Creating the self-guided walks for YHA includes a team of experts to test out the routes to make sure they are safe and accessible as well as adding in details such as nearest facilities and scenic places to stop for a great view. Mountain leader, Simon Lightowler, was lucky enough to have been involved in testing some of the most challenging routes. Here he tells us about how much he enjoys climbing mountains, and some of the hazards he has come up against.
“I’ve been going to the hills since I was a boy and love wild places, especially mountains in all their forms and in all weathers. I am privileged in that this makes up most of my working life.
For YHA, my work is to complete the final check on the routes that have been created for the self-guided walks, which start and finish at hostels. I test out most of the high-level mountain routes, as well as some less challenging but equally lovely routes that are in less mountainous areas. I make sure that the route on the ground matches the GPX file on the OS Maps App and that it’s a safe and feasible route, with any dangers noted on the map.
My days in the hills involve following the route and where necessary, suggesting and then walking suitable alternative routes, which often means some wandering around to find the best route that’s clear to follow. I take lots of photos, screenshots of maps and grid references to feedback the best information to finalise the route itself and ensure the accuracy of the information and commentary maps. PDF downloads of these routes are free for anyone to use and available on YHA’s website.
There is no doubt that some of the routes are very challenging, often requiring quite long days out and in poor weather they can be even tougher. But there are walks for all abilities and the choices of routes available should allow walkers to challenge themselves safely by having accurate information and a GPX file to help them navigate the route and understand any hazards.
Checking the routes took me to places I’d heard about but not visited and back to places I had visited often. I went to YHA Slaidburn and the lonely atmospheric moors near Wolfhole Crag where I saw nobody all day. I went to YHA Helmsley and the lovely paths around Rievaulx Abbey. Perhaps my most challenging and memorable days were on Pillar in the Lake District, having to abandon the walk because of torrential rain, high winds, and flooded becks. I returned to finish the survey on a sunny spring day and crossed the climber’s traverse to Pillar Rock amidst stunning mountain scenery.
Another memorable day was climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) from YHA Snowdon Ranger after an overnight fall of snow, which made the mountain feel almost alpine in aspect. Finishing these walks especially when the conditions have required extra effort, I always find a little bittersweet. It’s good to take your boots off and relax but at the same time I always wish I was still out on the hills. I often take the descents back to the hostel at a leisurely pace to enjoy the atmosphere and the feeling of being in the mountains. It took me a long time to complete the short route on The Horns from YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass as the views as the day drew to a close were really worth savouring.
My advice to walkers seeking to challenge themselves during the Festival of Walking is to do just that! Pick a hostel in an area you don’t know and use the routes we have produced to walk something different, or go back to an area you do know and choose a route on hills that are unfamiliar to you. Having walked many of them I am certain you will not be disappointed. In addition, you can claim a 20% discount when you stay at select YHA hostels during the festival, all in stunning locations and with helpful and knowledgeable staff to point you in the right direction. What’s not to like? I hope you enjoy yourselves on these routes as much as I did helping create them.”
Two years ago, the first ever Festival of Walking launched, which brought together people from all different backgrounds to celebrate the joy of walking. As part of the festival, YHA hosted social walks, challenge events, free cuppas and cakes at their hostels and volunteers mapped out plenty of self-led walks with downloadable maps. Discover more about YHA’s Festival of Walking.
Written by Simon Lightowler.
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