Planning, Preparation, Guidance for a Hiking

Planning, Preparation, Guidance for a Hiking follow the Route

• Route planning with the help of walking guides, maps or suitably experienced people (e.g. from walking clubs and associations, tourist information offices or accommodation providers).
• Get route information about distances, total ascend, difficulty rating and estimated time of completion of the route, as well as possible risks (e.g. steep slopes, scree slopes, danger of rock fall, snowfields).
• Only when these questions are answered you can judge if the tour is safe to attempt, according to physical fitness and technical knowledge of the participant.
• Hiking leaders instructor
• Know possible short cuts for the route.
• If you are less experienced: Plan tours less than two hours with a total altitude difference of less than 300m.
• Take note of the weather forecast.
• Find out where to get provisions and where sheltered resting places are on route.
• Let friends or family know what route and where you’re going. Don’t forget to let them know you’re back on your return.
• With children or bigger groups remember to allow significantly more time.

During the walk

• Do not attempt long or difficult walks on your own.
• Check your timing every now and then. If necessary take a shortcut if you are unexpectedly delayed.
• Adjust your pace to weather and other conditions.
• Watch for changes in the weather.
• Pace yourself for the duration of the walk.
• Keep to the (marked) paths. Not just for your safety but for the protection of flora and fauna.
• Inform yourself about the access laws and practises of the country you are in.
• Close fences and gates behind you.
• Take rest breaks regularly. Eat a little and drink a lot – even if you’re not thirsty.
• When resting, put on an extra layer in order not to cool out.
• Take all your rubbish home.
• Don’t take risks. If you feel suddenly unwell or experience any other difficulties, don’t take risks, turn back.
• For the sake of the environment: „Take nothing but impressions – leave nothing but footprints“.
• Abide by laws and regulations in Nature reserves.
• Careful when lighting fires. Don’t light fires in prolonged dry spells, strong winds and on very hot days.
• Where possible use public transport to get to and from a walk.
• Livestock on land: Keep dogs on leads. Pass cattle calmly, leaving a distance of 20-50 m.

Exceptional Situations

In Thunderstorms:

• Stay away from free standing trees, summits, ridges, rock faces or marshy areas. If there are lightning strikes, crouch on your backpack with closed feet, and don’t touch any metal objects like wires or chains.
• Caution: Water courses can swell very quickly.

In Fog:

• Listen for noises (see „Navigating in the countryside“).
• Closely follow the route on the map; without visibility it is very difficult to know your exact position. If you get lost, stop and wait until visibility improves. Take care to stay on the trail.

Navigation in the countryside

If you want to use a map to navigate in the countryside, you need to know your position first.

• Look for two to three recognisable features in your surroundings. Suitable are forests, water features, a mountain, a village, a single dwelling, a road.
• Then turn the map until the direction of the features you’re looking at corresponds with their location on the map.
• A compass can make navigation in unfamiliar terrain easier. Set up the map facing north and then compare features on the ground to the map: Are they in the same direction?

If you set up your map correctly at the start of a walk, and if you consequently compare and adjust its orientation at every feature, you will always know your position and the direction of your intended destination.

If it does happen that you can’t set your map to the landscape, the following will help:

• Turn back on the exact route that you came until you reach a recognisable and safe spot and start to set your map to the landscape again.
• When you know you’re on the right track, keep going until you come to a feature that is also shown on the map and allow you to get your bearings.

If you are completely lost, the following things will help to get you back into inhabited areas where you can get your bearings:

• Orientate yourself along watercourses, roads or High-tension wires. Only walk on in steep or rugged terrain if there is sufficient visibility.
• Listen for noises. Watercourses, roads and other civilisation noises are often audible over long distances.

Compass and GPS

If you want to go beyond marked routes, you have to be able to use a map and compass. There are numerous route recommendations on the internet, with the corresponding data to be downloaded on to a GPS (Global Positioning System). The down side of the GPS is that you need satellite cover and electric power. It is a very good aid in modern times, but it is absolutely no substitute for a good walking map and thorough route planning and preparation.

Map Reading

A map gives information about the terrain, inhabited areas, watercourses, roads and lots more. You have to be able to ‘read’ the map, interpret the symbols in the key (legend) and ‘translate’ it on to the ground.

Valuable Information on maps

• North on a map is always at the top.
• Every map has a scale. Most suitable and useful for walkers are 1:25 000, 1:40 000, 1:50 000 or 1:60 000.
• The smaller the number behind the colon, the more detail is shown on the map.
• If you take away the last 2 digits, you get the meters of ground represented by each centimetre on the map.
• Every map has a grid reference system shown as vertical and horizontal lines. With this you can pinpoint every spot on the map.

Map Symbols

On walking maps, marked routes are usually displayed as red lines. Watercourses as blue lines. Green is typically forestry. Always read the key or legend on the side of the map since different map makers can use different symbols for details.

Representation of the shape of the terrain

Contour lines and slight shading represent shape of the ground. A contour line is a line joining points of equal height above sea level. The closer the lines are spaced, the steeper the ground; the further they are apart, the gentler the slope.

