Walk Leader Page

• Ideas for walks: The Club Secretary has a file of walk descriptions, so may be able to provide you with some ideas. Searching the internet, walking books and the OS Maps App can prove fruitful – though beware that not all routes are well described.

• Maps: For planning and doing the walks you will need the relevant OS Explorer maps (1:25,000, 4 cms to 1 km/2.5 inches to the mile), preferably in hard copy as well as on your phone (if you use the OS Maps App) in case you lose signal or your phone battery runs out. You should be competent in reading maps. Here’s some useful guidance from the Ramblers’ Association: www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/navigation

Planning:

• Duration of walks (incl. breaks): around5 hours summer, 4.5 winter or thereabouts, dependent on the start time and grade of walk. The timing of C walks normally includes refreshments in a café at the start of the walk.
• Location – Within reasonable distance of Durham (usually not more than 2 hours), taking into account the time of year and whether the roads are suitable for a coach.
• Facilities – Is there anywhere for the coach to park? The A leader should ensure that there is adequate parking at the pick-up point or nearby. Can the coach turn round? Are there toilets at drop off points and if not can other arrangements be made? Is there a pub and a cafe? C walk leaders should check opening times and availability of cafes for the start of the walk, and book in advance if necessary. Will the cafe be open when the walks return? Note any toilet facilities along the way.
• Coach drop off and pick up points – when deciding the starting point for your walk, discuss your plans with the leaders of the other walks on that day, so that the coach does not have too much travelling around to do between drop off points. Good idea to drop A walkers, then B, then C if possible.

• Go with someone else – If new to walk leading, accept help and go with an experienced leader who will also be on the walk.

• Ideally, recce the route as near to the date of the walk as possible – Things grow at a remarkable rate in summer and can hide the path, paths can be closed for a variety of reasons or even disappear in extreme weather conditions. However, leave time in case you need to return again to change the route.

• Potential challenges/risks – Remember and log problematic parts of the walk where it might be possible to take the wrong path, for example. Think about the difficulty of the walk: length, height and issues of terrain. Think about any particularly hazardous features that may cause difficulty for those likely to go on your walk. Are there any challenging stiles, slippery rocks or streams to cross? Use the risk checklist form that accompanies this guide to help you anticipate any challenges along the way.

• Timing – It is very useful to time the walk in stages when pioneering – this keeps you on track on the day. Think about possible lunch stops and places for comfort breaks.
• Prepare a walk description – Briefly describe the walk, stating length, height gain, degree of difficulty and a summary of the route, including any points of interest. If the walk is particularly challenging, or has difficult parts, make sure you highlight this and recommend people think hard about whether this walk is for them. This written description would usually be from half to one page of A4. If possible email it to Terry Birchmore, Club Secretary, to circulate by the Wednesday before the walk.
• Cancellation of walks – Normally walks go ahead unless there’s a severe weather warning. The bus must be cancelled by noon on the Friday before the walk. So a decision would have to be made on the Thursday evening/Friday morning based on the views of the leaders together in consultation with Club Secretary, Terry Birchmore. On some occasions due to weather or other conditions, a leader may have to adapt a walk on the day. Walker safety is paramount. If a leader is ill or unable to lead the walk, please contact Sarah Banks (s.j.banks@durham.ac.uk) and Terry Birchmore (durhamramblingclub@gmail.com) as soon as possible, and/or see if you can find a substitute leader.

Before setting off

• Agree a time and location for the bus departure with the other leader(s). Get the list of emergency contact names/numbers from Terry, including contact details for the driver.

• Introduce the walk – explain the route and any risks or difficult sections. Ask people to stick to the laid paths in places like the Lake District where erosion is an issue. Request that walkers stick with the group and do not get too far ahead. Check if there are new walkers in the group, inform them what to expect and check that everyone has got the appropriate footwear/rainwear and fitness to do the walk (not everyone thoroughly reads the walk description). If you have concerns about the ability of anyone in the group to do the walk, you have the right as leader to decide that they should not join the walk.

• Count the number of walkers in your group at the start of the walk. Try not to lose anyone along the way! We recommend you appoint a “back marker” to watch the rear of the group and ensure that no-one gets left behind. Make sure to say that if anyone leaves the walk or stops for a comfort stop, they must let you or the back marker know.

• Set a reasonable pace but adjust if group is getting strung out. Be as aware of the back of the group as the front. Try not to let people get too far ahead or too far behind. If you have to wait for someone to catch up, let them have a breather.

• Checking as you go– Stop at junctions to check that all walkers are with you before making the turn. Keep a check behind you to ensure that the walkers are not too spread out. Let the stragglers catch up. Make sure that all gates are as you found them. Warn people of any hazards or difficult sections as you come to them.

• In case of accident – In the event of any mishaps, don’t panic. Assess the situation and call on support from fellow walkers. Hopefully, if it’s not serious, you can deal with the injury or issue. In the event of something serious, call for assistance or send someone for assistance, especially if you are in a remote area where there may not be a phone signal. If calling 999 doesn’t work, call 112. Check in the person’s rucksack for health details, if necessary. If someone needs to leave a walk early, ensure they are accompanied by at least two other people with details of the route. Make a mental note of the actions you have taken and send a report to the Club Safety Officer.

• At the end – Make sure everyone knows the departure time and where the coach will be.

• Pat yourself on the back – at least you got a free and enjoyable walk!