WHY I WALK

I am often asked why I walk and to be truthful it is not easy to answer. I believe that walking gives you total freedom and at the same time getting some exercise without causing injuries like jogging. Freedom means the choice of walking at your own pace through a variety of countryside and looking and learning its secrets as you pass through. Freedom means the basics of life and you are master of your own destiny.

When I set off for the day I carry all I need on my back, be it for a day walk or an extended walk over days or months. I leave behind the trappings of modern life and break many of the accepted rules of walking, by walking alone, not informing anyone of where I am going and what my expected return is. I feel such niceties are restrictive and hinder one's freedom to dwell on places or extend the walk. I admit one must be careful and if conditions detrioate one must descend or seek shelter. Walking alone and facing the problems on the way enable one to know oneself totally and know how one reacts to situations and one's limitations. I don't carry a mobile phone for this is a trapping of modern life. To be out walking in solitude and suddenly the phone rings is an alarming thought; how can one be at peace with the countryside?

I walk not just for health but to see and explore an area of countryside. To follow a path by a stream and see a kingfisher flash by, or watch a dipper bobbing up and down on a rock are one of the delights and enchanting moments on a walk. To walk in Spring and see the different flowers emerging, the birds gathering twigs for their nests, the trees in bud and new leaves unfolding bring added pleasure to the scene. To walk into a village and look at the houses as you past, see the date stone or see a cheese press or stocks help to bring the village alive and see its past history. To look at the hall or other principal building, the inn with an unusual name makes one want to know more and perhaps at a later date a visit to the local history department of the nearby library to discover more. The church - the open book of village life - always deserves exploration. To wander around the gravestones and see the dates and inscriptions. To walk inside and see the ancient font or old tomb gives greater understanding to the walk.

I walk in the minimum of clothes for freedom. Only in winter do I wear long trousers preferring to wear shorts and a T shirt most of the time. Even in rain I prefer walking in shorts with a poncho keeping dry but allowing maximum movement and freedom. Boots are worn whatever the walk but a lightweight pair for use in a dry summer and a more heavier and leather boot for winter or rain. A camera and binoculars to record and see distant mountains or birds; and for seeking out the blazed route ahead or for locating a stile.

Whilst there is the undeniable joy of exploring the area being walked through there is the added challenge of effort and fitness. I don't believe I walk fast just a steady 3 miles (5km) per hour, which I maintain without a rest during the day. I walk anything between 8 to 12 hours everyday, for days on end. I enjoy the mastery of walking up hill and dale and being able to push myself to walk further. Alternatively knowing I have thirty miles to walk, that day, and being able to pace oneself and complete the task still feeling fit and no pain. Knowing also that I can walk further if necessary. I don't train for a long walk simply preferring to set off and walk myself in as I progress.

Walking is spiritual. Yes, I believe in God and I have prayed often on a walk for help and guidance and have never been let down. I have also thanked him for the wonders I have seen on the way. Who cannot be moved when ascending to a pass and seeing sprawled out before you some incredibly beautiful scene. Who can wonder that after ten days alone in the wilderness that I reach the precise point I have been walking to. Yes, it is skill but I have been helped along the way and "shown" the route.

Walking is addictive but not compulsive. I find no hardship in walking day after day a marathon or more with forty pounds or more on my back. I never want to give up and can't wait to start again in the morning. The return from a long walk means a day walk has little meaning and for a while I peer out of the window but find it hard to put on the boots. But after a while as I have readjusted back a little I become restless and "angry" and put the boots on and walk for a few hours. If after that I have not been out for a few days I start to get withdrawal symptoms and have to break free and go for a walk.

So walking for me is a way of life, giving me the freedom to explore the countryside at my own pace. No other hobby or job gives you so much - exercise, experience, delight, discovery, adventure and exploration at such a minimal cost. It is man's simplest form of travel - on foot - and the only way to explore the world.

MY WALKING PHILOSOPHY by John N. Merrill

I basically break many of the “accepted” rules of walking, but I believe my technique and approach has brought my walking to a higher level. Walking to me, is not physical fitness but having the right mental approach to the task. All you need is a strong faith and belief. I never consult with anyone or do any research beforehand. All this spoils the experience and “programmes” your mind to what is around the corner. I prefer not to know and discover as I go, this way making a greater impression on me. On a major walk at the end of each day, I run through the next day’s stage on the map, so that on setting off the next day I am already programmed as to my day’s destination. It is immaterial how far, how much ascent and descent, the day’s destination is the key. I do not tick of the miles as I go for this makes the day go slowly and pulls you down mentally. On hills I adopt a steady pace and ascend, never stopping. If you stop on the way this too pulls you down mentally making the ascent seem long. During the day I basically don’t stop for anything between 6 and 12 hours, just maintaining a steady comfortable pace. At the end of the day I have still enough energy and determination to carry on. To stop and restart part way through the day, means walking a couple of miles before I am in the “groove” again.

To many walking the Pennine Way is the ultimate walk, but after reaching Kirk Yetholm with 280 miles walked, you have hardly begun! By the time you have done that distance you have passed through the early stages of adjusting to your new way of life. The rucksack has become more bearable, the blisters have gone and your fitness has soared. But you need to walk 500 miles before you are settled into the task and have comfy feet. After 1,000 miles you are really adjusted and by 1,500 miles you can push yourself relentlessly. By 2,000 miles of continuous walking you are at your peak performance, but after 2,500 miles you are physically declining. You can reach your peak later by doing a reduced daily mileage but by 3,500 miles you are declining and by 4,000 miles I have usually lost 52 pounds in weight and struggling to walk well each day.

I always walk alone, so I can walk at my own pace. If you walk with others on a long walk if their pace is not compatible to yours you are more tired than they at the end of the day. Also you talk a lot which lessens the impact of the scenery and places on the way and you miss seeing the wildlife. I carry no mobile phone nor use poles. I usually wear T shirt and shorts but obviously warmer clothes in mountains and snow. In the pursuit of corporate money, the public are “brain washed” to stay in contact and drink water; they want the sales! I carry no water and don’t usually drink during the day for anything upto 8 or ten hours. This is no hardship even when walking across the Mohave desert in 120° F. Once you start to drink you want more and the more you drink the more you sweat. Buddhist monks take this approach and have never come to any harm.

Infact US Military studies on thirst, while desert walking, in World War 11 found that -

in 80° F heat a man can comfortably walk 45 miles without water.
in 100° F heat, 15 miles
in 120° F heat, 7 miles before collapsing.

Interestingly they found that walking 20 miles in the desert night, they recommended carrying 4 litres of water. During the day this increased to 8 litres.

Walking is the only way to fully appreciate the earth and you see it on its own terms.