Everest ER - BBC TV.

Ever thought about climbing Everest?

This is a blog post from a long time ago - one that I never published. For some reason. Time now to publish.

Everest - it conjures up the most amazing images in my head, dreams re-awakened of climbing to it's summit, but most of all it's the beauty of the area, the Himalaya, the awe inspiring roof of the world. The one place that won't go away, that won't change in thousands of years - captured in books that line my book shelf. These images, this scene, THAT mountain - Everest.

I've probably climbed it a number of times, beating Kenton Cool in his 4 summit bids, (at time of pubblishing this blog post in June 2011 he has been on the summit of Everest 9 times. Phew!) but, sadly it is always from an armchair - and no doubt once or twice from my sleep. Not quite the same but infinatley safer.

Everest is not a place to be messed with and this was well reflected in the documentary on BBC1 this evening. Everest ER. It was great to see Kenton Cool in it, great to hear about Mountain Madness. The the most amazing thing was the Base Camp hospital - what the programme is all about. There are a number of illnesses that you can get on the mountain and it looks like the Doctors who give up their time to staff this hospital see everything from frost nip to cerebal oedema.

The filming on this documentary is great, the stories of joy, the stories of dissapointment, the sheer bloody mindedness you need to conquer a mountain such as this.

Thinking about what you need to go through to get to the top. The challenges, the misery, the hope, the physical and mental preparedness. I take my hat off to everyone who climbs to the roof of the world and to anyone who climbs their own personal 'Everest'. One day I will, no doubt, be climbing my own.

Beginners Guide to Navigation

Beginners Guide to Navigation.

5 Top Tips to Help with Navigation When Walking.

"Get lost!"  I hear you say, or rather help me not to get lost.

To be honest you don’t really ‘get lost’ when you are out walking. I like to think of it as merely losing my place on the map. Rather like putting your book down, not marking where you are and ‘losing your place’. However, the ramifications of ‘losing your place’ on a map can be quite high.

Here are my five top tips to help with navigation.

Top tip 1: Read the instructions that came with your compass.

Silva, one of the most common makes of compass always put a small instruction manual in with their Silva compasses. They tell you how to use it, following the Silva 1-2-3 system. If you have bought your compass from a retailer ask them for a quick demo on how to use it.

Top Tip 2: Read your map.

A map is full of symbols and if you are a Dan Brown fanatic like me, then you will love reading maps. Symbology at its best. The symbols are translated in the key on the side of the map. Learn as many as you can, especially the ones around the walk you are planning to do. Look out for footpaths, cliffs and anything else that will make your walk interesting, dangerous and show you landmarks.

Top tip 3: Find a place you know and have a practice.

Try setting your map to North. Look for a landmark in the distance and see if you can find it on the map. Set a compass bearing to the landmark using the Silva 1-2-3 system. Work out the route to get there. For example; ‘follow the foot path on such and such a bearing for x km’s. Turn right at the footbridge’. So on and so forth. This is how guide books are often written, but it’s much more fun doing your own.

Top tip 4: Don’t over estimate how quickly you will walk.

How quickly do you walk? Walk a set route that you know the distance of and time it. If you are doing this on the local streets you will walk quicker than in the countryside. In the countryside you will be stopping to admire the view, to check the map, have a drink or snack. Uphill and uneven ground can add time to your walk. Take it easy and enjoy the walk.

Top tip 5: Reward yourself.

Think about what you have just done. You learnt to use a map and compass. You planned a walking route, you walked the route. What do you deserve more than tea and cake in a local cafe or a wonderful roast and a pint in the pub?

Navigation is a vast subject with books dedicated to it. For most simple walks in the local area, knowing the basics is important. If you are doing something more adventurous, learn and practice your navigation before you go.

Time for you to join in!

• What are your top navigation tips?
• What are your thoughts on Navigation?
• Do you use a Garmin GPS or another make?  Will it ever replace a compass... 

Beginners Guide to Walking Gear

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