Walking time calculation

It is obvious that the time it takes to do a walk differs from person to person, depending on fitness and stamina. That’s why stated times often don’t correspond with your own.
To calculate the time over flat ground the average speed is taken to be 4 km per hour. Ascends get added on (1 hour per 300 m of climb), descends get substracted. Breaks are not part of the calculation.
The walking times as advised in route guides and on markers are rough guide times only.

Allow extra time for:

• Breaks
• Children, or less experienced walkers and groups
• Extreme heat, snow, wet conditions or extreme heat, and under foot conditions

Appropriate equipment

For a simple walk you don’t necessarily need highly technical, expensive specialist kit. Choose your equipment depending on difficulty, terrain, duration of the route as well as personal preferences and needs. Full walking kit includes:

Boots

Sturdy walking shoes are sufficient for walks on level ground and in lowlands. For hikes into mountainous terrain, you should have waterproof walking boots with a firm sole, and good ankle support.

Clothing

Choose clothing to suit the season of the year. Multiple layers using synthetic fibres, which wick out moisture and dry quickly, are best.

Trousers

Avoid wearing jeans or cotton trousers; they absorb moisture. Lighter fabrics are preferred. Overtrousers are practical since they keep out wind as well as rain.

Raingear

It does not have to be an expensive, breathable product. It is more important that it is small to pack and light to carry. A small umbrella can be useful. Rain capes are to be avoided.

Backpack

For day-walks a 20-30 litre backpack may suffice. It should be fitted to the body, with straps individually adjusted to suit the body shape and a broad and soft waist belt to ensure a comfortable but close fit. This can spread the weight between the shoulders and the top of the hips. Since most backpacks are not fully waterproof, it is advisable to have a rain cover.

Walking poles

Walking poles are not necessary when walking on level ground. However many walkers value well adjusted and correctly employed poles when ascending or descending steeper ground. Telescopic poles that can be stored away easily when not in use are advisable.

Sunscreen

Sun glasses, hat or cap and sunscreen are essential walking equipment.

Drinks bottle

Bottles can be manufactured from plastic or aluminium, and should hold a minimum of 1 litre.

1st aid kit

With band aid, blister pack, disinfectant, painkiller, cooling ointment, bandages, latex gloves, scissors and tweezers.

Other:

• Spare clothing
• Walking map
• Compass, possibly with
• Mobile phone with emergency numbers
• Pen knife
• Ample energy rich foods and drinks
• Personal medication
• Binoculars

When walking in mountainous terrain:

Extra safety equipment (e.g. picks, ropes, etc.)

Nutrition while out

When walking briskly, the body uses ca. 270 kcal more energy per hour than it would when sitting at ease. However, sausages, alcohol and crisps are not suitable as energy foods on a walk.

The ideal walking menu

• Minimum of 1 litre of liquids such as water, unsweetened herb or fruit tee, fruit juice diluted with 3 parts of water. Experienced walkers drink 10-20 cl. of liquid every 15-20 minutes.
• Wholegrain bread with dried meat, ham or cheese. Vegetarian alternative: Pastry, rice or potato salad in tightly closed lunch box.
• Vegetables like carrots, peppers, radishes, cucumber or kohlrabi in bite-size bits. Apples, dried fruit and nuts, cereal bars.
• As well as sausages, vegetables, corn cobs and potatoes are great for the barbeque. It is best to pre-cook them at home, season with oil, garlic or herbs, wrap in kitchen foil and then cook on the hot embers.
• Sugar free sweets. Tooth kind chewing gum may replace the toothbrush for a day.
• After the walk, drink plenty and eat pasta. That replenishes fluids and carbohydrates lost after strenuous exercise.

Especially for Winter walks

Take additional warm drinks or hot water, e.g. for instant soups.

In case of emergency – First aid

• Keep the injured and others members of the group safe from further danger, keeping them as warm and comfortable as possible and administer first aid.
• If necessary call Mountain rescue and start recovery procedures.
• Don’t forget about your own safety.

Order of questions from emergency services:

• Where did it happen?
• What happened?
• How many injured?
• What kind of injury?
• Wait for further questions

Important Telephone numbers

Know the relevant emergency numbers for

• Mountain rescue
• Police
• Ring 999 (International 112) and ask for appropriate service

Walk preparations:

• plan walking route and duration
• take note of time tables for transport links
• study the weather forecast (e.g. online www.weather.com, www.weather-online.com, teletext, local tourist information)
• take note of important phone numbers
• let friends or family know about your intended route and the approximate time of return. Don’t forget to let them know that you’re back on returning!
• charge your mobile phone, camera and GPS receiver
• prepare your picnic and drinks

Don’t forget to take:

• Money, vouchers, tickets
• Route map
• Raingear
• Warm clothing and spare gear
• Sun protection for skin, lips, head and eyes
• Pen knife
• Emergency 1st aid kit (with band aid, disinfectant, wound dressings and bandages)
• Mobile phone
• Food and drink

Take if you wish:

• Binoculars, camera, GPS receiver, compass
• Walking poles
• Toilet roll