I never used to pay any attention to footcare but I had some horrible blisters once and thought I’d do my best to stop it happening again. So far so good! 🤞
@@karenguttridge Yes, it was Chanctonbury Ring. I've also camped on Firle Beacon, Blackcap, and Cissbury Ring. Have my eye on a Norman Motte and Bailey castle for after lockdown 👍. As you say, a problem on the South Downs is water, not like the Lake District where there is lots of it.
@@thecampingastronomer8554 Ooo your post lockdown plans sound interesting! I can’t decide what to plan for. I’m thinking of choosing a less popular trail as I’m expecting half the country to be getting outdoors!
@@karenguttridge Am also craving mountains. Will look to do a (long) day trip to the Brecon Beacons in May with a view to scouting out a wild camp spot for June.
@@thecampingastronomer8554 There are some lovely camping spots in the Brecon Beacons, I hear 😍 I’m going to search out a few spots closer to home first-almost forgotten how to put my tent up..! 🤣
Excellent video. Many thanks Kaz for sharing your tips and experiences. I’m thinking about doing three days on the Downs soon. I’ve heard many of the water taps just didn’t exist anymore? Thanks again! Ben
Hi Ben 😊 I did find some of the taps hard to find so maybe they weren’t actually even there! Not sure.. I’d definitely top up water at any opportunity-I walked past a couple of mobile coffee vans and didn’t bother but later wished I’d bought bottled water from them and shoved it in my pack. Having said that I did do the trail when many of the pubs were still closed (COVID) so it might be easier to access water now. Have fun on your 3 days-it’s a gorgeous trail! 😃
Great stuff Karen! Specific & general are always useful (did you bring a water filter?), the heads up on the wildcamping thing is always good to know - gonna check your SDW vid to enjoy the big picture - too many trails, too little time!...atb Sinco
😊 I didn’t take a water filter on this one as there’s so few sources. I had issues with finding water I think as lockdown had only just ended and many of the pubs and tea rooms hadn’t yet reopened. I think accessing water would normally be fine. Definitely mark the tap locations on a map though! As I said many of the wild camping options are just a question of getting off trail and pitching up. One nice spot though is Chanctonbury Ring where you can tuck away amongst the trees! 👍
Thanks , I think walks were great, I was doing similar but in london , during that time, the hot weather was almost everyday so I couldn’t stay inside, you were able to be out in the green area to enjoy it more , yet it still seemed very thirsty - the weather made it thirsty , I see what you mean about the water taps - along the way - Have things improved , did you do another walk like it again recently or was it a one off because of circumstances, I try to keep up my stamina bu doing small long walks here and there, I got to cuckmere SD National park from Eastbourne rather unplanned one afternoon, and was surprised how close it was yet the slopes were the problem mostly - so it may be a matter of walking on road path - I think it’s possible - and maybe a little noisier-
Another fab video Kaz. The South Downs Way was my first wild camping experience. It was also my first experience using Guthook app which was brilliant (especially the water sources). Camel up is a great tip! The cyclists were a nightmare, another good tip about headphones. The hard ground was a real surprise for me and I ended up getting shin splints so your tips on looking after your feet 🦶 is great. Love the tips about warming up the tape (I’ve never thought of doing that!). Happy Hiking 🥾- Julia
@@karenguttridge It was actually more difficult than I expected, plus I remember being very nervous. The first night was on a campsite (with a load of foreign workers which was a bit scary!), then I stayed in a pub garden (nice landlady!). I wild camped on the escarpment twice, then on a campsite in Cocking and the YHA (forgot where). So I did the same as you and mixed it up a bit. The best campsite was at the halfway stage. (I need to look back at my vlogs to remember the name of the town - somewhere beginning with A).
@@TheAdventureGeek Very similar to what I did and I was nervous too! I think the village with the great campsite was probably Amberley-a really good one there 👍
Thanks Kaz for a good talk. Now South Downs Way is very different from trails in Norway, but some of your advice is very valid not matter where you travel and hike. Good planning saves a lot of bother and so does good feet care! I guess you would be amazed if you tried some of the Norwegian long distance trails - no problem finding places for wild camping there:)
I would absolutely LOVE to do some trails in Norway-definitely on my bucket list 😍 I’ve also got my eye on this for 2022! www.msm.no/en/arrangement/midnight-sun-marathon/
@@karenguttridge Now I live in the city and I have been running here for years, so the idea of paying a lot to run in the middle of the night is not so inspiring:) Mind you - the biggest risk is that you might have very poor weather with rain and just a few degrees. I think you might have a more amazing time going for a wild hike for a few days in the area - and might be cheaper. Depends on how important it is to run....
