Hike Leader Orientation

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Hike Leader Orientation
Roles and Responsibilities
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Thank You for being a hike leaderWithout you,
we are not a hiking club
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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)

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The Parking Lot

• We always meet at the same location

We always Meet here
Independence center
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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
• Dont allow hikers to rest too long
• Observe trail conditions for hazards

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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

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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
• Put sign in sheet in Club Mail Box or bring to
  Hike Leaders meeting and give to Caroline or Keith

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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

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Issues/ Concerns

• We are good neighbors
• Parking
• Noise
• Environmentally conscious
• Dont cut switch backs
• Careful not to damage ecosystem Cryptographic
  soil
• Pack out everything

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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

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Lets assume you are leading a hike...

• AndThen.

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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

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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

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On our web sitehttp//www.sunhikers.homestead.com
Club forms, for hike leaders

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

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Radios

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

Channel 4 and Sub Channel 4
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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

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Open Discussion

• Topics for information or further exploration