Naismith's Rule
Download: Naismith’s Rule Table
In 1892, a clever fellow named W. H. Naismith reckoned that most of us could walk 5km in an hour and would probably take an extra half hour for every 300m of ascent. Working this out on the kitchen table at home is fine, but what about if you’re on top of a summit with wind and sleet against your face; you’ve just measured the distance home and now your brain struggles to work out how long before you start that car engine. Do not fear. Download and print out the table above and keep it handy in your rucksack; it will provide a useful ready – reckoner.
Walk Route Card
Download: Route Card
A Route Card is a simple tool that makes your walk safer and offers many other benefits, especially when you’re planning a long-distance route. If left with someone responsible, a Route Card is a safety back-up if you don’t return from your walk. It’s also a handy way of recording where you’ve walked for future reference and an invaluable tool to make your navigation easier.
Do remember to date the card – it’s a useful record of when you did the walk, and it prevents a rescue team searching for you on the hills when you’ve been home for three weeks! It is also a very useful tool to help you think more about your walk. By dividing the route up, you can decide on key points along the way. The walk becomes less of a route march and more a series of interesting locations. Click on the link above to download a Route Card that you can print out.