@@ArcticNatureExperiences Haha... I understand why it doesn’t appeal to you 🤣 I have read a few accounts of the marathon and everyone does seem to get rained on A LOT 😆 Maybe your suggestion is better (I’m not totally set on running it) and I could do a hike. Sounds just as amazing 😍 Can I ask your advice nearer the time?
Hi Kaz Thanks for the very useful tips. I am planning to do the South downs way as a charity walk in April. I have done the Ridgeway in 3 sep.sections, but plan to do the whole of the SDW over a 8 to 10 day period wild camping on the way (am 73 yrs old with a dodgy knee 😬) How does the SDW compare with The Ridgeway terrain wise?. Best Wishes Les
Hi Les 😊 What a great trip you have planned! I haven’t walked The Ridgeway but from what I’ve heard the terrain is fairly similar to the SDW. The Ridgeway is a little easier to walk as it’s less hilly. I think your time estimate for the walk is good-I hope you have an amazing time! 😍
Hi Kaz! I love your videos, so encouraging. Since my last comment on your video I’ve got myself all ready, I always take my fully loaded pack for stamina building walks and I’m preparing to start the SDW. My question, no matter how much you prepare, there must be some days when you don’t put enough miles in to get you to the campsite/pub/etc you’ve booked. So how do you mitigate that? Did you have a long break during the day for lunch/cuppa tea?? Just to break up the walk I guess. I’m not quite sure how many miles to plan for myself each day. I’m hoping to walk 10 miles per day but....that’s what I mean about planning. I’m not sure if I’ll do more or less than that. It’s going to be just me and the dog. I can’t wait!!!
Hi Vivien-great! You’re going to have a fab time! When I’m preparing for a multi day hike I always plan very carefully to make sure I reach my camp each night so the question of not making the sites didn’t happen. I would try to alternate long/shorter mileage days. I think my shortest day was 8 miles and longest about 16 or so. The mileage is dictated by where you plan to stay really. If the case ever does arise that I don’t get to my planned stop for the night then as I’m carrying a tent I would just find somewhere suitable to pitch it and stay there. Not ideal but if I had to that’s what I would do. I’m hiking around the Isle of Wight next week and am just going unplanned-nothing booked... it gives me freedom with daily mileage and we’ll see where I end up staying!
@@karenguttridge you got anything planned im hoping to dona hike called the Heart of England Way thats 100miles aswell but passes within 5 miles of my house 😁
@@dazbass007 I have lots I want to do but I’m waiting to be sure the lockdown is really ending before I plan! I fancy the Cotswold Way, Hadrian’s Wall, Coast to Coast-lots! I’m going to try and pick a less popular one to start I think as I expect the trails to be crowded...
Can I ask advice about walking from Lewes to Newhaven - not far really , but I’m new to it , and I want to do it at least three times a week , since I don’t want to take train and I want to take in the scenery , however - I’m told it takes 5 hours -,well I want to know if since I’m a casual Walker - and I take it moderate pace - is there any advice about cutting down a five hour walk without rushing, and actually just avoiding as many exhausting slopes as possible - I’m ok doing them but I just want to find a way that is less time consuming but very enjoyable too at the same time ...thanks . Marianne
Hi Marianne-are you talking about a return walk-so Lewis to Newhaven and back? Lewis to Newhaven is around 7 miles so wouldn’t take 5 hours. To do it in the shortest time you’d be walking either on B roads (which is usually fine) and alongside some A roads (busier and noisier) but if you wanted a shorter time and less hills, I think that would be the way 😊
I hope you are able to get out on the trail again soon! The South Down Ways sound amazing. I have issues with under my foot on the upper pad, I get a harder callus. Is there a way to prevent this?
