{"id":1589,"date":"2024-10-02T12:30:12","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T12:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/staying-safe-in-the-dark\/"},"modified":"2025-02-14T11:17:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T11:17:19","slug":"winter-hiking-tips-from-mountain-rescue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/winter-hiking-tips-from-mountain-rescue\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Hiking Tips from Mountain Rescue &#8211; Staying Safe in the Dark"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<header id=\"block_14062e0ae585b3ed048c080386503a08\" class=\"SingleHero skip-lazy default\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"SingleHero__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/uk-hiking\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHiking\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/safety\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSafety\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"SingleHero__title\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWinter Hiking Tips from Mountain Rescue &#8211; Staying Safe in the Dark\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center align-items-center SingleHero__author\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Mountain Rescue\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"SingleHero__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPublished on \t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2024-10-02T12:30:12+00:00\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">October 2, 2024<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dot\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t7 min read\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SingleHero__thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-dartmoor.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982-1920x375.jpg\" class=\"attachment-hd size-hd wp-post-image\" alt=\"staying-safe-in-the-dark-dartmoor.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-dartmoor.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982-1920x375.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-dartmoor.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982-300x59.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-dartmoor.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982-1024x200.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-dartmoor.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982-768x150.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-dartmoor.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982-1536x300.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-dartmoor.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982-2048x400.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-dartmoor.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982-1376x269.jpg 1376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/header>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t\t<article id=\"block_f102168611ea840838278ed42f028c51\" class=\"Universal Universal--post c-small default pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none    \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerBlocks\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lead\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hiking-safety-at-night\">Hiking Safety at Night <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the days get shorter it&#8217;s important to take extra precautions when getting outside, especially when hiking in the mountains or on remote hillsides and moorland. <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/mountain-rescue-england-wales\/\">Mountain Rescue<\/a> share their expert advice for staying safe in the dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2023%20Blog\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-mountain-rescue.jpg\" alt=\"Evening Mountain Rescue\u00a0\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Evening Mountain Rescue. Credit: Buxtonmember\u00a9CarneyJamesTurner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hikers-should-be-preparing-for-shorter-days-in-the-hills-and-mountains\">Hikers should be preparing for shorter days in the hills and mountains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At 2am on the last Sunday in October, the clocks go back by an hour across the UK and British Summer Time ends. We get an extra hour in bed (or an extra hour to party), a lighter Sunday morning and, of course, an earlier sunset on Sunday afternoon.<br><br>Several years ago, Mountain Rescue Awareness Day moved from the late May bank holiday to the first Sunday of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in autumn. There was no particular significance to the May date but changing to the first Sunday of GMT is good timing for seasonal and topical safety advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-does-being-benighted-mean\">What does being &#8216;benighted&#8217; mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Being benighted means being overtaken by darkness without preparation, an alternative less literal meaning is to be na\u00efve and unaware of your environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mountain Rescue teams across the country are regularly called out to <strong>benighted families and groups <\/strong>around this time of year. For a start, it\u2019s usually the final weekend of half term and often seems like the last weekend of autumn before winter really begins. But people also often forget that the day will seem shorter and it\u2019ll be much darker than they\u2019re used to <strong>by about 5pm<\/strong> \u2013 even earlier if the weather is bad.<br><br>A reminder about this aspect of the clocks change seems a useful thing to do \u2013 and it\u2019s also an opportunity to share more detailed safety advice about everything from carrying a torch to reading a map in winter conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2023%20Blog\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-nighttime.jpg\" alt=\"Night time hiking\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-countryside-dark-can-be-really-dark\">Countryside dark can be <em>really dark<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re used to getting outside in a city location, it can come as a shock to realise just how dark it can be in the countryside. At the same time of day, it may be twilight in the city but head into a rural forest and find yourself in complete darkness. This certainly has its benefits and on a clear starlit or moonlit night you\u2019ll have a fantastic view of the night sky. But many people do get caught out so, if you\u2019re heading into the countryside close to sunset, it\u2019s best to bring a torch. In cloudy or miserable weather, visibility can be almost zero and walking in the dark can be really dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-winter-kit-list-for-hikers\">Winter Kit List for Hikers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Planning for shorter days and winter conditions is crucial. Carrying a torch (or two \u2026 or three) can make all the difference. LED headtorches are easily available, light, compact and can be quite