by Catherine Sempill
So your walk for the morning is planned. You’ve got your (Contours) route locked and loaded and you’re excited to hit the trail early tomorrow morning. You want to get to bed at a reasonable hour but you have a niggly feeling you might be forgetting something.
This is where a checklist comes in handy, and we’ve got one for you that covers the pre-trip and daily tasks so you don’t have to try and remember everything.
To do and pack before your trip
These are things you’ll want to cross off before you leave for your Contours walk. They’re mostly one-off things, although a few of them overlap, like ensuring your torch is in your day pack each evening.
- Check the weather forecast and pack clothing accordingly
This one needs no explanation really, but consider that the weather will affect your footwear choices (wet & muddy vs dry conditions) as well as clothing choices.
- Download your routes — or print out a paper version
This step ensures you’re not relying on internet or mobile signal to know where you’re going. Even populated areas have “dead zones” and nothing breaks the flow of a nice walk more than realising your navigation is off because you’ve lost access to your route.
- Share your daily route with someone back home
On a Contours trip the team keeps an eye on your whereabouts and safety, but if you decide to head out independently, it never hurts to share your planned route with someone you trust. This becomes increasingly important the more remote your planned walk is.
- In the winter months, pack a torch or headlight
On short winter days, the onset of darkness is a serious consideration for both safety and enjoyment. You might plan an early start, heading out before the sun peaks above the horizon, or you could find yourself trudging towards your end point in the dark if things don’t go according to plan during the day (not all misadventures are avoidable). In either case, a head torch or flashlight is useful. Of course, a phone light will do in a pinch, but in muddy conditions or uneven terrain, you might not want to risk dropping it.
- Pack your basic first aid kit
Your usual medication, anti-inflamatories, a few plasters, some antiseptic. Here’s a guide to packing a minimalist first aid kit so your bases are covered but you’re not drowning in unnecessary rolls of bandages.
Daily checklist
This part of the list is focused on the things to cross off each evening ahead of the next days’ walk. It’ll prevent a scramble in the morning or the unfortunate realisation you’ve forgotten something once you’ve already set off.
- Stuff some loo roll into your backpack
Depending on your route, you might not always have loo access right at the moment you need it. Whether you need the toilet or have allergies flaring up and a nose that needs blowing, having some loo roll or tissues on you can prevent discomfort. Also pack a ziplock bag or other plastic bag so you have somewhere to store your waste paper until you reach the next bin.
- Ensure your phone is charged and/or your battery back is where it’s meant to be in your day pack
An earlier item on the list is “download your routes so you’re not reliant on signal.” This step is useless if your phone has no battery.
- Book your lunch spot or identify places to replenish your snack supplies
With on-the-ground insight into things like the weather and your mood, the night before is a good time to consider what your options are for resting and eating on the next day’s route.
- Keep some cash on you
Again, this one’s a precaution. Most places take card these days but cash still comes in handy on occasion, like if you need to hail an old-school taxi in a small Uber-free town, or you come across an appealing little farm stall with no card machine.
And there you have it. A basic checklist that helps you stay organised ahead of your walks. Use this as a template and adapt it for your own circumstances for maximum organisation and pre-walk peace of mind. Save this list on your phone so you can revisit it each evening.
