Fit For Purpose

People often say when they see the children, "I bet they keep you fit..."

Oh, sure, I'm in reasonable nick: I'm used to lifting a 16kg weight, and carrying the same down the lane to school every day, but when I get tired, I put her down and she walks for herself. I also run up and down the stairs a fair bit, but I'd have to climb them forty times to match a 1,000' ascent - and there are no slippery rocks in my house, or scree.

During my July and October trips last year I spent the first three days feeling stiff and achy, and was only able to 'go for it' on the last few of days of each visit (two of which were written off by bad weather). This year, I had determined to get properly fit before I go.

Now that my ankle sprain is healing nicely... I'm stretching, swimming, doing step exercises and press-ups, etc., but my main technique is to carry an increasing collection of house bricks around with me... 8kg so far ...on the school-run, round Tescos, on strolls with the kids. My reckoning is that the best way to get fit for walking with a heavy pack is to walk with a heavy pack.

I've also joined a local walking group - previously anathema to me - which is now forcing me out onto my local hills (the South Downs) at least once a week. I take the bricks too - for the entertainment of my fellow walkers if nothing else.

How do you get/keep fit for the hills?

The First Steps

I first visited Scotland when I was six. My first mountain had more feet to its height than I had days to my age, but I was instantly ensnared by the lure of heather and rock-clad hills. The Cairngorms, which were visible from that first summit, held a particular fascination for me, but - despite many other hills - it was a long time before I trod on my first bit of red granite; and even then I was limited.

For seven years I climbed Cairngorm, or walked its northern corries, with various of my children either still inside, in a front carrier, in a back carrier, and/or in a buggy. I loved these walks - they made a change from mother & baby coffee mornings, for sure - but I confess to yearning for the chance to walk alone, with a tent on my back instead of a toddler. I wanted to go into the hills, not just look at them from yet another visit to the weather station.

Last July I finally got that chance, and again in August and October. I have further trips planned for this year, and plan to use this blog to share pictures, routes, experiences, and gear reviews (as I upgrade my 25-year-old kit). I would love to hear back from you. The comments box is open.