cheap. Having one handy means that you can see the path ahead, you can be seen, you can read a map (see more of this below) and you won\u2019t have to rely on your mobile phone battery to power a light. Also, a headtorch means that your hands are free too. <br><br>There are hundreds of headtorches on the market with different degrees of brightness and battery life. Make sure you <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/gear-guide-head-torches\/\">get&nbsp;a suitable torch for your needs<\/a>. For example, running, cycling and longer walks will require a brighter light and longer battery life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2023%20Blog\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-hikers-sunset.jpg\" alt=\"Winter hiking gear\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pack for all weathers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Plenty of food and drink will help keep everyone going and a flask of something hot will help keep you warm. These extra pieces of winter kit will all add weight to your bag and you\u2019ll likely to be slower. Keep that in mind when planning your time outside and estimating your time of return. This extra winter gear means that you can enjoy your adventures without getting cold or worse<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2023%20Blog\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-snow.jpg\" alt=\"Snowy slopes\u00a0\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-winter-in-the-mountains\">Winter in the mountains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You need to anticipate the conditions under foot (and the weather) for your whole day, not just at the start or during twilight hours. It might be sheltered and green in the valley but you can expect stronger and colder winds as you climb. Wind chill in the hills can reduce the temperature significantly and, if you then get wet, you can become cold very quickly. It&#8217;s not always so green as you climb wither &#8211; there\u2019s often the potential for ice and snow on paths at higher levels. If you\u2019re heading into the hills, it\u2019s well worth getting a mountain weather forecast, such as those supplied online by the Met Office and MWIS, to find out more about what to expect as you climb and as your day goes on. Plan your route accordingly. <br><br>Carrying an ice axe and crampons may seem extreme for well-worn paths but it\u2019s worth considering and even \u201cgel spikes\u201d can make a big difference. Well-worn paths can become icy in winter and sometimes the most dangerous routes are those taken when people just wanted to avoid the ice<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-learn-to-map-read\">Learn to map read<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Night and winter navigation is more challenging. It\u2019s worth practising in the warmer months so that you\u2019re building on those skills in the winter. Even MR volunteers train regularly on winter and night navigation to ensure that their skills are up to standard.<br><br>Here are a few <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/top-tips-for-winter-navigation\/\">top tips for winter navigation<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script src=\"\/\/r1.dotdigital-pages.com\/resources\/sharing\/embed.js?sharing=lp-embed&#038;domain=r1.dotdigital-pages.com&#038;id=2I1H-8OR%2Fgetoutside-sign-up-embed%22&#038;width=1000&#038;description=Sign%20up%20to%20the%20Ordnance%20Survey%20Newsletter%20and%20receive%2010%25%20off%20your%20first%20order%20and%20a%20free%20eBook\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-carry-a-compass-and-a-paper-map\">Carry a compass (!) and a paper map<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mobile phone apps are great for navigation \u2013 that\u2019s why Mountain Rescue and OS Maps work together \u2013 but phones also rely on battery power and that can be unreliable in cold winter conditions and they can be tricky to use with thick gloves. It is well worth having the traditional tools as back up. The <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/apps\/os-maps-subscriptions\/\">OS Maps app<\/a> will pinpoint your location for you but it\u2019s always wise to carry and paper map and compass as a back up, even more so in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-know-where-you-are-at-all-times\">Know where you are at all times<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you look at the map and plan your route, create a list of features to \u2018tick off\u2019 as you pass them so that you have a constant awareness of where you are on your route. This list of features can help if you\u2019re walking as a group or family \u2013 it\u2019ll keep people moving \u2013 and it will also help if the fog rolls in or a white out descends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2023%20Blog\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-nightnavigation.jpg\" alt=\"Night navigation with OS Maps\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Night navigation with OS Maps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-trust-your-compass\">Trust your compass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In poor visibility, it\u2019s easy to feel disorientated, especially if you\u2019ve sat down for a break and then need to get moving again. If you\u2019re using a paper map, take a bearing with your compass and double check it. Unless you\u2019ve made the mistake of having it near your mobile phone, it will be accurate, so trust what it says and stick to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More on <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/beginners-guide-to-using-a-compass\/\">how to use a compass.&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-know-your-100-metre-pace\">Know your 100 metre pace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re going to walk on a bearing (using a compass) you need to know how many paces that is in your own gait. Before you head out, figure this out on a flat field and pace out, counting each double step &#8211; usually between 60 and 75 for most people.<br><br>If you can, then check it on steep ground going up, going down and in snow \u2013 that way you\u2019ll have a figure to measure out in various conditions and you can rely on your counting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-contours-are-your-friend\">Contours are your friend<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Being able to use contours to interpret slope aspect can be a lifesaving technique when you find yourself lost in poor visibility. Contours can be the hardest feature to interpret on a map and certainly takes practice to master, but they are also the one feature in the landscape which will not change in winter.&nbsp;Down will always be down.