I worked at an outdoor education centre in mid Wales for a year – many a great walk through the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountain. However, working with the Pro's and getting to do my Mountain Leader Training was invaluable. As you say, even on relatively straight forward walks, all things weather related can change rapidly. A blister or sprained ankle can actually be life threatening given the right (or wrong) weather conditions and location.

It's definitely worth cribbing up on some basic navigation skills and the skill of micro-navigation, for when the fog closes in tight or you're faced with snow/white-out, is actually a fun skill to learn and play with. Also, as silly as it can sound on light walks, taking basic survival type kit can be more than worthwhile. Having a basic shelter, a stove, a rope, first aid kit and something like a swiss army knife can make you prepared for pretty much anything. Plus on crappy weather walks, it's nice being able to get out some shelter and brew up some tea/coffee on a primus.

If someone falls and breaks a leg – which isn't outside the realms of possibility – it can easily take 6 hours for Mountain Rescue to get to the scene – especially if there isn't a mobile reception and someone has to walk down to fetch them.