How to go hill walking at night

Being on a mountain in the dark is often seen the result of a mistake somewhere along the line. ‘Benightment’ is a common cause of accidents and emergencies, and one of the main commandments of safety advice is to avoid or be prepared for it. Fear of the night is also extremely well ingrained in our biology; we are conditioned to see danger in the dark, and overcoming this can mean wrestling with some deeply ensconced demons.

But with the right knowledge and preparation, hill walking at night can be a positive choice rather than an emergency predicament. Seeing the silvery glimmer of moonlit rocks or watching the sunrise from a summit is a rare and wonderful thing, like discovering a whole new side to a friend you’ve known for years. It can also be a way of breaking your hill walking ambitions beyond winter’s restrictively short days. Here are some basics for seeing the light of night walking safely...

1. Start small

As with any new skill or experience in the mountains, don’t bite off more than you can chew at first. Find a modest hill or mild moor where the route-finding is straightforward; on well-defined paths, or with plenty of ‘handrail’ features. It should also be close to civilisation or a road, with clear escape routes back to safety. Go with someone else for the extra backup of company.

2. Pick the right night for it

Scrutinising the weather forecast is important for your first night-time forays. The ideal would be a calm, warm night with a big shining moon and clear skies, although such a confluence of factors is rare (you could even say it’s once in a blue moon, geddit?) in Britain. The second best conditions would be calm and warm to avoid the extra pressure and hazards of wind and exposure. Check MWIS before you set off for above-sea-level weather forecasts!

3. Be prepared

It goes without saying that you need all the same backup equipment for night walking as you would for the day time (fully charged phone, first aid kit, whistle, emergency shelter, spare food), but it’s worth remembering that help may be harder to obtain. A sleeping bag and bivi shelter could be a sensible back-up if you need to wait out the night.

4. Be a solid navigator

Needless to say, navigating at night can represent a formidable challenge. Know your navigational onions before attempting it. Hire a guide or go on a night navigation course if you are unsure.

5. Stay grounded in time and space

The night changes our perception of a lot of things; heightening tension, intensifying sound, but also warping our perception of time and space. With no visual clues beyond your headtorch beam, you might overestimate or underestimate how far you’ve travelled in a given time. Be aware of this and trust your navigation techniques.

6. Keep calm

In the wilds at night primal fears can crowd out rational judgement. Remember to stay calm; letting panic set in will only get you into worse trouble.

For more hillwalking tips, resources and route suggestions to inspire your next adventure, check out the BMC Hill walking website.