GEAR DISSECTED
OUR FAVOURITE FIVE
Paths can be obscured by snow or poor visibility, and some of the more remote mountains simply don’t have them. Knowing how to navigate in the hills is essential, and so are the tools to do so.
Ordnance Survey Custom Made Map £20
A good map is a key navigation tool, and there are many to recommend. The Ordnance Survey Landranger (1:50k scale) and Explorer (1:25k) maps are both superb, while Harvey’s range of maps (1:25k and 1:40k) are tailored specifically for hikers, doing away with much of the unnecessary clutter found on other maps. But if you want something a bit special, a Custom Made Map from OS allows you to centre a map (Landranger or Explorer) on a point of your choosing, whether that’s to celebrate a favourite place, or simply to make it easier to navigate an area that would otherwise cross over two map sheets.
Lifeventure Waterproof Map Case £23
Paper maps can be vulnerable to damage from the rain, and even the most robust of waterproof maps can be whisked out of your hands by a strong gust. A waterproof case like this one from Lifeventure protects the paper and keeps it tethered to you, while still allowing you to use the map as you need to.
Shaven Raspberry Ultimate Navigation Reference Pack £24
Shaven Raspberry produces several navigation and emergency tools and prompt cards, and this pack bundles them all up in one easy to carry wallet. Included in the kit are Grid Reference Tools for OS and Harvey maps, Slope Angle Tools for OS and Harvey maps, a Navigators Timing Card, a Wind Speed Calculator Reference Card, a Navigation Strategy Card, First Aid and Emergency Call Prompt Cards, and a magnifying map readi
