For those leading our A, B or C walks, the following guidance applies.
Our trips are always to a specified destination. Most are circulars, starting and finishing at the same point, ideally somewhere the coach can park. Some or all of the groups may be dropped off beforehand to complete a linear walk, or occasionally picked up on the way home.
We expect walk leaders to have a planned route. Previous walks to your destination can be searched on the website (see details on the Walks page) or other members may be able to provide help if required. The walk details are needed for publication ideally a month in advance. If your intended route will not be circular, it is important to agree your start point well beforehand as this may affect the coach route and other walks being planned.
A recce is recommended, but not essential for those familiar with the area and/or capable of reading a map or using GPS technology to safely complete their planned walk. If a recce has been completed, you can claim a free trip. A gpx file is provided for each route on the website. If you can record a GPS tracklog during the recce, we can use it, otherwise one can be drawn in a mapping app such as Memory Map.
Osala.org.uk can be used to view a downloaded GPX on an OS 1:25k map online (Instructions here).
Jim Fothergill will coordinate arrangements, especially the coach drop off points, and can provide suggested routes, gpx files and answer queries if needed. His contact details are 07900 793408 or email FreebootersRamblingClub@gmail.com
Walking rates of around 2.25 miles an hour for strenuous A walks and 2 miles an hour for B’s are good indicators. For a 7-hour day in summer (start times around 10.30 and finish at 5.30) walk lengths of 12 and 10 miles, with allowance for breaks, should be comfortably achieved (grade guidance is on the Home page). Remember that actual timings will be dictated by the slowest walker in your group and may take longer than your recce.
Ideally, have someone experienced to act as a back-marker. Take care not to get too far ahead or out of sight of any of the group. It is important to wait for slower walkers at any junction where they might go wrong. Also, they are more likely to need an occasional “breather” than stronger walkers already waiting for them to catch up. Count the number of walkers at each stop, including the start and finish of any breaks. Try to make the coach leaving time, but safety is more important than speed. If possible, contact another walk leader if you expect to be late.
All of our walkers should have seen the Comfort and safety page. If, before setting off, you feel someone does not have appropriate kit, seems unwell, or is not confident that they can manage the proposed distance and ascent, it is for you to decide if they can walk with your group. If this only becomes evident later on (e.g. if there is an accident or someone cannot manage the walk as planned) you may need to make a suitable adjustment, perhaps splitting the group if another walker is able to act as lead. Have contingency plans in mind to shorten or ease the walk should this prove necessary.
Similarly, if you have any doubts or concerns about the developing conditions or weather, or in the event of an accident, be ready to adapt the route accordingly. By all means take advice from others in the group but, as leader, you need to make the decision. Once taken, our preferred ethos is that all walkers in the group should then be supportive and stick together.
If anyone in the group chooses to take an alternative route, they must tell you their plans before doing so. Check that they have your mobile number in case of mishap. and are made aware that they do so entirely at their own risk. Also, make sure that you have a paper or file copy of our member's mobile and emergency contact details available should they be needed in the event of delay or accident.
For what to do in the event of an accident see the Emergencies page.