Planning for upland fieldwork

The BMC site includes essential hill walking information and you can download a free 28-page

booklet about hill walking from this site.

Upland fieldwork

Before you start your upland fieldwork remember that:

•

this type of fieldwork involves walking long distances and coping with steep ascents, so

to ensure your safety you need to be certain that you are physically fit enough to

undertake strenuous walks,

•

it is essential to pack appropriate clothing and food,

•

you need to carry a detailed map of the area, so buy the correct map before you go into

the field and spend some time familiarising yourself with the terrain,

•

you need to know how to use a compass in order to find your position on a map,

•

you need to know what to do in an emergency,

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you are advised to get basic first aid training,

•

it is a good idea to check the long range weather forecast.

Upland landscapes

Pack the essential equipment to ensure your safety while you are working in upland areas: boots,

watch, first aid kit and survival bag, compass, detailed maps of the area, whistle and torch, mobile

phone.

Ensure that you obtain permission for access on land that may be privately owned. There may be

good reasons why you should not enter particular areas because of crops, hunting, livestock or

dangerous ground. If you do not observe these restrictions you may be placing yourself in

danger. It is particularly important to gain prior permission for access to military training areas

and moorland shooting estates. Finally, before you set out, don't forget to leave a note of your

expected route and/or working area and your expected time of return to base, with a responsible

person.

Crags and loose screes

Many crags appear to be stable, but they should be examined with caution. It may not be

possible to see the top from your location and you should never attempt steep climbs on crags.

Think about the risk and consequences of falls, becoming trapped at height and the problem of

falling rocks and debris.

Screes below a crag may provide a useful way of examining rocks in the cliff above, but take care.

Many screes are unstable and there is risk of falls, uncontrolled slides and rock avalanches.

Grassy slopes and rock slabs

Grassy slopes and rock slabs are sites of many accidents, particularly when wet. There is risk of

slipping, falling, sliding out of control and becoming stranded on the slope. There is a chance of

ending up with a sprain, broken limb and/or spinal and head injuries. You may not only injure

yourself, but you may also cause injury to others working below you.

Remember:

•

to always wear a safety helmet and good quality boots,

•

never to run down slopes,

•

never to traverse grassy slopes which become steeper above vertical rock faces,

•

always proceed with caution.

Weather conditions

Conditions in upland areas can change rapidly and are usually more severe than those at lower

altitudes. Temperatures can fall at a rate of 1 degree Celsius for every 100 metres increase in

altitude. The wind speed will also increase and this will decrease the apparent temperature by an

additional 'wind-chill factor'. For example, a temperature of 8 degrees Celsius in a light 24kph wind

at sea level will be represented by a temperature of -7degrees Celsius and a 35kph wind at 300m

above sea level.

Waterfalls and streams are

often surrounded by wet,

algae and moss covered

rocks which are slippery.

There is risk of falling and

serious injury and

drowning. Never climb

down waterfalls and

remember that if you are

following a stream as a

means of descent, it is very

easy to walk off the top of a

waterfall when visibility is

poor.

Waterfalls

Crossing rivers

Take care, even when crossing small streams, because wet rocks and boulders can be very slippery.

Remember to step carefully onto rocks above water and avoid jumping from boulder to boulder in

the river. If weather conditions deteriorate during the day, small streams that were easy to cross

earlier in the day may become raging torrents. If you are working in areas where streams and rivers

are fed by snow or glacial meltwater remember that flow conditions will increase as ice/snow melts.

River crossing should be avoided if you are alone.

Boggy ground

Boggy ground can be very tiring to cross and may cause you to become trapped. There is risk of

stumbling, which may result in loss of footwear and twisted ankles. Wetting in boggy areas may

lead to hypothermia.

Learn to identify sphagnum moss, marram grass and other plants that indicate boggy ground

conditions. Remember that bogs can occur on moorland, in woodland and in forested areas.

Old mines and mineral workings

Old mine workings are often easily entered via

adits, but remember that there may be hidden

dangers in these adits.

Many adits are unstable and roof collapse may

occur.

There is also the chance that the floors inside

mine workings may not be supported.

You also need to be aware that:

•

old mine workings may be overgrown with

vegetation and so may be hard to recognise,

•

underground levels may open out into deep

shafts without warning,

•

what appears as a puddle in a horizontal

tunnel may be a flooded mine shaft.

Exhaustion

If you are very tired after physical activity during fieldwork you may become drowsy or lose

concentration. This may increase the risk of tripping and falling and injuring yourself. There is also

the possibility that you may become immobilised and unable to get back to base before nightfall.

These are the reasons why you need to ensure that:

•

you are physically fit before you start your fieldwork,

•

the distances you plan to cover are realistic and match your level of fitness,

•

you move at a steady pace and do not try to sprint around or race up hills.

Remember that consumption of alcohol even on the day before may affect your stamina in the field.

Getting Lost

If you become lost, either through a lapse or concentration or due to poor weather conditions

there is risk of isolation and panic setting in and of walking onto dangerous terrain.The risk of

getting lost can be minimised by:

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staying in contact with your group if you are in a supervised party,

•

knowing your destination,

•

carrying a compass and good quality maps,

•

referring to maps frequently and getting into the habit of matching features around you with

those shown on the map.