GP’s winter walk checklist


This chilly, winter weather often leaves us wanting to do nothing more than snuggle up on the sofa in front of a flickering fire. But stay indoors constantly over the festive season and there’s a risk of developing cabin fever...

Don’t let the dark afternoons put you off going for Christmassy walks! The great outdoors is a magical place to be this time of year: the air is crisp, frost-covered trees sparkle and, if you’re lucky, you might even see some snow.

From National Trust walks to woodland wanders, a winter stroll is a great chance to spend some quality time with your family, blow away those cobwebs and work off any excess mince pies. Here’s GP’s handy checklist of seven things to take with you when you’re walking in a winter wonderland:

1. Extra layers














You’re wearing your coat, hat, scarf and gloves, but if it’s a particularly chilly day, add some layers in the form of thermals, long johns, fleeces and mountain socks. Jack Frost will be much less likely to nip at your fingers and toes!





















There’s a good chance your walk will provide many a picture-perfect moment. Keep your smartphone and camera topped-up with a GP PowerBank 3C15A – this, and other larger capacity PowerBanks have the capability of boosting two devices at once.

3. Flask of hot drink














For your mid-walk respite when you want to soak in the view, pack a flask of your favourite hot beverage, whether it’s tea, coffee or hot choccy for the kids. Don’t forget to pack plenty of water too to stay hydrated.

4. High energy snacks














Keep those energy levels topped up with some tasty snacks to enjoy with your hot drink. If you think you’ve overdone it on the Christmas cake, prepare a healthy trail mix of fruit and nuts, or pack some energy-boosting bananas.

5. Pocket first-aid kit














In case a short stroll turns into a mighty trek, bring a basic first-aid kit along with you so that you can patch up any blisters with plasters. Also, icy conditions means there’s a greater chance of slips and slides, so it’s a good idea to be prepared.

6. beam – Task P36


The dark descends quickly during winter, so be safe and be seen with the slim and portable beam Task P36 from GP. This torch is hardwearing yet compact, meaning it fits easily in your rucksack, and has a run time of two hours at 100%.

7. Route plan














If your adventurous streak kicks in and you end up venturing off-piste on your walk, be sure to bring a map with you. Rather than a bulky paper version, download one on your phone - even more of a reason to take your GP PowerBank as a battery back-up!


With all of your winter walk essentials packed and ready to go, you just need to plan your route, round up your family, wrap up warm and enjoy. Merry Christmas!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 4 benefits of walking every day – and how to stick at it

Image
Did you know that dog owners walk 79% further than non-dog owners? Great news for those with a canine companion...not so great for the rest of us who don’t have a beloved pooch to pry us out of our homes when it’s cold and wet outside. Dog or no dog, walking is a great way to get fit and lead a healthier lifestyle. Nature is free, not to mention the environmental advantages of walking instead of driving or catching the bus. Sure, walking outside isn’t so appealing in the winter months. But spring is just around the corner and soon, those lighter, warmer evenings will be tempting you to step outside and make the most of the great outdoors. There are lots of reasons to try and incorporate more walking into your day-to-day life. Here are four key benefits of walking every day for starters: 1.Reach your 150 minutes Walking can count towards the NHS’ recommended 150 minutes of exercise minimum per week, for people aged 19-64. A leisurely stroll through the park w...
Read more

7 perfect Christmas gift ideas for her

Image
These days, isn’t it just easier to ask the women in your life what they want for Christmas? At least you won’t get it horribly wrong that way… However, while it might be easier, every girl wants a surprise gift or two! The GP team has found seven gifts for her that are sure to bring a smile to her face – and we don’t mean a fake one… 1. Black+Blum Eau Good Charcoal Filter Water Bottle - £19.95 The water bottle trend has gone up another gear in 2017. But not all reusable water bottles are created equal – we think the best one you can buy right now is the Black+Blum Eau Water Bottle. It comes with a binchotan active charcoal filter, which has been used in Japan as a water purifier since the 17th century. Tap water never tasted so good! 2. GP PowerBank Mobile Charger - £8.99 Unfortunately, smartphone batteries can’t always be relied upon to last the day, meaning our GP PowerBanks are fast becoming a handbag essential. The FN03M mobile charger is stylish wit...
Read more

Time for a digital detox? 6 tips to help you reconnect

Image
  We all know when we’re using our smartphones too much. You put it down, only to pick it up again. There might not even be a notification on the lock screen. If that sounds like you, don’t worry... you’re not alone. Lots of people find it difficult to unplug from the world, even for a short while. In fact, the average person in the UK checks their phone every 12 minutes throughout the day! To mark the USA’s National Day of Unplugging on March 1-2, we’re inspiring our UK readers to join those on the other side of the pond by taking a ‘digital detox’. So, here are some ways you and your family (particularly if you have teens or tweens in the house!) can reconnect and enjoy some time away from your devices: 1.   List what you love Sit down with your family and write a list of all the things you enjoy doing in life – running, meditating, reading – but currently aren’t making enough time to do. Hopefully you’ll get to the end of the list and realise...
Read more