Walking slowly on purpose: the pace that gets you up
Why the slowest pace you can hold all day is the right one, and how to find it with a simple talk test.
Latest posts
One plain post every Friday on training, packing and pacing for a first big hike.
Breaking in your boots before the trip
How many short walks it takes, what to wear them with and the signs a boot is not right for your foot.
The packing list I check twice
Everything I put in a daypack and a bag for a week on a big mountain, and what I leave at home.
Loaded walks: how to build up from a light pack
Start with a small weight and a short walk, and add a little each week until the pack feels ordinary.
Training in the rain, because the mountain will not wait for sun
Wet clothes, slippery steps and a wind that does not stop. Why one rainy walk a month is worth it.
Snacks and water for a long day on your feet
What to carry in your pockets, how often to eat and how to drink without stopping the group.
Stairs twice a week: a plan for ordinary legs
One flight, then two, then ten minutes without stopping. A plain plan you can do in a block of flats.
What summit day feels like, and how to pace it
A long, cold start in the dark, and a pace so slow it feels silly. How I tell my walkers to take it.
The night before summit day: a short list
Warm layers by the bed, water inside your jacket and a small bag you can find in the dark.
Step-ups with a loaded pack: how high, how many
Pick a step about knee high, load the pack lightly and count slowly. The few rules that keep it safe.
Newsletter
Slow Steps
A short letter every Friday for people getting ready for a big hike: one lesson, one thing to pack and one thing to try this week.