Hill walking
I would very much like for there to be more allowance for exploring the outdoors and resuming hill walking.
Along side many others I find much benefit to my physical and mental health with hill walking.
Most of the time I have been hillwalking I have found it to be great expanses of space with out much contact with others and so it is an activity well suited to social distancing.
I understand some popular routes with easy access can be very busy (Ben Lawers, Schehallion,Nevis) but car parking restrictions could help with this.
There are arguments about the risk and possible strain on emergency services but this is an adult conversation and the vast majority of hillwalkers are responsible, and act within their own capabilities. This risk is also to be balanced against deteriorating mental health and the effect of more people trying to exercise in more restricted spaces. If there were restrictions against longer distance travel I personally would abide by them- my munro box ticking will be put on hold, I will walk locally- I just went to stretch my legs, see some scenery and get back in touch with nature.
Along side many others I find much benefit to my physical and mental health with hill walking.
Most of the time I have been hillwalking I have found it to be great expanses of space with out much contact with others and so it is an activity well suited to social distancing.
I understand some popular routes with easy access can be very busy (Ben Lawers, Schehallion,Nevis) but car parking restrictions could help with this.
There are arguments about the risk and possible strain on emergency services but this is an adult conversation and the vast majority of hillwalkers are responsible, and act within their own capabilities. This risk is also to be balanced against deteriorating mental health and the effect of more people trying to exercise in more restricted spaces. If there were restrictions against longer distance travel I personally would abide by them- my munro box ticking will be put on hold, I will walk locally- I just went to stretch my legs, see some scenery and get back in touch with nature.
Why the contribution is important
Because many people get benefits from hillwalking (physical and mental) which is low cost to society at large. Because it naturally falls in line with the principles of social distancing.
by dansimpson on May 06, 2020 at 04:25PM
Posted by Galaxygirl May 06, 2020 at 17:22
If this was permitted though i have no doubt literally everyone, (even those not usually) hikers, would be flocking out there and it would be so busy. Lots more people with little knowledge of hiking would probably end up in trouble, and if parking was restricted cars would as they usually do at hotspots, end up parked all along the roads outside of the designated parking
Walkhighlands had already been having a massive increase in web traffic in the run up to lockdown being officially announced
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by kdubya2307 May 06, 2020 at 17:45
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by ElaineRietveld May 06, 2020 at 17:47
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Allie May 06, 2020 at 17:54
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by nbain May 06, 2020 at 17:59
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Gconnal May 06, 2020 at 18:38
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by ScottBamford May 06, 2020 at 18:41
It is too early and will encourage travel of large distances and put strain on the mountain rescue teams who are all volunteers. I am sure they would also object to this proposal at this stage.
We need to remain close to home for our exercise for the time being.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by SteveV May 06, 2020 at 19:23
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by CatLawson May 06, 2020 at 19:54
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by davidrogers May 06, 2020 at 20:02
Some hills are more dangerous than others. They could be made out of bounds .
I suspect that lack of exercise, will lead to a greater demand on emergency services, than the odd person who has an accident on the hills.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by theresasheldon May 06, 2020 at 20:16
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by colinsparling May 06, 2020 at 20:23
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by KateDuffus May 06, 2020 at 20:43
The argument that this puts rescue teams at risk should be taken alongside the mental and physical health benefits of the activities.
I find it frustrating that I am not allowed to go kayaking, even though I live 100m from the sea and can walk there, but I am allowed to use my chainsaw in the garden. I know which is more likely to result in an accident.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Louisaburnett May 06, 2020 at 20:44
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by beatebennek May 07, 2020 at 01:20
Higher a guide !!!
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by johncunndainn May 07, 2020 at 07:56
The problem we will have on release of lockdown is that getting out will be such a novelty, that lots of people will do unsuitable things for a few days until the novelty wears off. There's no way of avoiding this. Timing it for a wet weekend might help!
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by snapier May 07, 2020 at 11:35
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by JohnA May 07, 2020 at 13:41
I think the wellbeing benefits would be great and the transmission downsides small.
There is a concern of Mountain Rescue and similar services being under more pressure if this is allowed. You could add some rules that would mitigate this, for example (as with everything in this lockdown, these are mostly self-policed anyway):
- Some guidance that only those with experience should be going outside.
- Not allowing it on days with a poor weather forecast.
- Having a time limit on how long you can go outdoors for.
- Requiring all outdoor activities (hikes etc.) to start before a certain time of day.
- Limiting access to beauty spots and heavily trafficked trails perhaps by using permits available on a website.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Kml172 May 07, 2020 at 15:34
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by juliewands May 07, 2020 at 15:34
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Trp May 08, 2020 at 08:44
There is a risk of many areas becoming too busy but people are going to have to learn to be sensible at some point if this isn’t going away.
Perhaps limit people’s journeys to 30 min drives from home or whatever distance is sensible to avoid rural areas becoming overwhelmed.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Seimei May 08, 2020 at 10:32
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by aloneinthehills May 08, 2020 at 11:05
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by auberdjinn May 08, 2020 at 13:49
I understand that people in rural communities are concerned about large numbers visitors spreading the virus, but there is no need to visit a village or come into any contact with locals in order to go hill-walking. People should be encouraged to take their lunch with them and fill the car up before they go. Of course everyone should use hand sanitiser when they get out of the car and before and after touching gates. There should be signs at car parks to encourage this.
Parking in villages could be restricted to locals only, except in case of an emergency. Likewise, parking at excessively popular spots should be restricted, and perhaps you could have flyers available at these locations with suggestions for alternative walks if the car park is full.
In the longer term, investment in walking infrastructure (toilets, car parks, kiosks away from villages etc) and rural communities (improved healthcare facilities, subsidised shops and delivery services) would make an increase in outdoor activity more sustainable and less risky.
Access to the countryside for exercise will ease overcrowding in urban spaces, which may help to reduce virus transmission overall. The increase in the number of interactions caused by people needing help from the emergency services etc. will likely be tiny compared to the reduction in the number of interactions in overcrowded urban parks.
Many people do not live in cities entirely by choice, but so they can earn a living. It's an unfortunate fact that most jobs are in cities. Spending time in nature is known to be extremely beneficial to mental wellbeing, and people should not be denied it just because they have no real choice but to live in a city.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by auberdjinn May 08, 2020 at 14:09
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by JLMBD May 09, 2020 at 13:26
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by LesleyMacKenzie May 09, 2020 at 15:07
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by waxwing May 09, 2020 at 16:13
Also (I know a number of doctors and nurses) hospitals are currently much quieter than usual! Routine operations have largely stopped and far fewer people are turning up at A&E. There is no lack of capacity in the NHS!
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Powlsa May 09, 2020 at 19:39
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by PDee May 09, 2020 at 22:32
I hear that there is multi-agency involvement in a rescue but many of the rescues are of those who are ill prepared. But I suspect these aren't where the overall risk is greatest in the bigger picture. And reduce it by introducing restrictions at popular car parks, including checking that walkers are adequately equipped, can read a map, etc. How many rescues will that avoid ? Hopefully even deters some idiots in the first place.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by kpm321 May 10, 2020 at 17:23
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Invicta May 10, 2020 at 20:26
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by matthew123 May 10, 2020 at 20:27
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by JuliaM May 11, 2020 at 08:52
It is difficult to monitor numbers in the hills by car parking restrictions. Many places do not have car parks . Where car parks are closed now, people still turn up & park their cars on the roads. Just look at the pictures of Snowdon pre lockdown of hundreds of cars parked down the main access roads?
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Bethany18 May 11, 2020 at 16:56
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)