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Walking Clothes - can you help!

Q. I am going walking in The Cairngorms in May and want to know what to wear.

I've been walking in Macclesfield forrest and Teggs Nose all my life (I am from Macc) in just jeans, any coat & any boots.

But this proper walking is all new. So should I wear t-shirt (is this a baselayer) fleece & waterproof trousers or overtrousers.

I have Alta 2 coat & Meindl Boots (Xmas presents).

I go in shops & they seem just to want to sell me the most expensive gear they have (I think some of them don't have a clue).

So please can someone help

Paul Dean,

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A. The Cairngorms presents a very different prospect to walking around Macclesfield Forest and Teggs Nose - see Walks ch101 ch223 .

The Cairngorms are very high and mountainous and you need to be properly equipped for long walks in wild and rocky terrain with extreme and sudden changes in the weather.

I was hiking the Cairngorms last summer and there was still plenty of snow (as well as strong wind and driving rain) up there - even in August.

See What to Wear for advice on clothing and What to Take for advice on nutrition and essential items that you should have with you.

Also make sure you have read and memorised the advice in Emergencies

For some independent advice on Waterproof Jackets, Fleece, Base Layers and Walking Boots see our Gear Tests (The Paramo Alta II and Meindle Boots both rate highly).

For some fantastic walks in the Cairngorms - see Walks in The Cairngorm Mountains

The Cairngorms is a fantastic place to go walking and hiking in - but beware, it can be very harsh on the unprepared.

Hope this helps

Mike (Editor)

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Walking Clothes - can you help!