Hello,
I plan on hiking the Pennine Way in the UK – it’s a 270-mile hike up the backbone of England. I am looking for any advice you can offer regarding equipment/anything else you think I´ll need.
The problem is I live in Brazil and have never hiked before.
From info gathered over the net, I can see the terrain is harsh and will most probably be raining for the duration. Slate paths and marshland/bogs. It can also get foggy and wondering off track is par for the course.
It will take 17 days, averaging 15 miles a day with one day off for rest. There is a luggage transport service that will take my case or whatever to the next bed and breakfast so I won’t be carrying all that much. ( or will I?)
I have posted on other forums asking people but the responses are a bit vague – you guys seem to be much more specific/experienced ALSO I will be stopping off in Miami for a week before going over and can BUY a lot of stuff in the US –
At the moment I have nothing purchased and am open-minded to your suggestions.

Your thoughts on equipment from the feet up?

I have no advice, but I do have a request. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> A picture or two after it's over would be very interesting...

I think you should take a bunch of short hikes first. Starting with a 17 day hike is just asking for trouble. 15 miles a day isn't too agressive, but if you're inexperienced it should be worked up to. At the very least, you need some miles to let your feet and hiking boots adapt to each other, and if they don't you need to get different boots. Rather painful if you find out you've got the wrong boots 4 days into the middle of nowhere! Same goes for the rest of your gear. If you can't take some break-in hikes, make sure you at least have a few "outs" in the trip in case things aren't going as planned.

If it's a trail where it's easy to get lost, I would suggest a GPS. You don't need to keep it on all the time, just turn it on every once in awhile for a few minutes to get a fix when you're not absolutely sure where you are. But if you want to bring along enough batteries for the trip, it's nice to see a track log and use it to measure your speed and distance.

IMHO: don't !

now, it all depends on a lot of factors I don't know anything about : your age, your physical shape, and so on ..
You say you have never hiked before .... 15 miles a day on a non flat terrain is quite a lot for a non sportive type...
But OTOH if you are a marathon runner ..... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ... it's a piece of cake !

Anyway, even if you're in a great physical shape, I second Goatrider warnings : your brand new equippment (especially, but not only, shoes...) do need some "training" before such a hike !

As others have said, start hiking now to be in shape for the big event. It sounds fun.

Make sure to avoid cotton clothing, if possible. Non-cotton clothing will dry much faster if wet. Cotton takes forever to dry.

With your gear, make sure you have a repair kit with needle & thread, safety pins, etc.

I'd suggest you carry a daypack that has an integral water bladder (like a camelbak) that carries at least two quarts/day. Inside that, besides the water, the list of gear should include:

<>First aid kit, including blister gear (moleskin, duck tape, needle, antibacterial cream, small packet of handwipes)
<>Rain Gear - poncho or breathable rain suit
<>Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak, supplimented with: mini-Bic lighter, Ritter Photon Freedom light, & Micropur tablets
<>Ritter full size or mini RSK - GREAT knife!!! Consider whether you'll need a can opener
<>Extra clothing to match minimum temperatures
<>Nalgene polybottle (the whiteish plastic), 1 quart widemouth - though your primary water is in the bladder, take a supplimental bottle along in case of bladder problems - you can fill the bottle with gear if space is needed.
<>Trail food - something that won't get messy
<>Sun protection - wide-brimmed hat w/ neckstrap, sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen
<>Good compass - take a look at the Suunto M-3 with the Global needle - keep in mind that a compass with a standard needle will not work correctly in both Brazil and England.
<>Very good map of the hiking area - know how to use it with your compass. Mark your map with UTM coordincate grids.
<>Consider a GPS - my choice would be a Garmin Geko 201. My favorite related book is "GPS Land Navigation" by Michael Ferguson. The how to buy section is a bit dated, but the how-to descriptions are excellent. Learn how to use UTM coordinates. Bring extra batteries.
<>Insect Repellent w/ 25-50% DEET
<>Toilet paper roll stowed in plastic bag
<>2 Large Trash Bags - all sorts of uses, including picking up trash
<>Extra pair of wool hiking socks
<>Extra pair of non-cotton hiking sock liners
<>2 Bandannas, preferably brightly colored
<>Polycord or Paracord, 50 feet
<>LED Headlamp w/ extra batteries
<>Small camera w/ lots of film or lots of memory cards & batteries
<>Small binoculars
<>Heavy duty Space Blanket - many uses, but especially useful for sitting on when the ground is wet
<>Hiking Staff - consider a bamboo martial arts staff w/ an added rubber boot on one end - contact a local instructor for a source. They are strong, lightweight, and cheap.