I’m not sure if it will prevent it completely but I suffer with that area of my foot and I find that the more footcare I do (such as massaging in oils and creams to soften the area) the better. Before going hiking, I always cover the pads of my feet with the tape I mentioned or a similar barrier pad. Plus thick socks. Good luck!
Hi Marianne 😊 I only found one shepherds hut as I walked the SDW. There may possibly be more but that would mean walking quite a way from the trail at the end of the day to get there. I couldn’t face that! This is the one I stayed in manorfarmcocking.co.uk/hutcabin.html
Thanks for the info - so far - .... !!!!!!!!! I enjoyed the videos - another thing when you say lots of cyclists on the path and joggers etc - it does sound a little busy still - obviously not all the time - yet I’m shocked how there lots of people out and about in these out of the way places
Thank you Kaz for the link to this video - great addition!
Great! I’m glad it was useful 😃
Alot of cracking tips there kaz, 👌, brilliant stuff, good health and safe travels, cheers craig
Great to know the tips are useful-thanks for letting me know! 😃
Good tips ! Water, so important to know where to find some. Ready steady go 😀.
Thanks! Usually water is not a problem in the U.K. 🤣 but it is on this trail...
good video and good tips i think footcare is so important must be the main reason most people end up going home early from longer , multi-day, walks.
I never used to pay any attention to footcare but I had some horrible blisters once and thought I’d do my best to stop it happening again. So far so good! 🤞
This is just down the road for me Kaz. I enjoyed watching this video thanks for sharing 👍
Yes I remember your fab video where I think you were camping at Chanctonbury Ring... I think..? Such a beautiful trail! 😍
@@karenguttridge Yes, it was Chanctonbury Ring. I've also camped on Firle Beacon, Blackcap, and Cissbury Ring. Have my eye on a Norman Motte and Bailey castle for after lockdown 👍. As you say, a problem on the South Downs is water, not like the Lake District where there is lots of it.
@@thecampingastronomer8554 Ooo your post lockdown plans sound interesting! I can’t decide what to plan for. I’m thinking of choosing a less popular trail as I’m expecting half the country to be getting outdoors!
@@karenguttridge Am also craving mountains. Will look to do a (long) day trip to the Brecon Beacons in May with a view to scouting out a wild camp spot for June.
@@thecampingastronomer8554 There are some lovely camping spots in the Brecon Beacons, I hear 😍 I’m going to search out a few spots closer to home first-almost forgotten how to put my tent up..! 🤣
Excellent video. Many thanks Kaz for sharing your tips and experiences. I’m thinking about doing three days on the Downs soon. I’ve heard many of the water taps just didn’t exist anymore? Thanks again! Ben
Hi Ben 😊 I did find some of the taps hard to find so maybe they weren’t actually even there! Not sure.. I’d definitely top up water at any opportunity-I walked past a couple of mobile coffee vans and didn’t bother but later wished I’d bought bottled water from them and shoved it in my pack. Having said that I did do the trail when many of the pubs were still closed (COVID) so it might be easier to access water now. Have fun on your 3 days-it’s a gorgeous trail! 😃
Sounds like an interesting trail Kaz. Some great tips too. I do like those coastal path walks. Definitely a National Trail to consider at some point
You’ll be a wild camping pro by then!