<br><br>Find out how to interpret <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/understanding-map-contour-lines-for-beginners\/\">contour features here<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2023%20Blog\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-contours.jpg\" alt=\"Contour lines\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Contour lines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Winter can be an amazing time to be outdoors \u2013 but it pays to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountain.rescue.org.uk\/safety\/adventure-smart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#BeAdventureSmart<\/a>, prepare and plan and ensure that your adventure ends happily too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-important-winter-hiking-advice\">IMPORTANT WINTER HIKING ADVICE <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Always tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to be back. It\u2019s worth letting them know your planned options in bad weather and what kit you have for emergencies too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check the weather forecast. Plan your route and pack the right kit accordingly. Check a specialist mountain forecast if you\u2019re heading for the hills. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be seen and always pack a torch in winter, even if you plan to be back before sunset.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2023%20Blog\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-advice.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain Rescue advice\u00a0\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mountain Rescue advice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/hiking-for-beginners-a-complete-guide\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/copy-of-the-beginners-guide-to-hiking-1000-x-300-px.png\" alt=\"beginners guide to hiking\" class=\"wp-image-6087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/copy-of-the-beginners-guide-to-hiking-1000-x-300-px.png 1000w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/copy-of-the-beginners-guide-to-hiking-1000-x-300-px-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/copy-of-the-beginners-guide-to-hiking-1000-x-300-px-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Read Our <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/hiking-for-beginners-a-complete-guide\/\">Advice for Beginner Hiking<\/a> which has lots of helpful links and tips to keep you safe in the mountains and hills of the UK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"MetaShare\">\n\n\t\t\t<button id=\"likeButton\" data-nonce=\"26fcc9d63c\" data-postid=\"1589\" class=\"Button Button--default Button--icon likeButton\"><span class=\"likeButtonText\">Like this guide<\/span><svg width=\"21\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.4947 3.09742C8.5448 1.39335 5.66108 1.04464 3.42166 2.95804C0.999337 5.02773 0.647396 8.5134 2.56291 10.9783C3.29002 11.9139 4.70917 13.3196 6.07302 14.6069C7.45283 15.9092 8.82946 17.1399 9.50834 17.7411C9.51258 17.7449 9.51691 17.7487 9.5213 17.7526C9.58512 17.8092 9.66457 17.8796 9.74074 17.937C9.83194 18.0057 9.96286 18.0909 10.1377 18.1431C10.3701 18.2124 10.62 18.2124 10.8524 18.1431C11.0272 18.0909 11.1581 18.0057 11.2493 17.937C11.3255 17.8796 11.405 17.8092 11.4688 17.7526C11.4732 17.7487 11.4775 17.7449 11.4817 17.7411C12.1606 17.1399 13.5373 15.9092 14.9171 14.6069C16.2809 13.3196 17.7001 11.9139 18.4272 10.9783C20.3353 8.52288 20.0377 5.01032 17.5597 2.95074C15.2954 1.06872 12.4424 1.3927 10.4947 3.09742Z\" fill=\"#186571\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n<\/button>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center MetaShareSocial\" aria-label=\"Share\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"X\" class=\"Button Button--default MetaShareSocial__button MetaShareSocial__button--x\" id=\"share-twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><g transform=\"translate(-173 238)\"><path d=\"M18.9.75h3.68l-8.04,9.213L24,22.5H16.594l-5.8-7.6L4.156,22.5H.474l8.6-9.854L0,.75H7.594L12.837,7.7ZM17.61,20.291h2.039L6.486,2.843H4.3Z\" transform=\"translate(173 -237.625)\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"  class=\"Button Button--default MetaShareSocial__button MetaShareSocial__button--f\" id=\"share-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><g transform=\"translate(-89 238)\"><path d=\"M14.186,24V13.2h3.279L18,8.4H14.186V6.062c0-1.236.032-2.462,1.759-2.462h1.749V.168A19.34,19.34,0,0,0,14.671,0C11.5,0,9.508,1.989,9.508,5.64V8.4H6v4.8H9.508V24Z\" transform=\"translate(89 -238)\" fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div id=\"likeCount\" class=\"likeCount\">Liked by <span id=\"likeCountValue\">94<\/span> users<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<hr class=\"MetaShare__hr\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"MetaShareAuthor\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MetaShareAuthor__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Mountain Rescue\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the days get shorter it&#8217;s important to take extra precautions when getting outside. Mountain Rescue share their expert advice for staying safe in the dark.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1588,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"activities":[90,41],"locations":[],"class_list":["post-1589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","activities-uk-hiking","activities-safety"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Staying safe in the dark | OS GetOutside<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Winter Hiking Tips: Mountain Rescue share their advice for staying safe when out hiking in the hills and mountains this winter\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/winter-hiking-tips-from-mountain-rescue\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Staying safe in the dark | OS GetOutside\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Winter Hiking Tips: Mountain Rescue share their advice for staying safe when out hiking in the hills and mountains this winter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/winter-hiking-tips-from-mountain-rescue\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"OS Maps Discover\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/osmapping\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-10-02T12:30:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-14T11:17:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/blobgetoutside5db8a681d3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/staying-safe-in-the-dark-dartmoor.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"midasiak\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Staying safe in the dark | OS GetOutside\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@OSLeisure\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@OSLeisure\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"midasiak\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"17 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/osmaps.com\\\/discover\\\/guides\\\/winter-hiking-tips-from-mountain-rescue\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/osmaps.com\\\/discover\\\/guides\\\/winter-hiking-tips-from-mountain-rescue\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"midasiak\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/osmaps.com\\\/discover\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/abfca1c9c41ce63cb71ac53069c320ac\"},\"headline\":\"Winter Hiking Tips from Mountain Rescue &#8211; 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