If you were off-trail I might suggest a small shovel for digging cat holes, but I'll guess toilet facilities are provided on the trail.

Go get very good hiking boots (I prefer leather over Gortex/nylon), put some good waterproofing on them, and start ramping up your practice miles now!!

Great idea to train and get the boots -- that could have been murder
Any preference for these boots considering the wet/rain/bogs? and gaitors?
looking at Vasquez boots right now. i picked up that rubbing alcohol/spirit on the feet one week before can harden them up and make them less prone to blisters. - Camera, of course - I~ll bore you when I get back
<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I am going agree with Frenchy 100%. From what little info that was provided this is a VERY ambitious feat. With that out of the way I am going to make a few assumptions and say; you are in good health, the trail is marked very well, there will be a lot of other people on the trail, and you have little to no experience outdoors. If all of these are true you about 25% there. You will really need to do a lot of homework on clothing and foot wear, foot wear, foot wear! I did a 65 mile hike this past summer and developed big blisters on my heals the first day and that wasn't the hardest part.
I would follow the advice of everyone else and do some test hikes 2-3 days with the foot wear you chose to hike in and approximately the weight you will carry. Also you should be prepared to improvise on the trail because no matter how much you prepare there is always something you will forget or never thought of.
That?s my 2 cents and good luck it sounds like a lot of fun!
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
P.S. Pics and some commentary would be much appreciated.

Go to your local shop that sells high quality backpacking gear. Try on lots of boots to see which ones feel good. Different brands have different shapes and fits. Once you find one that feels comfortable, have them fit the boots to you. If you feel pressure or some part of the boot poking you, don't uy it. Make sure you wear the same wood socks and liners that you'll were.

There should be very little movement. Also, try to push your foot far forward inside them (sometimes you can "hang" your foot off of a step) - your toes should not touch the front of the boot.

Though nylon boots with integral Gortex socks are popular, I've read a lot of complaints that they will eventually leak. I tend to prefer 100% leather boots with a good waterproofing treatment.

For gators, go with Gortex.

A'men to the Full Leather boot!

Thanks for the endorsement. Please note that since he'll be entering Britain, not the world's most knife friendly country, :-( he should tighten down the pivot screw to the point that it will not open without pulling it open. British customs has prove to be very difficult over that and Aeromedix now tightens down the pivots on all RSK MkIs going put of the country. Once in country you can loosen the pivot back to where it belongs. I would also caution you not to wear it or any knife openly or to go flicking it open in public. When I visited Britain this year I just carried a SAK to avoid any agro and problems. Of course, never was stopped for customs inspection either time. <shrug>

What an adventure you will have! I truly envy you!

Regards, Vince

Excellent point. I was wondering about that after I'd made the recommendation. Of course make sure all blades are in checked-in luggage and not on your person when flying. I would think the "tightened" mini-RSK would be OK in customs, but you can't go too wrong with a good SAK.

If it helps, the pivot screw is a Torx T10. The clip screws are Torx T6.

Also don't forget that the Ritter PSP has a scalpel blade, hooks, pins ... in it. The PSP should be packed in checked luggage too.

The Bic lighter can't go on the plane - buy a lighter locally.

It's illegal in England to have any knife, regardless of size, in a public place unless you have an excuse ("I'm a chef--see the corkscrew").

> It's illegal in England to have any knife, regardless of size, in a public place unless you have an excuse

No excuse is needed to carry a penknife, which is defined as a non-locking folding knife with a blade shorter than 3 inches. Alas, even the mini-RSK is not a penknife because its blade locks, and the full sized RSK is also too big. "Hiking" may or may not be an acceptable excuse.

What would you be planning to cut with it? I am not familar with the route, but I wouldn't rely on being able to cut wood for camp fires. I gather you can walk it staying entirely in hotels and Bed&Breakfast places. In Britain you are rarely more than a few hours walk from civilisation.

Edit: in fact I see now that fire-lighting is forbidden on this route.

There are several online resources, eg:
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/PennineWay
http://www.thepennineway.co.uk/
http://www.jbutler.org.uk/e2e/pw/index.shtml

> Very good map of the hiking area - know how to use it with your compass. Mark your map with
> UTM coordincate grids.