Great stuff Karen! Specific & general are always useful (did you bring a water filter?), the heads up on the wildcamping thing is always good to know - gonna check your SDW vid to enjoy the big picture - too many trails, too little time!...atb Sinco
😊 I didn’t take a water filter on this one as there’s so few sources. I had issues with finding water I think as lockdown had only just ended and many of the pubs and tea rooms hadn’t yet reopened. I think accessing water would normally be fine. Definitely mark the tap locations on a map though! As I said many of the wild camping options are just a question of getting off trail and pitching up. One nice spot though is Chanctonbury Ring where you can tuck away amongst the trees! 👍
Thanks , I think walks were great, I was doing similar but in london , during that time, the hot weather was almost everyday so I couldn’t stay inside, you were able to be out in the green area to enjoy it more , yet it still seemed very thirsty - the weather made it thirsty , I see what you mean about the water taps - along the way - Have things improved , did you do another walk like it again recently or was it a one off because of circumstances, I try to keep up my stamina bu doing small long walks here and there, I got to cuckmere SD National park from Eastbourne rather unplanned one afternoon, and was surprised how close it was yet the slopes were the problem mostly - so it may be a matter of walking on road path - I think it’s possible - and maybe a little noisier-
Cool tips for the walks.. i'd love to give them a try. The water taps are a great point and not wearing headphones :) i'd love to camp :)
Definitely have a go at camping if you fancy it! So calming to be close to nature like that 😃👍
I also like to sleep in a bed regularly when going on a longer trail. 😁 I don't often have blisters! Lucky for me! ATB Kaat
It’s just bliss to sleep in a real bed when you’ve been out on the trail for a few days..! 😍
Another fab video Kaz. The South Downs Way was my first wild camping experience. It was also my first experience using Guthook app which was brilliant (especially the water sources). Camel up is a great tip! The cyclists were a nightmare, another good tip about headphones. The hard ground was a real surprise for me and I ended up getting shin splints so your tips on looking after your feet 🦶 is great. Love the tips about warming up the tape (I’ve never thought of doing that!). Happy Hiking 🥾- Julia
Hi Julia-how did you find the wild camping? Was it easy to find spots and did you do it often? 😊
@@karenguttridge It was actually more difficult than I expected, plus I remember being very nervous. The first night was on a campsite (with a load of foreign workers which was a bit scary!), then I stayed in a pub garden (nice landlady!). I wild camped on the escarpment twice, then on a campsite in Cocking and the YHA (forgot where). So I did the same as you and mixed it up a bit. The best campsite was at the halfway stage. (I need to look back at my vlogs to remember the name of the town - somewhere beginning with A).
@@TheAdventureGeek Very similar to what I did and I was nervous too! I think the village with the great campsite was probably Amberley-a really good one there 👍
@@karenguttridge Amberley - that's it! I have the whole place to myself and it was awesome!
That was very useful Kaz thanks for your time and effort in producing and sharing with us. ATB Dave aka wackyswanderings
Thanks Dave! So glad you found it useful 😃👍
Thanks Kaz for a good talk. Now South Downs Way is very different from trails in Norway, but some of your advice is very valid not matter where you travel and hike. Good planning saves a lot of bother and so does good feet care! I guess you would be amazed if you tried some of the Norwegian long distance trails - no problem finding places for wild camping there:)
I would absolutely LOVE to do some trails in Norway-definitely on my bucket list 😍 I’ve also got my eye on this for 2022! www.msm.no/en/arrangement/midnight-sun-marathon/
@@karenguttridge You know that is my place? I can say a lot about the MSM.....
@@ArcticNatureExperiences Ooo tell me more!!
@@karenguttridge Now I live in the city and I have been running here for years, so the idea of paying a lot to run in the middle of the night is not so inspiring:) Mind you - the biggest risk is that you might have very poor weather with rain and just a few degrees. I think you might have a more amazing time going for a wild hike for a few days in the area - and might be cheaper. Depends on how important it is to run....
@@ArcticNatureExperiences Haha... I understand why it doesn’t appeal to you 🤣 I have read a few accounts of the marathon and everyone does seem to get rained on A LOT 😆 Maybe your suggestion is better (I’m not totally set on running it) and I could do a hike. Sounds just as amazing 😍 Can I ask your advice nearer the time?
Hi Kaz
Thanks for the very useful tips.
I am planning to do the South downs way as a charity walk in April. I have done the Ridgeway in 3 sep.sections, but plan to do the whole of the SDW over a 8 to 10 day
period wild camping on the way (am 73 yrs old with a dodgy knee 😬)
How does the SDW compare with The Ridgeway terrain wise?.
Best Wishes
Les
Hi Les 😊 What a great trip you have planned! I haven’t walked The Ridgeway but from what I’ve heard the terrain is fairly similar to the SDW. The Ridgeway is a little easier to walk as it’s less hilly. I think your time estimate for the walk is good-I hope you have an amazing time! 😍
Hi Kaz! I love your videos, so encouraging. Since my last comment on your video I’ve got myself all ready, I always take my fully loaded pack for stamina building walks and I’m preparing to start the SDW.
