JOIN THE OUTDOOR CROWD
If you’d like to meet new people to enjoy days in the hills with, joining a hiking club could be the answer. Our partners at the BMC have put together five great reasons to do just that.
■ MEET LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE
If your friends prefer gym trainers to walking boots, or coffee in town to a brew with a view, a club can help you find a new crowd who are up for exactly the same kind of adventures as you. You’ll meet a real variety of people, of different ages and abilities. Many club members make lasting friendships that go well beyond walking.
■ GET WALKING EVERY WEEK
With a regular programme of planned club events throughout the week there will always be something you can go along to, and people free to walk when you are. So you’ll never have to wonder where to go or who to walk with.
■ PASS ON YOUR SKILLS, AND LEARN NEW ONES
It’s fundamental to the purpose of walking clubs that members share knowledge and learn from each other, in an informal way. If you’re new to route-planning, most clubs have guidebooks and maps you can borrow before you get your own. If you like to get geeky about grams and you’ve already weighed up the benefits of a bivvy over an ultra-lightweight tent, there will be others who are keen to learn from your expertise.
■ USE THE HUT NETWORK
Clubs have a network of huts around the country, providing a base for your adventures. They’re often cottages in amazing locations that are only available to members to use for club or solo trips. Like bothies, there’s a real focus on community and sharing, with communal areas and a shared responsibility to look after the places you visit.
■ EMBRACE THE COMMUNITY
Sharing transport and accommodation keeps costs low and helps to reduce environmental impact. Going along with an experienced group can also really help build your confidence, as club members are there to support and encourage each other. As well as walking, many clubs also plan talks, film nights, climbing sessions, and skills training sessions like outdoor first aid and navigation.