The Walks  
 

GWC Guidelines

We aim to provide, as safe as possible, an enjoyable weekend of walking that is matched to what the individuals taking part can achieve. However, as there is a wide range of fitness levels and a limited number of walk leaders we do this by organising 2 walks per weekend (Saturday and Sunday am). The Saturday walk is tougher, but still aimed at the levels of those who've said they're coming and the Sunday is a warm down walk or more of an introduction to walking.

The agreed and published route descriptions are:

A - Fully Accessible

A/B - Some stiles, occasional short or gentle climbs

B - Some stiles, occasional climbs

C - Either significant distance or significant climb. Ben Lomond falls at the top end of this, Wansfell Pike at the bottom. There will be a - through to + scale on these walks.

C(t) - Same as C, but with a technical aspect e.g. hands on scramble or short ridge walk

D - Significant length AND significant climb - Fairfield Horseshoe, Snowdon etc

D (t) - As D but with graded scramble, extended ridge walk or navigational complexity - Hellvylln via Swirral and Striding Edges

D+ - Beyond D(t) and you have to be able to look after yourself on the hills, and be able to look after others on the hills, and do the D(t) stuff without thinking... We're not likely to be doing these as a group.

In terms of individuals attending the walks, all are asked what their current fitness levels are, and what their walking aspirations are. Obviously, there could either be an under or over estimate of fitness levels and abilities by individuals. Therefore, when we have a new face, or faces, extra care is taken on walk selection to make sure the walks are adaptable at short notice or that there are additional break points where individuals can stop in safety.

These principles were tested in action during Hadrian's Wall walk, and worked. Also, so far in the 2 years of the GWC the planned route has been changed twice on weather grounds, neither went down well as the walks were "special" ones that individuals really wanted to do. But safety of those walking has to come first.

Route selection is based on the experience of the walk leaders, currently mainly Paul, drawing on the experience of the long term members of the GWC, people we walk with other than the GWC and the route descriptions provided by the Ramblers and other organisations.

Walk management has its own set of rules, again based on best practice from BMC and Ramblers.

The rules of the GWC on the walk:


1) If you need to stop, say so and stop
2) If you haven't got the breath to say so, stop first
3) Please try not to stop in the way of the person directly behind you!
4) On the hill the walk leaders word is law, (s)he is Judge Dredd. You can argue in the pub, you can moan about them for all eternity afterwards, but on the hill their word is the only word that counts.
5) We go at a sensible pace, the GWC doggy style is:
Stronger Walker at front < - bulk of group - > Walk leader at back... Unless we need to walk to a pace, in which case there will be designated pace setters.
6) The GWC has to have some paper work:
i) indemnity form
ii) medical form
Basically the legal and the medical stuff. The general rule is one copy of the medical form should be in your rucksack and one at your accommodation.

7) This meant to be fun!