Hiking Plan
YOUR HIKING PLAN
1. BE PREPARED WITH KNOWLEDGE & GEAR
Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start (e.g. A map and compass can only get you home if you know how to use it, cellphones often do not work in the mountains as the land mass can block signals). Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Do not assume that you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself. Have emergency equipment on hand (e.g. pocket knife, maps, compass, fl ashlight, First-Aid kit, rain or wind gear, or anything to start a fi re).
2. KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND WHAT KIND OF TERRAIN YOU WILL BE HIKING ON
Before you set out, it’s always advisable to consult a topographic map so you’ll be familiar with the type of terrain you’ll encounter. You can fi nd these maps in local outdoor stores, bookstores and online. Learn how to use a map and compass. Call ahead, read a guidebook and study maps of the area you’ll be hiking to become familiar with trails, roads, rivers, streams, mountains and other features.
Use these as reference points as you hike:
Know the time of sunset, the tide changes (especially when hiking in coastal / Marine Protected Areas) and weather prediction for the duration of the hike before you set out. Take steps to make sure you don’t become lost. Bring a trail map when possible CapeNature Nature Reserve Hiking Trials include a huge variety of terrain, from windswept mountainous areas, sheer cliff s and low-lying interval and fynbos covered terrain. The terrain can be very steep and rocky, so plan accordingly, as short sections of trail can take much longer than anticipated. Hikers can encounter snakes and other potential hazards particular to these areas.
3. LEAVE YOUR HIKING PLANS FOR EMERGENCY RESCUE PURPOSES
Once you’ve determined your route, leave your Hiking Plan with family or friends - then make sure you do not deviate from this Hiking Plan. Inform family members or friends where you intend going, the trails you are hiking, the route you intend following, when you will be departing from base camp, how long the anticipated hiking trail will take to complete (generally 3km/hr) when you will return and your emergency plans.
4. NEVER HIKE ALONE AND STAY TOGETHER
It is safer to hike in groups of two, three or more. When you start the hiking trail as a group, hike as a group and end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person. It takes many more hours for a Search and Rescue Team to locate individuals as opposed to locating the group. The costs involved for Search and Rescue operations are also exorbitant.
5. CAMP ONLY AT DESIGNATED CAMP SITES
6. NEVER DEVIATE FROM YOUR ORIGINALLY INTENDED ROUTE, UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY
What you shouldn’t change: your route. If you do not return on schedule and the person you left your Hiking Plan with contacts authorities, search and rescue efforts will start where it is presumed you are. If you have taken another route, this can substantially delay help reaching you. Think through your situation and use your best judgment. Never change your route unless it is an emergency.
7. KNOW WHEN TO TURN BACK
Weather conditions are known to change quickly, especially at higher elevations, even if the weather is good at lower altitudes, the higher you go, the colder, windier and wetter the weather is likely to be. Late spring storms can mean snow on mountain ranges. When the weather changes suddenly, you need to respect nature’s unpredictability and head for home. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also aff ect your hike. The fitness levels of and medical condition of individual group members should always be considered and the group’s pace should be set by the slowest hiker. If that hiker is unable to continue, keep your group together.
Never be afraid to turn back.
Running out of time: Sunset and darkness can come quicker than expected, especially in the autumn and winter months. Respect the messages and signals nature and your body sends—it’s an experienced and intelligent hiker who can judge when to continue and when it is better to turn back and return another day.
8. KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH CERTAIN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS:
Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening.
Do not assume that you will be rescued; KNOW HOW TO RESCUE YOURSELF.
