What on Earth would George Mallory have made of it?

Lined with materials whose names sound like something from a chemistry lesson: Thermalite, microlite, even laminate - which I thought was used for flooring - jackets and trousers are worlds away from the cotton anoraks that sufficed when Mallory was scaling the world’s great peaks.

Now there are top layers, insulating layers, breathability layers. Even the rucksacks have special coatings and sealants to keep the vast array of items you are encouraged to take with you on upland hikes.

Insect repellent, blister relief, sunglasses, Swiss army knife, a torch, spare batteries, a scarf, hydration fluid (does that mean water?), even a GPS, are among the items we are now recommended to pack.

And it costs a fortune. I needed a jacket for a recent break in the Lake District and could not believe the prices. I picked up one costing more than £250. With the ‘essential’ accessories, your gear could end up costing as much as the holiday. And they come in the most horrible, garish colours.

Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine (left) with George Mallory

When I was growing up my family spent many weeks exploring the Lake District. Kitted out in jumpers, basic anoraks and jeans - the only item on today’s must-have list being walking boots - we crossed Striding Edge, clambered up Scafell Pike and scaled Skiddaw.

My dad even took us up Pillar on what felt like a proper climb rather than a walk, crossing ridges above sheer rock faces. I remember being terrified on the Shamrock Traverse, a narrow ledge above a vertical drop. I crawled on hand and knees past a stretcher box that looked like a coffin.

My dad carried a map in a plastic folder, a penknife and a whistle in case we got into difficulty - the closest he came to using it was when he took the wrong route from the fells above Borrowdale and we ended up tramping in the dark, guided only by the lights of houses in the valley.

For a day’s walk we took a sandwiches, flasks of tea, water, apples and a chunk of my mum’s fruit cake. On my recent break we packed exactly the same.

I’m not saying people should compromise safety, but you see them laden down with enough stuff for a Shackleton-style expedition, when they’re taking an afternoon’s stroll by a lake. I’m surprised people don’t take Sherpas.

And rather than a standard walking stick, many sport metal walking poles which seem to me more of an inconvenience, especially on steeper slopes.

Walking boots have changed too, to lighter material, which may be a good thing, though my leather Brasher boots have served me well for more than 35 years.

For my Lakeland trip I managed to find a cheap anorak for £15 in the ‘Go Outdoors’ sale and splashed out on a bar of Kendal Mint Cake for emergencies. Both served me well.