HOW TO PLAN A BAD-WEATHER EXPEDITION

Don’t let a forbidding forecast put you off getting outside. Iona Andean explains how to plan a successful multi-day trip – even in gnarly weather

IF WE’D CANCELLED our weekend hike into the Grey Corries because of the poor forecast, we would have missed out on a wonderful expedition. The challenging weather might have driven us down for the tops – but in the end, it made the trip even more memorable. Here’s how we coped...

Flexibility: Our trip plans changed several times in response to the weather and our own capabilities. Keep an eye on the local

MWIS forecast (mwis.org.uk) and don’t be afraid to make new plans at the last minute. It’s also a good idea to have a few different options in mind for changeable conditions.

Altitude: Tackling the tops would have been dangerous in the conditions we had, but it still felt great being out in the mountains. Swapping ridges and summits for low-level long-distance walks makes a lot of sense when the forecast is looking dicey. And exploring the glens and valleys is surprisingly rewarding.

Companionship: Camaraderie can really keep you going through tough weather conditions. It’s harder to keep your spirits up when you’re walking alone – plus the hills are more dangerous in bad weather, so it’s safer to have a companion. If you don’t have much of experience of walking in wind, rain and cold then a guide could be a good option as well. We used Kirsty Pallas, a brilliant instructor based in Lochaber.

Shelter: Bivvying and camping can both be pretty miserable in bad weather, so you might want to consider more substantial overnight accommodation. Bothies are a great option – although bear in mind that you might have to share them. Planning a multi-day trip around hostels or bunkhouses is another weatherbeating possibility.

Waterproofs: Your waterproofs are the only thing that really stand between you and the bad weather, so they need to perform well. The new Berghaus Mehan waterproof jacket is lightweight, flexible and it has vents underneath the arms that you can unzip, which reduces the amount of moisture building up inside your jacket. Whatever waterproofs you have, make sure you reproof them before a big trip.

Layering system: A good layering system will help keep you warm and dry in poor weather conditions. I started off with the Berghaus Tech Tee, which was insulative and also really effective at sweat wicking

when we were pushing ourselves physically. On top of that I wore the Berghaus Fourier Fleece, which was warm, well-fitting and had those all-important thumb loops for when the weather got colder.

Insulation: Traditional down jackets are great in cold, crisp conditions, but if there’s rain in the forecast then they might just, um, let you down. I wore the Berghaus Affine Jacket, which was made from synthetic down – meaning it dried incredibly quickly. Lighter insulation around the waist and shoulders also allowed a waterproof to fit comfortably over the top, giving me an extra layer when it got really chilly.

Rucksack room: In poor weather you’ll almost certainly need a bigger backpack, whether it’s for carrying extra layers or for lugging around firewood. My Berghaus Trailhead 65L was spacious enough to fit all of our sleeping essentials, plus food, warm layers and wood. Despite a big load, it remained comfortable throughout, thanks to its BIOFIT system, which features enhanced padding for extra comfort.

Kit protection: Your waterproofs might be keeping you dry – but what about your kit? Make sure you stash anything important in dry-bags, ideally lining your rucksack with a larger dry-bag and then using smaller bags to double-wrap essentials. Waterproof covers for maps and mobile phones make navigation much easier. Don’t forget that electronic devices will lose their charge much more quickly in the cold, so an extra battery pack (well protected in its own dry-bag) is a good idea as well. Check out more of the Berghaus hiking range by scanning this QR code