My question, no matter how much you prepare, there must be some days when you don’t put enough miles in to get you to the campsite/pub/etc you’ve booked. So how do you mitigate that?
Did you have a long break during the day for lunch/cuppa tea?? Just to break up the walk I guess.
I’m not quite sure how many miles to plan for myself each day. I’m hoping to walk 10 miles per day but....that’s what I mean about planning. I’m not sure if I’ll do more or less than that.
It’s going to be just me and the dog. I can’t wait!!!
Hi Vivien-great! You’re going to have a fab time! When I’m preparing for a multi day hike I always plan very carefully to make sure I reach my camp each night so the question of not making the sites didn’t happen. I would try to alternate long/shorter mileage days. I think my shortest day was 8 miles and longest about 16 or so. The mileage is dictated by where you plan to stay really. If the case ever does arise that I don’t get to my planned stop for the night then as I’m carrying a tent I would just find somewhere suitable to pitch it and stay there. Not ideal but if I had to that’s what I would do.
I’m hiking around the Isle of Wight next week and am just going unplanned-nothing booked... it gives me freedom with daily mileage and we’ll see where I end up staying!
@@karenguttridge oooo I was talking to my son about IOW. Very pretty place for walking. Enjoy.
Would you be able to link some of the places you stayed? Thank you Karen!
Can relate to a few of those kaz as it was the last national trail I did sept last year.😁atb daz
Hi Daz-yes me too-that’s when I did it 😃 Can’t wait to get going again!
@@karenguttridge you got anything planned im hoping to dona hike called the Heart of England Way thats 100miles aswell but passes within 5 miles of my house 😁
@@dazbass007 I have lots I want to do but I’m waiting to be sure the lockdown is really ending before I plan! I fancy the Cotswold Way, Hadrian’s Wall, Coast to Coast-lots! I’m going to try and pick a less popular one to start I think as I expect the trails to be crowded...
thanks for the tips,enjoyed the explanation.what is the tape called?
Hi! I’m glad you found the tips useful 😃 The tape is kinesiology tape (link is in the description) 😊
Can I ask advice about walking from Lewes to Newhaven - not far really , but I’m new to it , and I want to do it at least three times a week , since I don’t want to take train and I want to take in the scenery , however - I’m told it takes 5 hours -,well I want to know if since I’m a casual Walker - and I take it moderate pace - is there any advice about cutting down a five hour walk without rushing, and actually just avoiding as many exhausting slopes as possible - I’m ok doing them but I just want to find a way that is less time consuming but very enjoyable too at the same time ...thanks . Marianne
Hi Marianne-are you talking about a return walk-so Lewis to Newhaven and back? Lewis to Newhaven is around 7 miles so wouldn’t take 5 hours. To do it in the shortest time you’d be walking either on B roads (which is usually fine) and alongside some A roads (busier and noisier) but if you wanted a shorter time and less hills, I think that would be the way 😊
I hope you are able to get out on the trail again soon! The South Down Ways sound amazing. I have issues with under my foot on the upper pad, I get a harder callus. Is there a way to prevent this?
I’m not sure if it will prevent it completely but I suffer with that area of my foot and I find that the more footcare I do (such as massaging in oils and creams to soften the area) the better. Before going hiking, I always cover the pads of my feet with the tape I mentioned or a similar barrier pad. Plus thick socks. Good luck!
@@karenguttridge Thank you, I will try the ahead of hiking foot care to see if that helps.
@@KathysOutdoorAdventures Hope it works for you-let me know how you get on!
Hi Kaz Im interested in Shepherd huts / and hiking alone , how many are there along the way in just the South Downs area ?
Hi Marianne 😊 I only found one shepherds hut as I walked the SDW. There may possibly be more but that would mean walking quite a way from the trail at the end of the day to get there. I couldn’t face that! This is the one I stayed in manorfarmcocking.co.uk/hutcabin.html
Nice job I also make workout videos just subscribed to you ☺️👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for the info - so far - .... !!!!!!!!! I enjoyed the videos - another thing when you say lots of cyclists on the path and joggers etc - it does sound a little busy still - obviously not all the time - yet I’m shocked how there lots of people out and about in these out of the way places