1) For longer walks carry some spare clothing. Mitts and hats can be blown away and it could be colder than you thought. Some additional food in the form of energy bars, dried fruit and nuts will never go wrong, and extra equipment such as a map and compass, spare laces and an LED torch are low in weight but high in appreciation when required.

2) Choose appropriate footwear. The same type doesn’t always fit differing purposes. Boots can be lightweight and give not only ankle protection, but support under foot on rocky ground. Approach shoes (a strong trainer style shoe) are very popular for casual walking. Perhaps unfortunately, many of the tracks and paths in the Lakes are well trodden and some have been laid to reduce erosion but this makes for easy walking.

3) A moonlight walk can be an enchanting experience especially if it is frosty or there is snow on the ground. Many of the Lake District’s fells are within reach for a winter night walk. Start with an area you know well where you can practise navigation without risk and progress to more difficult routes on, say, Helvellyn or Blencathra. Don’t forget to take a head-torch, spare batteries and some warm clothing. One of the surprise pleasures is being able to get parked easily!

4) Don’t be afraid to visit specialist outdoor shops such as Freetime. Make a point of searching out your local independent retailer. Staffed by keen outdoor folk they should be able to help you find the right equipment for the job, recommend the correct usage and give help with route selection. Remember that the retail world these days is a competitive one so prices should be keen. You won’t have to pay over the odds and the advice is free.

5) Look after your equipment and it will look after you. Many walkers quite rightly re-proof their boots with wax or water based products, but how many attend to the rest of their clothing? Gore-Tex and other high performance fabrics give excellent service when washed regularly in Tecwash and re-proofed occasionally with TX Direct. These help to shed rain much more effectively and ensure greater breathability and also prolong garment life and quality of use.

6) A pair of walking poles can be a godsend at all times of the year. Apart from helping to haul your body up a fell, they take the pressure of the knees all day long. In winter they are often useful to help wade through soft snow or balance across small patches of frozen paths, particularly when your winter rucksack is usually a bit heavier than the summer one. The straps are normally quite adjustable so they can be used with gloves.

7) We all take a few photographs whilst out walking. Unfortunately there are a lot of similar, disappointing shots in everyone’s collection. With a little thought and organisation the happy snapper’s results can be improved. Lighting is most important and here the weather is both a help and a hindrance. Use a flash for close ups in poor weather. Look for contrasts caused by shadows and morning and evening shots are most successful. Northerly air flows give us the clearest conditions so an early start on a clear day will reward you well.

8) In winter take some hot drink out with you. Soup, fruit juice, or energy drinks are best as tea and coffee are diuretic (they encourage water loss from the body) and dehydration is just as likely in winter as well as summer. If time allows, it’s sometimes fun to take a small backpacking stove and pan to heat drinks up whilst out on the hill. This can give the lunch stop quite a picnic feel to it.

9) Backpacking tents are getting lighter every year with a one-man, or woman, example weighing in at less than one kilo. Whilst a little on the pricey side, these high tech wonders make backpacking trips a real pleasure. Cheaper tents, starting at around fifty pounds or so, are a bit heavier as they tend to use fibreglass poles instead of alloy and heavier groundsheet material, which pushes the weight up to about four kilos on average. It you are sharing a tent and the load, an excellent backpacking tent such as the Vau De Hogan is £160.00 currently.

10) When walking with a group, especially where there are mixed abilities, it is important to keep to a pace which suits the weaker members. Sometimes fit walkers have difficulty in walking slowly so arrange to split up temporarily and meet again at pre-arranged points on your route. If you are a group leader keep a close watch on slow walkers for signs of hypothermia (slowness, cold or even irrational behaviour).

11) Get expert help with boot and shoe fitting. Feet don’t come in mass produced shapes and sizes so foot measurement, boot stretching, special insoles and various thicknesses of socks can be used to customise footwear. Even different lacing techniques can be of help. Boot makes vary also in the last shape that is used so trying alternatives on to improve your choice is important. Ask a specialist like Freetime for help.

12) Be aware of the effects of wind and cold. Temperature decreases with altitude so it is wise to take extra windproof clothing, gloves and a hat to be prepared for higher fells. Windchill has the effect of reducing temperature. For example, at around 0 degrees Celsius air temperature can go down to about minus 10 degrees with only 15 mph of wind. Wind can also be much more severe on exposed ground and ridges.

13) The ideal rucksack size for day walking is around 35litres capacity, although you may wish to increase this to 45 for winter use. This will allow sufficient space for food, spare clothing and accessories without being stuffed too full. Rucksack body lengths vary, and come in men’s and women’s models, so be sure to try a few models to get the correct size. In order that your sack supports the load well, make sure it never gets more than three-quarters full.

14) Wear a sleeveless, insulated vest or gilet to boost core body warmth. A good quality fleece version can be found for around £30 or there are models filled with either down or polyester which are a little more. The latest garments use primaloft, a synthetic insulation that has a down like feel. Much more packable than an extra jacket, these not only save weight and bulk but offer freedom of movement when being worn under a shell jacket.

15) Planning a big trip well, will contribute to its overall success and enjoyment. Even if the trip is part of a get fit / lose weight campaign or maybe a sponsored walk, remember to choose your diet carefully. Build into your training programme only a small daily calorie deficit rather than too much too quickly. Your body has to get used to any new regime. No-one is perfect so allow for the occasional set-back and you won’t feel too demotivated.

16) Winter walking can be experienced in a variety of conditions. Whilst the longest day is passed in January, the conditions become more severe in February and March. Frost and ice are obvious hazards. It isn’t unusual to find paths frozen low down in the valleys and the tops quite clear. Sometimes even crampons are needed to negotiate iced over tracks. These glass like conditions account for many more broken bones than climbers experience so be prepared to turn back if you are not adequately equipped.