A bit of advice for all

Some of you will think this is old hat and will probably stop reading after the next line.
With the new boxing season about to start, there are a few basic things you will need. Probably the one most people forget about after doing everything else is probably the most important thing your feet! If you have not been wearing your boots or they are new - they will need breaking in. A good polish if they are leather, not only helps with waterproofing but also softening the leather. Ensure your socks are not man made fabrics next to the skin.

Basic equipment, compass, map, food (hot food), waterproofs first aid kit. and a change of clothes. Learn how to pack your rucksack so you know exactly where everything is, so you can dig it out without physically looking.

It is worth going to your local St Johns or Red cross establishment and brushing up on your first aid skills as the practice and method is modified regularly and will help you cope with that unexpected incident.

Brush up on your map reading skills with your local scout troop. If you are planning on a long walk this year do a few short trips first and get the muscle tone and fitness up a bit, I am sure a few of us are still carrying around a few post christmas pounds.

Ensure all your equipment is upto scratch not worn out etc and working. If you are planning an overnighter anywhere practice putting the tent up in your garden so you can do it quickly. Practice doing it in the dark (or blindfolded) so if you stuck somewhere unexpected so that you have no problem setting it up.


Any more suggestions?

Make sure if you are carrying any equipment that needs batteries that you have spare ones in your pack.

Charge mobile phones the night before and if possible carry a spare one with a different sim card in. You can get a cheapy phone and PAYG simcard for as little as a tenner these days. I carry 3 phones to cover Orange, O2 and Vodaphone.

Make sure you leave a map of your route with someone at home.

The above is sound advice I am sure all will agree. Just to add my 2p worth - do not rely on a GPS alone, even with spare batteries - take also a compass.
A first aid kit is good ,but also a Survival kit is readily available and not too expensive.

Adapting a Naval saying:
''Remember! Dartmoor is safe, Until you forget it can be dangerous!

Enjoy your boxing, and don`t have nightmares! (to the tune of Crime Watch!

Good advice all round. I've come accross some "muppets" who wouldn't be prepared for a short sharp shower, let alone a full blown change in conditions. The mists can creep up on you like a ninja!.... this is where the GPS can save you, but you do have to be aware of your surroundings and keep a close eye on landmarks and when the mist is as thick as pea soup, it could be worth waiting to see if it lifts before wandering off aimlessley....

The use of a GPS has been well documented before ,especially when the mist comes in as I found last Tuesday. However, the GPS does not tell you to go round the mire you are walking into, even though it points that way to your destination!

Agree, GPS is just a tool. Like any other (including map and compass) it can be damaged and leave you in a sticky spot, but it has given me a lot more reassurance when out in thick fog. Mine lays a trail of where I've walked automatically, so I can always find my way back to the car. And naturally I carry spare batteries! I also enjoy the post-walk of playing with the tracks, overlaying them on maps and slowly building up a computer map of where I've walked - each ragged circle reminding me of that day, its challenges and highlights. I do, of course, carry a compass and a good map, and I know how to use both.

However - the best and most reliable tool is your brain!

That will help guide you when, where and what is safe, how far you can go - adapts quickest (when asked) to changing circumstances and is the only tool that can tell you how your body's doing. But often forgotten when lists are made!

(I know I'm not really teaching Granny anything about eggs...)

Sucking eggs eh?
This post is to remind everyone that Dartmoor can be a dangerous place, even in summer. Silly little things can be forgotten, like telling someone where you are going. Carrying a whistle, water etc.
Some of us on here are not spring chickens and forget things like... erm... I forget, and also there are new people coming on here all the time.

Oddly I have a weird desire, to be flown off Dartmoor in a helicopter - but not in an air ambulance

Nik - KOTM wrote:Sucking eggs eh?
Oddly I have a weird desire, to be flown off Dartmoor in a helicopter - but not in an air ambulance

Same here Nik - getting on in age and the mind wanders - my biggest wish many years ago was for a helicopter to take me out to Cut Hill, so that I could spend all day looking for all the boxes in the peat. It used to take 2 hours to walk out there (boxing on the way of course) then a couple of hours digging around, then another couple back. Always came back with loads of lovely stamps - never less than 50 and best day was 90. Most without clues, just prodding. Now there are not so many out there, because of the lack of grazing the peat hags have become overgrown with elephant grass and walking and boxing is very difficult on there.

NIK: ''Oddly I have a weird desire, to be flown off Dartmoor in a helicopter - but not in an air ambulance''

Now there is an experience! Had mine the day of my accident March 24 2000! Did not appreciate it at the time but remember doing it all the same.
Lost my footing at the top of the steep gully near Big Pond, 'ripped' the quad muscle, tendons, etc. from the knee cap on right leg.
Spent 3 months in plaster, and 3 years before back to boxing!Had ops on knee since, got arthritis and now need to have a new knee joint.

Take heed of all advice, treat Dartmoor with respect, and like I said: It is safe until you forget it is dangerous!

With due deference to TWA's experience (which sounds horrible), I'm going to chime in with "Take insect repellent - and check yourself regularly for ticks".
Despite never going out in shorts or short sleeves, I was infected with Lyme Disease last summer. In my case the disease itself wasn't great, but in the grand scheme of things it wasn't too bad (although it can be). The treatment though, was miserable.
I've also done battle with horse flies out there. Anyone watching from afar would have been treated to a comical sight, but surely they are one of the most odious creatures on the planet?

depending on which part of the moors your going

snake bite kit....... (enough said really)...
fluids with extra in your rucksack.
chocolate
foil blanket
spare laces or paracord

Not heard of a snake bite kit before, so googled it. This was the first result - some quite horrifying comments!

http://thevintagebin.com/Snake-Bite-Kit ... N04H2Y.htm


Tip for broken laces; Usually enough spare on the broken one to leave out the lower few loops and just tie the top ones, or you can cut the other lace in two - enough to get you back. Agree with para cord, very useful stuff.

Don't forget a flask of coffee and enough money for a pint in the pub!
OH..... and the dog lead. I have lost a few of them up there. I think Reg hides them when I am not looking. DAMN DOG!

I looked at that limk Dartymoor gave us... where the first thing I saw was the $ sign. I have never come across anyone carrying an anti-snakebite kit.
The best anti-snakebite kit I can think of is proper footwear, socks and trousers and walking stick and a little commonsense.

One look at the reviews at the bottom of the site speaks volumes.

Reg, not found any dog leads but did find a red and black dog ball - a really solid one. Now gracing a spot in my flat.

Thanks for the advice on here - Yesterday I forgot the bite cream (for insects BTW not snakes) Tim got eaten! oops

Also in addition to beer money don't forget the ice cream money

nudge....

brinbunny wrote:Reg, not found any dog leads but did find a red and black dog ball - a really solid one. Now gracing a spot in my flat.

Thanks for the advice on here - Yesterday I forgot the bite cream (for insects BTW not snakes) Tim got eaten! oops

Also in addition to beer money don't forget the ice cream money

I'm not a muppet because I NEVER for get the icecream money