Snowdonia, in Northwest Wales, is the wettest part of one of, if not the, wettest country in Europe (Ireland might be wetter). I would bet that May or early June is the best time to climb, since the hot dry summer weather seems to come early, definitely not in August. Plus, with school out for summer, the trail gets to be like a mountain motorway. We sat down for a brief rest and drink on the way up and watched a never-ending stream of tour groups, summer camp kids, families, couples, lone trekkers and many dogs marching up. I couldn't help but notice that many climbers were wearing converse sneakers, urban walking shoes, Wellington boots and other slippery footwear while walking a path that was almost entirely made of slick rocks with so much water flowing over that you were practically walking through a stream.
I have always been adventurous, and I intend to stay adventurous until I die. But I used to be adventurous and unprepared (ah, youth!). Now I have an idea of what to bring in case of drastic changes in weather, physical needs, etc. My husband is a pretty good climber and has taken proper training courses on winter mountaineering. When we first met, he wooed this wannabe New Yorker back to the west by whisking me off on plenty of outdoor adventures, and did all of the planning and packing while I focused on having a fabulous time and looking great while doing it. Over the past few years, I've taken over much of the planning and packing role. Seeing all those walkers in converse inspired me to pass on what I've learned from a very sensible, well-trained outdoorsman on how to make sure you'll be able to saunter off (or up) with confidence.
What to bring:
* A good backpack can save your shoulders and back from discomfort. It doesn't have to be expensive but should sit on your hips and not pull on your shoulders. Having a waterproof shell to wrap around the pack is handy (many backpacking packs come with this).
* A map of the area! We strongly prefer topographical maps, along with a compass. What if you want to know where you are, take a shorter or longer route, know how much incline or descent is ahead of you? Maps are the best. They also get your imagination going: "what's out there??" In England, we use the Ordnance Survey maps.
* A map bag! This is really important in England. You don't want your map to get trashed by rain, and a proper map bag will sling around your neck easily, and close with velcro to keep water out.
* Water: I bring two litres for a day, more if it's hot, dry and if the hike is a long one. I have a bottle that holds about this much and bring that, or reuse old plastic water bottles (avoid buying new plastic water bottles every time you hike: it's not environmentally friendly, so just filter some tap water and fill up an old bottle. Think low-maintenance and low consumption).
* Footwear: Bring two pairs of socks that complement the fit of your boots (test beforehand). I have several pairs of double-layer socks which aren't super thick but the two layers help prevent blisters. Invest in a pair of real hiking boots, even if you're just a casual hiker. They grip rocks, don't slip (at least, mine never have), and protect your ankle from strain while you're going over rocks and god knows what else – it's not like walking down the street! You won't regret it. Or, trail runners are okay – they look like running shoes but have a 'shank' (piece of metal or hard plastic) running down the center of the sole to help prevent your ankle from turning. They don't hug your ankle, though, and aren't as supportive; but I've climbed a few large-ish mountains in them and they're okay.
* Gaters: Not essential, but if you're going to be walking through water and mud, these are great. They're plastic foot/shin guards that latch on near the toe of your boot, strap under your heel, wrap around the ankle and go up the shin: they zip up and keep your boots from filling up with mud and water. They look like leg warmers...but are water-proof and are not cute or fashionable, sadly. Useful in England.
* Leg wear: On multi-day hikes, I like to bring: one pair of athletic lycra leggings (the type that runners often wear); one pair of standard 'hiking trousers' (the khaki/grey type that often will zip off and turn into shorts); one pair of loose fleece leggings for staying cozy warm at night; and one pair of waterproof leg covers. On a normal day hike, I'd only bring the lycra leggings, OR the hiking trousers, and the waterproofs if there's any chance of getting wet and/or cold. Or, if you're hiking in a hot dry place like Spain or Utah, shorts and sunblock.
* Tops: I like to wear a yoga tank top (they have a bra built in), a light 'wicking' fabric long-sleeved top and then a fleece...and the all-important rain/wind blocking outer layer (should be thick & warm if you're climbing high or if it's winter or otherwise cold). If it's hot, again, I'll just wear the tank, tie a wind-breaker jacket around my waist and bring sunblock and a hiking sun hat with a good brim.
* I almost always pack a pair of gloves and fleece scarf.
* A sun hat for warm weather, and a warm hat for cold, is vitally essential.
* Sunglasses are handy.
* Sunblock and lip balm (preferably with SPF) are essentials.
* And for fun...I also pack a tube of lipstick, because I like the way it makes me feel. So when you're relaxing in the pub or lodge at night, showing off your toned hiker's legs, you can feel a little bit glammy. For you, that might be a razor if you're going on a long trek and don't want to get too furry, or a bit of glittery eye shadow, or none of the above; whatever says 'enjoyment' and doesn't weigh much.
* High calorie foods are important to bring, in case it gets very cold, or something happens and you (god forbid) get stuck for a while, it's good to have a chocolate bar or bag of cashews...whatever, on top of your lunch and snacks.
* I like to have something fresh, juicy and easy to digest when I hike: maybe a peach, or bag of cherries, or a small tupperware of cooked vegetables. It's nice to have real food when you're working hard. I never feel good after a day of dried fruits, nuts, trail bars and bready sandwiches, so this helps balance that. I'm happy to carry the extra bit of weight that fresh food contains due to its water content.
When you're going on a longer trek, obviously, there will be soap, more food, etc. to think about but for clothes, that pretty much covers it.
You don't have to bring all of this, but know that layering is important because mountain weather can change very quickly. It's easy to think, 'oh, it's July, how bad could it be??' and I admit that my brain still works this way: but if you're high up, the weather is an entirely different beast than it is in your backyard. Make smart packing a methodical process of ticking off a list. A well-designed pack that's designed for hiking allows you to store unneeded layers on your back without discomfort. Being prepared also gives you more freedom to expand your exploring experiences. Nothing is better than feeling comfortable while you're out adventuring.
I hope that helps you to feel confident on your next hike! Given the fact that most of us spent zillions of hours driving, looking at computer screens while sitting, sitting and watching TV, time spent outside is more important than ever for your health and the health of the planet. Not just in the city park, but the real outdoors, unmanaged by humans. The natural, wild world nurtures your imagination; de-stresses, detoxes and relaxes you; and reminds you of what truly matters in life. Movement and taking time to get outside and see, touch, smell and experience the natural, real (not virtual) world is vitally imperative. I can't emphasize this enough. How can we save the environment if we aren't in touch with it, if we don't have a connection and a sense of care for it? If you think of our evolutionary process, you'll realize that we've been movers and shakers, literally, since the dawn of time...until the last 50 years. So go take a hike!
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