoon. As we left the house, I felt as if we’d overcompensated somewhat, stuffing extra layers into our backpacks, but we ended up wearing everything we had packed.
And yet, perhaps because we’d been cooped up by heavy rain for so long, simply being outside felt special. The clouds obscured some of the best views, but when the hills did emerge from the mist, they had an air of mystery to them. There were still a few autumn leaves clinging doggedly to the trees, and when they caught the occasional beam of sunlight, the low angle made them glow. Returning home to a hot shower, a cosy fire and a tasty dinner also felt all the more magical. The festive season was still weeks away but, to paraphrase yet another Bublé ‘classic’, it was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. The risks of walking in winter might be greater, but then again, so are the rewards.
Wishlist – Three items that will make winter walks better
The Luxury: Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition Auto watch – £965
Some sort of timepiece is a must-have for winter walks, because the days are so short, but this is a cut above your ordinary watch. Housed in a 37mm stainless-steel case, the Khaki Field Expedition Auto is built tough, with a screw-down crown that will protect the movement in any weather. Founded in Pennsylvania in 1892, Hamilton has an impeccable expedition heritage, having supplied the watch worn by Richard E Byrd, the first pilot ever to reach the North Pole, in 1926. hamiltonwatch.com
Buy from your local Amazon store
The Essential: ThruDark Ithax down jacket – £295
Founded by two former UK Special Forces operatives, ThruDark makes outdoor clothing designed to cope with the harshest environments on Earth. Its Ithax down jacket, available in men’s and women’s cuts, is made from the brand’s own water-repellent ripstop outer fabric and filled with Primaloft silver insulation. The advantage of a synthetic insulation material such as Primaloft over goose down is that it doesn’t clump together when wet, so it would carry on keeping you warm even if you fell in a river (not that we would recommend doing so).
thrudark.com
The Surprisingly Useful: Leki Khumbu Lite walking poles – £85
To people who’ve never given it a go, walking with poles just looks like extra faff. Once you’ve tried it, however, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without. The extra support and balance they give you when climbing or descending is invaluable, especially in winter, when the terrain is likely to be wet and slippery. Leki, a German brand, is the world’s leading pole manufacturer and these Khumbu poles, named after the icefall beneath Mount Everest, are solid, dependable and easy to adjust. leki.co.uk
