Walking for most people is an unconscious competence – we do it without any thought. It is almost as automatic as breathing, so why does it need to be taught? Can’t any able-bodied person walk without thinking about it? Well, yes, but moving effectively over uneven ground is far from automatic, particularly when there is any danger, real or perceived. Many walkers don’t understand what it is that helps them to move effectively, so when something goes wrong they don’t have the tools to sort out the problem. 

We’ve all had days out in the mountains that haven’t gone as we expected. Sometimes that’s unavoidable, but usually, with a bit of forward planning and a willingness to be flexible, a rewarding day can be almost guaranteed. Here are seven things to think about: