Click on map for other
Groups in Highland area
Highland Area home page
About the Ramblers
Join Ramblers
|
NOTES ON WALKS
SAFETY: New
members are requested not to attempt walks outwith their
capabilities. While safety is always our first consideration,
the Ramblers Association and its agents take no responsibility
for any loss or injury incurred during their activities. When
signing in on the Register, you should give an emergency contact
number, not necessarily your own.
It is essential for safety reasons that members of a group do
not allow themselves to become separated from the rest of the
party and, in particular, that walkers do not go ahead of the
leader, however fast they may feel themselves to be capable of
walking.
WEATHER: In
cases of inclement weather, the decision whether to proceed or
not will be made by the leader. Where possible, alternative
walks will be arranged, but it must be appreciated that such
changes are made and arranged at very short notice.
MAPS: Maps
used are in the OS Landranger Series (1:50 000) or the Explorer
Series (1:25 000).
CLOTHING:
You are advised to be prepared for all kinds of weather
conditions regardless of the time of year. Boots are advisable
for the majority of walks. Waterproof jackets and trousers are
essential in winter and much more comfortable if made of a
breathable material. Several light layers of clothing are better
than one heavy one; they allow more flexibility. Breeches or
trousers of modern synthetic materials are ideal. Avoid jeans,
which when wet are extremely uncomfortable and take a long time
to dry. Keep a hat and gloves in your rucksack, preferably
waterproof, and, particularly in snow, dark glasses.
FOOD AND DRINK:
It is advisable to have a hot drink and adequate food,
especially on winter walks.
DOGS: If
you wish to bring a dog on a walk, it is important that you
check with the leader in advance. Owners should arrange to
transport their dogs in their own cars.
MEMBERSHIP:
New members are always welcome. Membership is not necessary for
up to three walks, but thereafter walkers will be expected to
join the Association.
LEADERS:
The Leader's decision will be final on all matters concerning
their walks. Your leaders make a considerable input in planning,
pre-walking and organising the programme. Please do nothing to
undermine their authority and, in particular, if you have any
comment to make regarding the conduct of the walk, do make it in
private. It is the responsibility of each Walk Leader to
carry a First Aid Kit.
CARS:
Because parking is frequently limited, please share transport as
much as possible. It is customary for passengers to make a
contribution to the driver & we have just amended our suggested
petrol contributions to take account of the ever rising prices
in 2008. To keep things simple, if you get into someone's car,
please give the driver £2 per passenger for trips within the
Badenoch & Strathspey Area. For our infrequent trips outside
the Strath we suggest £3 per passenger. This may be a bit 'hit
or miss' but it saves checking mileages and awkward calculations
and will generally even out over time. This is not a rule, so
drivers should not be offended if someone forgets. On the other
hand, drivers should not confuse passengers by modestly refusing
payment. (For insurance purposes these contributions are
donations & not a charge of any kind.)
B&S WALKS GRADING SYSTEM
Please note that these are the gradings the
Badenoch & Strathspey Group uses on its posters and on the walks
programmes that goes out to members. The gradings on the RA
Walks Finders database use a nationwide system intended to be
meaningful to people from other parts of Britain.
|
A |
Suitable for fit and experienced hill-walkers.
Long mountain days with lots of ascent and descent over rough terrain, some
of it steep. |
|
A+ |
indicates a grade at the top end of this category
requiring scrambling experience, a good head for heights and the ability to cope
with sustained traverses over very rugged and demanding terrain. |
|
B |
Suitable for regular walkers, fit novices or anyone
who takes regular aerobic exercise. Mixture of paths, tracks and rough terrain
with some steeper gradients in places. |
|
B+ |
indicates a grade at the top end of this category
because of longer sections of rough terrain and/or steeper gradients. |
|
C |
Suitable for walkers with average fitness, limited
experience, or anyone wanting to walk at an easy pace. Mainly on paths and tracks
with easy gradients. |
|
C+ |
indicates a grade at the top end of this
category because of some short sections of rougher terrain or steeper gradients
(but not both together). |
Please be aware that grades can only ever be a guide to the standard of the
walk and if you are in any doubt as to your own personal fitness for any
particular walk, please do 'phone the leader to check - remembering not
to leave this until the evening before the walk - they may not be at home!
Updated 20th June 2008
|
|
|
