HIKE LEADER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Every hike will have at least one hike leader from the time the hike leaves the Hike Departure Area until all hikers return to the Emory & Henry campus (unless other arrangements are made in advance). Hike leaders are responsible for the well-being and the safe return of all assigned hikers. They will be familiar with the hike policies set forth in this document and will be aware of how to obtain emergency assistance for a serious injury to a hiker and assistance in finding a lost hiker. (There is a list of emergency contacts in the first aid kit.) Hike Leaders have the authority to deny any unprepared hiker the right to participate in the scheduled hike.

BEFORE THE DAY OF THE HIKE

Scout the hike. Unless you are familiar with the hike you volunteered to lead, you should scout the assigned hike prior to the day of hike. Locate the trailhead, assess trail conditions, and locate parking areas at both ends.

UPON ARRIVAL AT THE CONFERENCE

Upon arrival at Emory & Henry, stop at the Hike Desk and let the Hike Desk staff know that you are a hike leader. We would like to verify your arrival at the conference and reconfirm your hikes and hike departure times.

If you have a cell phone, please provide the phone number to the Hike Desk when you check in or to the Hike Departure Area attendant before your hike’s departure.

ON THE DAY OF YOUR HIKE

Come to the Hike Departure Area in front of the King Center at least one half hour before your hike departure time and check in with an attendant. He/she will see that you receive your First Aid Kit and your Hike Leader Packet. The packet will contain a list of participants, waiver form, emergency guidelines and contacts, driving directions (copies for each driver), and trail maps. Pick up some colored flagging tape for drivers to flag their cars.

Report to the signpost for your hike to meet the hikers. Review your list of hikers in the Hike Leader packet and plan your carpool, including car shuttle or key exchange where appropriate. Car shuttle suggestions are included on the top of the Driving Directions. The Departure Area Attendant will be happy to help you with this planning.

Meet the hikers as they arrive at the meeting spot. This will be your best opportunity to assess the preparedness of each hiker to participate in your hike. It is your right to refuse to take anyone you feel is inadequately equipped or not in suitable physical condition.

Modify both copies of the List of Participantsto show the hikers actually participating in the hike. If some hikers on the list cancel or do not show up, cross off their names. If others join the hike, add their names to the list. Take one copy of this list with you on your hike. Give the other copy to the Departure Area Attendant prior to departure.

Make sure enough drivers are on hand to handle all the hikers. If there are not enough, explain that the hike will be canceled if more drivers are not secured. Provide a long strip of colored flagging to each driver to attach to his or her vehicle antenna or clamp in the top of a closed rear window. Check with drivers to make sure they have enough gasoline. For hikes where shuttle of vehicles is necessary, make sure that all drivers know the method/route to spot vehicles at beginning and ending trailheads. For key exchange hikes, make sure that all drivers understand which trailhead they are driving to at the start of hike.

Use and follow the driving directions provided. Do not take your group on any local “shortcuts” or your “favorite way”. Most drivers will be from out of town and staying on main roads will usually work best.

Inform all hikers that they must reimburse the driver for round trip transportation costs to and from the hike site. The suggested reimbursement amount is shown on the top of the Driving Directions. If there are any parking fees (such as at State Parks), they should be shared.

Identify any medical conditions that your hikers may have. Request that they tell you in private before the hike starts if they do not want to share with the group.

Identify any hikers with special training (physicians, nurses, etc.).

Be aware of forecast weather considerations that could influence the safety of the hikers and the protective clothing that may be required. These conditions would include possible thunderstorms, heavy rains, flooding, and heat waves.

Be sure that all hikers have adequate food and water for the hike. In hot humid weather, one quart of water per person for every three hiking miles is recommended. Make sure that all hikers have brought lunch food or snacks if the length and time of the hike warrants this.

Prior to leaving the parking lot, give a copy of theList of Participants to the Departure Area Attendant. To make sure that all drivers are following and that no one is left behind, line up on the exit road after leaving the parking lot and prior to leaving the campus. Assure that all drivers are lined up and have flagging tied to their vehicle.

AT THE TRAILHEAD

Brief all hikers on the following items. Hike overview; safety precautions and emergency procedures; any hike restrictions; environmental concerns such as litter, etc.; possible dangers of dehydration, untreated water, bees, ticks, snakes, bears, etc.; pit stops, lunch break, and need to stay together.

Review trail maps. Each leader will be provided with a trail map. Show the trail map to the hikers and explain the hike route, key intersections, hike terrain, scenic views, trail marking conventions (i.e., white or blue blazed), planned lunch stop, possible exit points along the trail in case of problems, and approximate time and place that the hike is scheduled to end.

Assign an experienced hiker to be the “sweep” (last person in the hiking group) and give this individual the first aid kit. If there is a co-leader on the hike, he/she should usually take the sweep position. Inform the sweep that his/her duties will be to reorient confused hikers, to assist with first aid if called upon, and to assure that all hikers are in front of the sweep and that no one is left behind. The hike should not leave the trailhead until one of the hikers accepts the responsibility for being the sweep.

DURING THE HIKE

Be the lead person at the front of the hiking group. If leading at the front becomes inadvisable for some reason (i.e., assistance required for a weak hiker), the lead should be passed to the co-leader or some other reliable hiker with knowledge of the remaining hiking trail. Be sure the new lead hiker is aware of possible confusing intersections ahead and will take appropriate action to prevent the hikers from making wrong turns on the trail.

Maintain control of the hiking group. On the trail, at every trail junction or every 30 minutes, make stops to ensure that all hikers are still with the leader. It is the leader’s responsibility to keep the hiking group intact between the leader and sweep. This does not infer that all hikers must remain within a tight cluster. If a hiker insists on hiking in front of the hike leader, that hiker will be informed that he/she is now on his/her own. He or she will no longer be considered as part of the hike group and assumes all risk for safe return to Emory & Henry. If it is apparent that someone is physically not capable of completing the hike in a reasonable time, it is advisable to send him/her back with someone.

Watch for lost hikers. If any hiker is unaccounted for, the leader must assess the situation and is expected to use good judgment in determining the best course of action to find the lost hiker(s).

If you encounter another hiking group, do not join them. There are restrictions on the size of parties in some places, especially in designated Wilderness

AFTER THE HIKE

Count hikers and be sure all are accounted for at the end of the hike before returning to Emory & Henry Campus. If a hiker is missing, the leader must initiate action to find the lost hiker. If the situation is a true emergency, call the appropriate emergency numbers on the list provided in the first aid kit. Also call the campus emergency number and have a message delivered to the Hike Desk or Hike Chairperson.

UPON ARRIVAL BACK AT THE CAMPUS

Notify the Hike Desk of the completion of the hike and that all hikers have returned safely.

Notify the Hike Desk of any noteworthy events or adverse trail conditions.

Return the First Aid Kits to the Hike Desk, noting any restocking needs.

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