OUR WALKS – WHAT? WHERE? WHEN?

[Some of these topics are covered more fully in our other Advice Pages]

Where do we meet? All our Sunday walks start from Bridgend Recreation Centre car park at the time given in the programme. The current Programme is available elsewhere on this web site.

Our Tuesday walks start from the swimming pool car park in Pyle and the meeting places for the Friday walks are given in the programme.

Meeting Time: You need to arrive about 10 minutes before the time given in the programme as we leave promptly at that time. This will allow you to meet the walk leader and the other walkers and also to arrange any car sharing.

Clothing: At any time of the year the weather can change quickly especially on the hills and the mountains and so you must bring suitable clothing, adequate footwear and have wet weather gear as this is also windproof. The leader may turn you away if they think you are not adequately dressed and so it might be better if you telephone the leader the day before the walk if you are unsure, their numbers are in the programme.

If there is any doubt, then the committee’s decision is to support the leader and to err on the safe side. If this ever happens then we hope that you will respect this decision and understand the reasons..

Drinks and food: Always bring these with you, even for the shortest of walks.

Breaks: On half-day walks there will be a banana break somewhere around 11 am for a drink and a snack whilst for long walks there will usually be two breaks: a morning break at around 1030 or 11 am and a lunch break at a suitable time and place on the walk. On very long walks there will sometimes be an afternoon stop too.

Water should be taken on-board regularly throughout the day.

You should carry sufficient food and drink for yourself. It’s best to err on the safe side if you are unsure, and bring too much, you can always eat it on the way home!

Dogs on Walks: Allowing dogs on walks is dependent on the walk leaders because only they will know where the walk will go. Normally dogs will be welcome provided that no problems are to be expected with other animals on the walks or with farm livestock.

For example, lambing can be a sensitive time and we would rather risk offence to a walker with a dog than take a chance of causing distress to sheep. Cattle can become excited when dogs are about too and, should you be on a walk, then you may be asked to allow other walkers though a field before proceeding yourself.

Leaders who are in any doubt about their suitability may decline to allow dogs on the walk.

Owners of dogs wishing to take them should contact the walk leader the day before.

 

Weather: In bad weather, or because of difficult going, the leader may have to change the walk, the route of the walk or even the start of the walk. Rarely, in extreme circumstances, the walk may have to be cancelled by the leader.

Such a decision will be made by leaders who are experienced and who know their route and will not be taken lightly.

Safety: Walk leaders have a duty of care towards their fellow walkers and walkers have a duty of care to each other.

If on very rare occasions, a leader feels that a member of the group has become ill-suited for the conditions then they may decline to allow them to continue on the walk and will arrange to have them accompanied to a place of safety.

Decisions might have to be made whilst on the walk that have a bearing on the safety of an individual or the group and so walkers are required to adhere to the leaders decisions and to assist them in any way. Invariably there will be a number of experienced leaders on any walk and they regularly assist each other.

Simple first aid kits and elementary survival equipment such as “space” blankets or survival bags are carried by walkers.

Please remember that you participate in any walk at your own risk. If there is any doubt then the committee will support any decisions made by the leader.

Grading of Walks: Walking almost anywhere in Wales is likely to involve some climbing – because Wales is a hilly place.

The following, therefore, is just a guide and depends on the judgement of the walk leader when reconnoitring the route and arranging the walks programme.

E = Easy –   Mostly flat or with easy climbs.
M = Moderate –  Moderate amount of climbing perhaps on higher ground
H = Hard –   Longer walk over some rough ground with steeper climbs
S = Strenuous –  Usually longer distances, often with stiff climbs over      rough mountain terrain.

Please bear in mind that the speed or pace of any walk should be considered too. Our longer walkers tend to achieve a speed that some will find too fast and, again, it is advisable to contact the walk leader to discuss this.

-oOo-

Remember – you can come with us three times for free, try before you buy, but once you have joined the Ramblers your membership card will give you 10% or 15% off at various outdoor clothing stores. Sometimes even more! You could get your membership fee back!