Exploring 1, 2, 3...

Exploring

I do this alone. Always, well mostly always. 

How?

I've a few basic rules that I stick to;

1) Decide where you're going and familiarise yourself by looking at map before you go. In short get a map out, look at the route you're planning, the area, terrain. Google Street View can be good for this too, especially for look for parking, pubs, stiles from the road onto the trail/route.

2) Roughly how many miles is it? How many walls, gates will you pass. What features will you see?. 

3) Don't wander off route on that tempting looking side path, there's time for this later when you're more familiar with the area.

4) Every now and then turn round and look back. What do you see?. This is especially good if you need to retrace, relocate/get your bearings, turn back.

5) Have a get out plan, in case... (you checked the map? you looked back?). If the weather becomes adverse, or the terrain is more unpredictable than you predicted it's an idea to have an escape plan.

6) Carry a map (of some kind). A paper map (if you can read one, is best) but apps like OS, kamoot, All Trails etc can provide a GPS pinpoint (location/weather depending) of where you are in case you become misplaced and need to right yourself. 

7) Ask that local / weathered looking rambler / runner that passes you. If you see someone ask. Plus they'll remember seeing you, and if anything happens be able to fill in a time line/frame detail...

8) Be sensible, know your skill level, limitations, know when to call it a day. The trails, moors, hills and mountains will still be there tomorrow. Go back, rethink, replan, return. 

9) Let someone know roughly your route, set off & eta time. Narrow the area and time down incase of an emergency. 

10) Kit kit kit. Carry it. Water, food (500 cals), waterproof, charged phone.

*be sensible 

**don't be a dick