Mountain Hiking Safety Rules

“Climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities

should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement” British Mountain Council

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Mountain Hiking Safety Rules

Club Rules

1. Our club membership consists of fit, friendly, adventurous hikers. Newcomers need to meet our standards.

2. All participants in our club activities are entirely responsible for their own insurance.

3. All participants in our club activities do so entirely at their own risk.

4. All club leaders are volunteers and not responsible for any accidents or injuries which may occur.

5. Members must first check with the leader of the day before bringing any visitors.

6. All participants must stay within the group and follow the leaders advice on all activities.

7. Call the leader of the day prior to arriving in case of cancellation due to bad weather.

8. Leaders must first recce new routes prior to the scheduled dates.

9. Dogs are not allowed on our hikes.

10. Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed on our hikes.

11. No smoking allowed on hikes.

12. All passengers should contribute to the drivers fuel and toll charges when car sharing.

13. Any visitor who is found unsuitable by the club will not be invited on future events.

14. Membership of our club is free of charge.

15. Do not arrive for any event if you have a hangover or any illness that will affect your safety and ours!

Essential Equipment Extra for leaders and solo hikers

Hiking boots First aid kit

Rucksack First aid knowledge

Adequate clothing for the day Head torch

Extra layer Whistle

Waterproof top Watch

Sun hat Compass

Wet wipes Topographic map

Adequate water Mobile phone

Food Swiss army knife

Energy snacks Space blanket

Mobile phone recommended Altimeter or GPS

Whistle recommended 20 metre lightweight rope

Towel in your car for wet days

Our Hiking Grades

Grading a hike can be difficult because it depends on the terrain and the pace of the leader of the day.

Our method of grading is simple and is adjusted by the leader to suit the weakest member.

Note, that a hike is a long walk and that hiking in the mountains is far more strenuous than hiking in the

country side or on roads.

Easy A hike requiring a minimum amount of physical exertion. We don’t do many of these.

Moderate A hike requiring an average amount of physical exertion.

Strenuous A hike that requires a good level of fitness to complete the event.

Challenging Only for the very few. If you’re not extremely fit, then forget it!

Our Scrambling Grades

We now use the UK grading system as follows.

Grade 1 Some exposure where you will need the occasional hands on rock.

Example: The Penya Roja on the Cavall Verd.

Grade 2 More exposed and previous experience at Grade 1 desirable before tackling this standard.

Example: The Ferrer Ridge.

Grade 3 Multiple pitches of simple rock climbing where a rope may be used for some members.

Example: The Castellets West Ridge and the Bernia Ridge.

Grade 4 Seriously severe and should be used with rope backup.

Example: Segaria East.

* Remember that wet conditions can add a grade to a route.

Environmental Considerations

The following time scales show how long it takes for waste objects to dissolve.

Apple core- 2 to 4 months. Banana skin- 3 to 6 months. Orange peel- 5 to 6 months.

Paper tissue- 5 months. Chewing gum- 5 years. Plastic bottle-1000 years.

Please put your waste in a bag and take it home!

Please respect our mountains Take only photographs Leave only footprints

Hiking Emergency Procedure

Keep together. Should the group become separated then follow this procedure.

Call them by mobile phone to determine where they are.

The International signal of distress is six good medium blasts by whistle. The reply is three long blasts.

In case of serious injury call the European mobile 112 emergency number. Available for GSM phones only.

Vic’s Mountain Hiking Tips

Sun glasses Even in the winter with a low sun they are useful

Sun screen Definitely for April onwards

Spare boot lace Try hiking for 6 hours with a broken one

Hiking sticks Can reduce the load on your back by more than 25%. Fold them when scrambling

Rucksack cover Carry one to protect your gear in heavy rain

Zip bags Use these to protect your camera and other gear in the rain

Under socks A thin pair under your wool socks prevents blisters

Foot cream Use cream like Gehwol or Bodyglide on your feet to reduce friction and blisters

Bananas Eating a banana during your first break will give you 84 Kcals of quick energy

Jaffa cakes An ideal source of carbohydrates for quick energy

Water Drink plenty to hydrate yourself before leaving the house

Carbohydrates Eat plenty the night before hikes during hikes and after hikes

Protein Slow burning and requires more water to fully digest. Keep to a minimum during short hikes

Breakfast If you haven’t had a good one then don’t hike with us

Lightweight boots Taking 1kg off your feet is the equivalent to 5kg off your back.

Food and hands They don’t mix on the mountains. Think germs

Altitude Remember that temperatures drop by about 1C for every 150 metres of ascent.