In the UK you should use the British Ordnance Survey Grid - OSGB. Don't buy a map which doesn't have it already marked. Most maps are published by the OS or derived from their data. You can buy online.

I wondered about that too as I wrote my response, but I haven't traveled outside the U.S. since I've had my GPS (should have brought it to Taiwan once, but didn't). Thanks for the correction.

Here is a very good link to information on the British coordinate system:

http://www.gps.gov.uk/guide1.asp

It appears to work similarly to the UTM grid system.

Is there a "standard" source of UK maps - something similar to the USGS in the US?

I'm going to join with the chorus recommending that you don't do this; in fact, I'm really surprised everyone hasn't said this to you.

The most important part of being "equipped to survive" is knowing what you're doing. It doesn't sound reasonable or realistic to attempt a long arduous hike in poor weather if you've never gone hiking before.

There's some good advice above. I'll add that hiking is not simply walking. Good hiking has a lot of technique and that makes all the difference between having fun and being miserable. You need to learn how to dress, how to layer your clothing, how to "break in" your feet as well as your boots, and you need to slowly work your way up from short day hikes to being able to tackle 17 days of arduous terrain in poor weather.

There are many books you can read and Backpacker magazine usually has good info, but there's is no substitute for doing it yourself!

> Is there a "standard" source of UK maps - something similar to the USGS in the US?

The Ordnance Survey. My previous post has a link to their website with more info.
This page has something of their history and their relationship with the government.

Thanks! Do you know what coordinate system is used in the rest of Europe? I'm thinking specifically of France and Germany, since my company has offices in those countries.

I'm afraid I don't know.

I think I'd stay in Miami and go to the beach.

Hi...I'm going to be taking a walking holiday in England as well, the length of Hadrian's Wall, about 84 miles, not quite as adventurous as your trip but I'll be turning 60 and hiking by myself, so this will be adventure enough for me. If you have never hiked before, I agree with others, that the Pennine Way may be a bit much. Start practicing now. I'm using a tour company to schlep my luggage, too. They provide a list of equipment they believe is necessary and equipment which would be nice to have. I bet your tour company does as well. And they will most likely give you advice on all manner of things if you ask. I would trust their judgement since they are probably located near the area you'll be hiking and most of them are also hikers. Have a great trip. Tuli

http://slackpacker.com/ ; http://www.thepennineway.co.uk/

You have probably gone into overload with the advice you've gathered, but it you can take a little more from a guy with walking experience in the UK, Australia and NZ...
Work on these base principles....

* The weather in the UK, especially in hill country, is lousy; ie cold, windy and wet. You don't say what time of year you will be hiking, but it doesn't much matter. Prepare for the worst and enjoy the best. If you are walking the Pennines in late Autumn, Winter, you will run into seriously hypothermic conditions.

* The British make extremely good foul weather gear, and general outdoors kit for the above reasons. I would not buy gear that does not have to be 'run in' until I got to the U.K.

* Your feet are your best friends.. pamper them on the trip. Most boots you will buy today are lightweight which is OK as long as they provide good ankle support and sole cushioning. Do not confuse 'walking' boots with 'climbing' boots with fancy Italian names. Do NOT break in new boots on the walk itself. Too late.
* If you are not sure, get your feet examined by a reputable podiatrist. Many of us have varying degrees of flat feet. You may have time to get personalised inserts for your boots. If you do, make sure you buy new boots to fit inserts...
* Walking in Britain is a relatively civilised affair. You are never very far from other people. Get the appropriate Ordnance maps and use a compass.

* You will suffer from an over-burden of gear and gadgets and general junk, unless very careful. Spread out what you would like to take.... and then halve it.. you will be glad you did.

* From your rough plan I would say you are trying for too much distance in too short a time. Not enough time for smelling the roses, taking a day off here and there IF the weather is nice.
* Ease into the walk... no matter how fit, you still need 'time in the saddle'; give your body time to adjust to boots, pack; you can punch the kilometres out later in the trip, if you want to...

Hope this helps.. safe trekking...!!!

Not long ago, I read a post in another thread, -explaining that the Pennines or a similar range, -are similar to Wyoming's Bighorns, (or was it another such Wyoming range?). With the exception of comparative altitudes, -as such post did mention.

