How to climb the mountain?

How do you climb a mountain?

• Hi guys, Right this is a little sudden but this Sunday I’ve been dragged in to climb Ben Lomond (Scotland) which is something I’ve never done before! I’m not an overly fit guy. I can hold my own but to be honest I’ve never climbed a mountain and I don’t know what to expect. I’ve basically got 3 days to prepare, what’s everyone’s suggestions for me to get ready for this. Cheers folks

• Answer:

  Hi from the sunny Isle of Man....for a change. Nice walking weather for mountains. Ben Lomond eh? He's gone fishing....... Oh that Ben....ahhhh, no problems. I was there a couple of weeks ago. First it isn't climbing as in ropes and stuff. It's a long slow walk to the top. How to go slow on a mountain. Go fast and run out of puff. Then go fast again and collapse. That's you done for then. Won't be going anywhere. OK, try another way. How to go fast on a mountain Go slow and steady and keep going slow and steady, take a break and then keep going slow and steady again, then have another break and keep going slow and steady again, all the way up. That way you make the best progress and you get to the top feeling OK, or as OK as you can be anyway. You get a slow steady rhythm and that's the secret of getting good at mountain walking.. Get into a rhythm of moving and move rhythmically not jiggery pockery all over the place with fast steps here and then slow ones and skip over that bit and lurch over this bit, which all wastes energy. Slow rhythmic constant movement uses energy the best. You've heard the same about runners haven't you? Get into a rhythm and it carries you along more easily then and doesn't waste energy. Next bit. How to go really fast on a mountain. Get fit and run all the way up it. You just missed the last race on Ben Lomond a couple of weeks ago. http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0035 You can't get any fitter in three days than you are now but you can give yourself the best start. Plenty of good food plenty of rest and plenty of sleep starting now. You want unplenty enough of walking if you can fit some in. Not too much plenty enough or too hard so you're ruined before you start, just enough to get yourself moving with a bit of weight in a pack, get the knees and ankles and hip joints going and a bit of decent air getting in to the lungbox and oxygenating you all round. Plenty of food then and plenty of sleep. Take a couple of bike rides as well if you've got a bike. You get the joints moving without a load of weight on them then. Just steady riding, no over-doing it. Then you have a nice long rest day the day before you go, and plenty of food and an early night.. Then you pack the waterproofs, some sandwiches and pies and some biscuits and snack bars, a flask of tea or coffee and a bottle of water or fruit juice, a small first aid kit for cuts and scratches and a crepe bandage in case you twist a knee or ankle, a map and if you want one a compass but the track is good and you don't need one if you stay on it because you can see the lay of the land from the map and from looking around quite easily enough, and a phone in case you need to call for some help for yourselves or somebody else, and a camera to record the moments of triumph and agony. .. oh noooo.....coffee's cold. Stooopid flask....should have had a stove and brew kit with you. You put on the walking boots or if it's dry then trainers are OK, get the coat on, tell somebody where you're going and let them know when you get back so they don't send out a search party thinking you're lost or injured, and head off to the foot of the Ben to get there early enough in the day so it's light when you get back again. Have a rest and something to eat and drink and then start going up, slow and steady. Have a great time. Want a surprise? here's Ben Lomond Peak.... in Utah, USA http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=4I_adWlF-0o Here's the one beside Loch Lomond in Scotland that you want and where I went to a couple of weeks ago Don't get the wrong bus haha. It's a long swim back from the USA http://www.incallander.co.uk/walks/benlomond.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdwcxdPCsVM