Planning & Preparation
When it comes to planning and preparation, I am a bit of a geek. As much as I would love to be seen as some maverick flying by the seat of my pants into adventures, the reality is far less rock 'n' roll. Almost everything I do has much planning and prep behind it.
I like to know the details. When, where, what, how. And I always have a plan.
When going out for a meal, I'm the kind of bloke who has already scoured the restaurant's menu online and made my choice before I've even got there.
"Do you need a few extra minutes, sir?"
"No thanks, mate, I made my choice three weeks ago."
But not everyone thinks like this.
Lately, on my weekly trips into the hills, I've noticed an increasing number of people out on the trails, especially younger ones, which, in theory, is excellent. I'm all for people getting into the great outdoors. But there's a problem. Many of them have absolutely no clue what they're doing and have done zero preparation.
A couple of months back, while tromping around Derbyshire, I passed three young women standing at a fork in the trail, staring at their phone, turning it this way and that, with very confused looks on their faces.
These are the people I now call "The Instagram Hikers."
Out in the wild for the sole purpose of snapping a perfectly filtered shot to prove they "love nature" despite being wildly unprepared for anything nature might throw at them.
They were in spotless white Nike Airs, leggings that had never seen a bramble, and hoodies that looked about as waterproof as a paper bag.
It was a damp day after weeks of wet days, and the underfoot conditions resembled a quagmire. I was lathered in mud, my boots barely distinguishable from the earth beneath them, and even with proper hiking boots on, I was struggling to stay upright.
They asked me if I knew where Bamford Edge was. I pointed in the general direction and started explaining the way. Left here, right at the next fork, follow the ridge line and so on. I also suggested that their choice of footwear might be an issue, and perhaps the better option was to come back when it was dryer or they had some shoes capable of actually getting up the side of the hill.
The look on their faces told me they understood absolutely none of my directions, and my advice on the shoes had fallen on deaf ears; these lasses were on a mission.
In the end, I just sighed, pointed at the big hill in the distance, and said, "Keep walking up until you can't go up anymore. That's Bamford Edge."
Off they trotted, and I continued on my route. I have no idea if they reached the top and got their Instagram-worthy shot, but I suspect it probably all ended in a muddy mess not long after our encounter. A potentially great day out ruined by lack of planning and preparation.
This isn't just about hiking. It's about life. Inspiration and motivation will only get you so far. At some point, reality will smack you in the mouth, and if you're not prepared, you'll be found wanting.
You don't get fit by watching gym reels on TikTok. You don't build a business by reading motivational quotes. And you sure as hell don't climb a mountain in box-fresh trainers just because some influencer made it look easy.
Preparation isn't always sexy; it can be boring as hell, but it's what separates success from failure. It's the difference between those who talk about doing it and those who actually do. And in a world where too many people chase the dopamine hit of a quick win, those who take the time to do things properly will always be the ones who come out on top.
So, if you're going to do something, anything, and want to do it well, be sure to plan and prepare properly. And if you ever feel the urge to take an Instagram-worthy picture of Bamford Edge on a muddy Saturday afternoon, make sure you know how to read a map and wear appropriate footwear!
Take Care
GB