When the clocks go back on the last weekend of October it marks the end of light evenings and the onset of being confined to the warmth and safety of the indoors. But should it?

Let’s face it most people don’t need much of an excuse to say no to getting off that sofa, especially if it’s cold and dark outside. The problem with the winter months is the only perceived free time we have is at weekends and by the time you’ve done some chores and a bit of shopping it’s almost over, and before you know it the winter has drifted by and you don’t have much to show for it.

The only difference between a summer and a winter’s evening is temperature and daylight. These can be remedied by warm clothing and a headtorch and more importantly a change in mindset.

That change in mindset and the right kit allows you to walk through previously closed doors.

Over the last 30+ years I’ve done a few night walks mostly because I’ve been late getting off the hill. It wasn’t until January 2018 that I made the conscious decision to leave the house in the dark, drive in the dark and then set off on my own up Plynlimon at night in snow and ice and strong winds. Plynlimon is a peak I’ve done over 50 times but to do it at night was something else. Because visibility is low you start to question every shadow, every noise and every twist and turn in the path. Before I knew it I was at the summit and then I was back at the car – buzzing. For me this walk opened up all sorts of possibilities, I no longer had to wait until the weekend to get a peak in, I didn’t have to live with the disappointment of not getting out on a mountain at the weekend. Now I knew I could get out any time I liked.

Over the winter of 2018 I ventured out even more at night, honing my navigation skills and building confidence in my abilities, abilities that later helped me qualify as a mountain leader. I’ve regularly taken my wife and kids out into the hills at night in the wind and rain to build their confidence and to push aside that fear of getting caught out. There’s now a small group of us that like to get out in all seasons, all weathers and all times of day.

The other door that opened for me was that night hikes helped prepare me for summit days on expeditions to Ecuador, the Himalayas and the Pyrenees. To maximise your chance of summit success you have to get up in the middle of the night and start your ascent at midnight. That’s getting yourself fully kitted out and crampons on all by torchlight and not being phased by it because you know you’ve been here before and you’re used to being out at night!

Night hikes are something you need to invest in and work at to build up your skill set and confidence, although you could always hire a guide!