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About the walking What you need to know about Sunday
walks
You can just turn up to walks that interest you - we are easy
to spot and normally get a mixed bunch of 15 to 30 people. Contact details of
the walk leader are emailed every Tuesday before the walk just in case you need
to contact them on the day (mobile phone reception permitting). All we ask is,
if after two walks you wish to continue walking with the group, you join
through the Rambler's Association (see home page). Sadly if you don't after
two walks, for insurance reasons, we will have to turn you away.
- Please bring
- a packed lunch unless stated otherwise in the walk
details
- plenty of fluids
- sturdy waterproof boots that support your ankles to
help you over rough ground and muddy conditions
- waterproofs for the British weather!
- wear suitable clothing (no jeans) that dry quickly. Hat
& gloves are advisable in poor weather. Walk leaders may refuse people if
not attired appropriately
- rucksack (no plastic bags or shoulder strapped bags as
they hinder mobility)
- blister plasters (and\or first aid kit)
- spare laces - they do tend to break when you least want
them to
- If you suffer from any medical condition that the walk
leader should know about, please mention this to them before starting the walk.
However be aware that we are not first aid trained
- As a rule of thumb we will finish a walk with a drink in a
pub and sometimes stop en-route where a suitable place can be found
- Walk timings depend on many variables which may not be
known at the start of the walk e.g. the number who turn up, terrain, number of
stiles, our inability to walk past a pub without going in! As a rough indicator
work on walking 2 miles an hour plus half an hour for lunch
- There may not be public conveniences at the start or
during the walk unless you count a well placed bush! If you need to stop ensure
someone knows so we don't walk too far off without you
- Well behaved dogs are allowed upon agreement of the walk
leader, please contact them first to assess suitability for dogs.
- And finally bring a sense of adventure - you can't
necessarily plan for the unknown - you just need to take it in your stride when
it happens
What you need to know about weekends way
- Take into account all of the above
- In addition bring
- additional food and drink in case we have to stay out
longer than expected
- survival shelter (optional but recommended so there are
enough to go around)
- hat and gloves to cope with the inevitable
altitude
- keep a head torch with you at all times (You'll get to
hear the stories as to why!)
General information Weekends away - The group
organises weekends away to various parts of the country. We try to arrange two
a quarter. We normally travel up on the Friday night, and typically stay in
Youth Hostel accommodation with a pub nearby. Saturdays generally involve a
strenuous (though rewarding) "walk" with an easier one on the Sunday. Only
members of the group are entitled to come on weekends away. We also offer a
Navigation Skills training weekend in the Peak District to help encourage new
walk leaders.
Car sharing - We encourage car sharing though
generally leave it up to individuals to make their own arrangements. Once on a
walk talk to as many people as possible and we're certain you will be pointed
toward members who live near you to swap contact details. We can't promise but
for your first walk or so contact
bearwalkinggroup@hotmail.co.uk
and we'll try to put you in contact with someone who may be able to help.
Please remember to offer something to cover petrol and any car parking costs if
you receive a lift or return the offer on another walk. See the
Car Share page for more details.
Our Walk
Grading\Mileage - Walk mileages are indicative only. Walk grading is
subjective and is generally made before venturing onto the walk itself based on
what the map indicates and the leader's knowledge of the area. Don't be put off
with the grading you will be surprised with what you can
achieve!
However please try and work gradually up to a "Difficult" walk,
where a good level of fitness and confidence in walking and scrambling over
rough terrain is required. Definitions of walk grades are as follows:
- Distance - Easy = Up to 7 miles
- Distance - Medium = 8-11 miles
- Distance - Difficult = 12+ miles
- Difficulty - 1 = Easy terrain with a couple of mild climbs
- Difficulty - 2 = Moderate terrain with steady climbs
- Difficulty - 3 = Hard terrain, possibly with exposure and
scrambling, with steep and long ascents
- NB: The grade gives the maximum difficulty, walks may
contain parts of each grade. If you are uncertain about the difficulty of a
walk please call the walk leader.
Please note: All walk leaders volunteer their time
to plan and organise their walks for free. The group would not survive without
them. Please support them on the walk when needed. We walk as a group so please
remember to think of others as well as yourself.
About the SocialisingWe have an active and fun social
calendar, with regular monthly pub meets and restaurant trips around
Leamington, Warwick and the surrounding area, plus some boogieing trips to The
Assembly thrown in for good measure!
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