Before my posting presently, -I looked thruout *this* thread, -to see if this was where I've previously seen it. It is not. But if you can find it, -that may be a good post / thread to read as well.

Also, -I'd advise Pre-Practice hikes, -as others here have also advised. Especially for a complete, self admitted "Newbie" at it, -as you. I'm sure Sir Edmund Hillary first climbed many Appalachian / Pennine type mountains, -long before he ever attempted tackling the Himalayas. Just as say Key West's "Mt Trashmore" to Everest is not advised, -Neither is Zero Hiking to 15 miles a day over some two weeks, -as you're talking of. That said, -I *Do Not* mean to sound as if you were a complete "No Nothing Newbie Novice"!

I've read that many of your native, nearby, (unless you're in Manaus or somewhere!), Brazilian mountains, -have quite lousy weather as well! Such as the higher, Mountainous and Plateau areas of your Minas Gerais Province. I'm sure that this would also apply to many other Serras in the Southeast of your Country. Being that you're Brazilian, -Get some good Pre-Practice Hiking in, in such nearby areas!

In this regard, -I've often read of Hiking Info and Trails, -in the Lonely Planet series of Travel Books, -including their one on Brasil. Especially in your Country's Great National Parks. Some of these of course are quite close to places like Rio.

One doesn't think of lousy Paramo type weather and Brazil in the same thought, -but the general elevations of places like Minas, -much of the year, -are a lot like that! Get some Experience with that! *Then* go off to Merry, Jolly Old England!

Also, -there is, -or was, -at least one other Brazilian here, -by the name of Pict.Try reaching him for some further Advice. Pict, -if you will come to see this, -Try reaching Gord here as well.

And to the one in this thread who recommended Miami for it's Beach, -Brazilians "Already have Enuff of that" <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ! Thats, as you know, -as Central to the Brazilian Lifestyle, -as Carnaval and Soccer! One could just as well stay in Brasil for that!

At least the Pennines are Markedly Different, -if many of your own Serras are Surprisingly Much the Same!

(For the Benefit of most *Non*-Brazilians here, -"Serra" = "Mountain(s) And "Paramo" (Spanish) = the Most Miserable of Scottish and Irish Highlands / Heath and Heather Lands! ). [color:"black"] [/color] [email]gordonstoun[/email]

I've done the penine way and the best advice is not to do it. it's no fun. there are many better walks in the british isles. if you are going to give it a go anyway; good idea is to do it north to south the first few days are the hardest when going northwards.
oh and i'ts illegal to carry any locking blade in england.

You didn't say if this was an organized hike (there are many companies in the UK that set up hiking vacations for tourists) or a solo venture. If the former, you may want to start with something less rigorous. If the latter, it sounds like you're biting off more than you can chew.

Regardless the footwear, I suggest stocking up on some moleskin. Without proper break-in (of both the boots and your feet), you are going to have hot spots that will turn into blisters if you don't do something about it right then.

Otherwise, my recommendation is do a lot of smaller hikes between now and then, and maybe talk in person to more experienced hikers.

i just re-read your post on ets and realised you said you had never hiked before.
DON'T try and do the pennine way, you simply have no chance of achieving it. i did it when i was 21 a cross country runner and a constant walker who grew up on the pennines and it was still very tough. i was lucky to have two companions who were fit enough to do it, we were the only group we met who finished with the party intact. i think it's 9 out of ten people who start off dont' finish it. you don't mention whether you have companions; you'll be lucky to meet anyone this time of year doing it and hardly anyone manages it alone.
especially don't do it now it'll be wet cold and dark and since the path is badly signposted very difficult to follow. the trodden down grass from previous walkers was such a help in finding the way. we did it in 16 days with one day off. walking 12 hours a day; you won't even have 12 hours of daylight. that 15 miles a day is constant up and down, it's not as easy as it sounds.
i'm alarmed you appear to have no equipment; you mean you don't have a broken in pair of boots and don't know how to use a map and compass? that is crazy!!
the survival advice on this site is not suitable for where you are going. there's nothing to burn on the moors and no wood to make bivouacs etc. i've been hiking here all my life and don't know how to make a fire. i've never been anywhere i could.
you are never more than 3 miles from a road in england so your survival equipment should consist of a moblie phone whistle and a bivvy bag. i'd bring a sleeping bag too this time of year.
but again the best advice is not to go; the pennine way is far out of your reach; try for something pleasanter. stick to florida.