Hike Leader Orientation

Roles and Responsibilities

Thank You

for being a hike leaderWithout you, we are not a hiking club

CONTENTS

• Pre-Hike Responsibilities • Leader Pack Essentials• Responsibilities at the Parking Lot• Hike Responsibilities • Hike Courtesies• Post Hike Duties • Issues /Concerns • Troubles on the trail • Resources• Radios• Cell Phones• Open discussion• First Aid ( Separate Presentation)

The Parking Lot

• We always meet at the same location:

Independence center

We always

Meet here

LEADER PACK ESSENTIALS

First aid kit plus an ACE bandage, space blanket, & possibly a cold pack

Communications (Whistle / Radio/ Cell Phone) w/spare batteries Extra water for those who may run out...2 half liter bottles is

suggested Phone numbers of emergency help Knife Nutrition Whistle Compass, map or GPS w/spare batteries Reflective mirror Lamp or Flashlight Sunscreen Matches or other means of starting a fire

PRE-HIKE RESPONSIBILITIES

Know the hike Check the weather

POST A NOTICE OF CHANGE ON WEBSITE

Preview the hike before you schedule it Consider difficulty and options Consider turn around time Consider Bathroom stop

Responsibilities at theParking Lot

Introduce yourself to the group Provide an overview of the hike including the level of

difficulty, distance, elevation gain, and terrain Ensure everyone has signed the hiking club sign-in sheet Have guests sign a waiver and ensure the member sponsor

is responsible Check everyone for water, ability, proper equipment

If not prepared, respectfully deny hiker from participating

Verify radios are working

Responsibilities at theParking Lot

New hikers? Introduce them, assess level Did they attend orientation? Waiver and $1 fee for guests You can reject hikers if they are not fit or outfitted properly

for the hike

Responsibilities at theParking Lot

Announce $ for car pool ($5 Red Rock & Lake Mead, $10 Charleston) Arrange car pools (be sensitive to hiker levels in the same

car) Provide driving directions Know the number of hikers and vehicles

HIKE RESPONSIBILITIES

Verify radios are working Appoint one or more sweepers Take frequent rest and water breaks Check that everyone is drinking Look ahead to identify route Look back frequently to verify the return route Adjust pace to keep group together Consider formally splitting a large group with fast and slow pace hikers

by adding a leader in the middle

Do frequent head counts Take timely breaks for nourishment Don’t allow hikers to rest too long Observe trail conditions for hazards

HIKE COURTESIES

• Commence all hikes at a slow speed

• Do not speed up to crest a ridge or summit

• Be pleasant but firm when giving instructions

POST-HIKE DUTIES

Do a headcount to ensure everyone has returned Have everyone sign out Ensure all hikers have a ride back Be sure everyone is in good condition Call or email Mary Easwaran with count of hikers Put sign in sheet in Club Mail Box or bring to Hike Leaders

meeting

Issues/Concerns

Safety is always highest priority No one should hike alone Discourage hikers from running ahead or taking different

routes Consider formally splitting a group by fast and slow pace

hikers by adding a leader and gaining confirmation of how many and who are going with the new leader.

If a Hiker can not continue, have them escorted back or wait with communications

If there is an obstacle that requires assistance or work around, provide wait/join up instructions, also assign someone to assist hikers so you can remain in lead

Issues/ Concerns

We are good neighbors – Parking noise

Environmentally conscious Don’t cut switch backs Careful not to damage ecosystem – Cryptographic soil Pack out everything

Responsibilities (when not the assigned leader)

Support the directions and decisions of the assigned leader Volunteer to sweep Assist hikers at obstacles Volunteer to assist struggling hiker Assist in keeping group together Assist in discouraging hikers from running ahead or taking

different routes

Lets assume you are leading a hike...

• And……………………Then…………….

The Unexpected Happens

You determine you are lost, or are not confident of where you are

You look back & no one is following Someone gets hurt or gets sick (or you) Your flock scatters Mutiny, some folks want to go another way Weather changes Out of water One or more Hikers are over exerted You are at the ¼ way point & someone wants to go back Its getting dark & you still have hours to return

TROUBLE: What is the 1st thing you should do?

IN ALL CASES exercise leadership 101 Do Not make a snap judgment Stop, think and assess the situation & your surroundings &

options Take a water break, stop the group so you can think &

maybe consult with capable others Maintain leadership or you will have 20 leaders, and your

flock can scatter Decide how much you want to think aloud Plan next steps than act on them

On our web sitehttp://www.sunhikers.homestead.com

Club forms, for hike leaders

Hike Leader Guidelines (including this PP) Health Card Emergency forms Sign in sheets New member forms Waivers for guests Ability to post hike changes

Radios

• Push to talk, delay, then talk• Test with your sweeper

Channel 4 and

Sub Channel 4

Cell Phones

• Before you call, know where you are• Who are you going to call? Carry

emergency numbers, leaders numbers• Not all 911 dispatchers can tell your

location as with land lines, although most GPS equipped cell phones can be located

Open Discussion

• Topics for information or further exploration