Leaving a detailed itinerary could save your life

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In today's email

• Leaving a detailed itinerary could save your life

• The need for speed

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WHY LEAVING A DETAILED HIKING ITINERARY COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

Today, we’re delving into a topic I am well known for—trip planning! Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, trip planning is crucial for a safe and enjoyable adventure. Stick with me until the end, and I’ll share a little gift to help you on your next hike!

When preparing for a hike, especially in remote or unfamiliar areas, it’s easy to focus on gear, routes, and weather conditions. Not to mention the excitement in general that comes with preparing for a new adventure!

However, one critical aspect of preparation that often gets overlooked is leaving a detailed itinerary with a trusted person or persons. This simple step can be a lifesaver, ensuring that help can find you quickly in the event of an emergency. I have left a detailed itinerary with my family on every trip I have been on for well over twenty years, even for day walks. It is now something that my wife expects to receive before I head off on any walk.

Today, we’re exploring why this practice is so important, what to include in your itinerary, and how it can be a crucial part of your hiking safety strategy.

The Importance of Communication in Hiking

Hiking, especially in wilderness areas, comes with inherent risks. Even the most experienced hikers can find themselves in unexpected situations—injuries, getting lost, sudden weather changes, or encountering wildlife. In these scenarios, communication is your lifeline. While carrying a satellite communicator or personal locator beacon (PLB) is vital, these devices can fail or may not work in certain conditions. That’s where a detailed itinerary becomes indispensable.

By leaving a thorough itinerary with someone you trust, you’re creating a backup plan. If something goes wrong and you don’t return as expected, the person holding your itinerary can alert authorities, providing them with critical information about your route and expected timings. This proactive step can drastically reduce the time it takes for rescue teams to locate you, potentially saving your life.

Additionally, and if they are available, make sure to record your trip intentions in logbooks at the starts of walks or at huts and campsites. These entries are crucial for search and rescue teams, helping them pinpoint your last known location if you're reported overdue or missing. They can also be vital in emergencies like bushfires, aiding authorities in tracking down hikers in the area. This simple action complements your itinerary and further increases your chances of a swift rescue.

What to Include in Your Hiking Itinerary

A well-prepared itinerary is more than just a checklist of where you’re going—it is a comprehensive document that can significantly improve the chances of a successful rescue if things go wrong. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what I include in my itinerary to ensure maximum safety on a hike:

1. Your Route and Alternative Routes

 Primary Route: Clearly outline the main trail, path or route you plan to take. Include specific start and end points, significant waypoints, key landmarks, and estimated times of arrival at each location. These details give rescuers a clear idea of your intended path, making it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Alternative Routes: Always prepare for the unexpected. If you have planned any alternative routes or detours, such as different paths you might take due to weather conditions or trail closures, include these details. Sometimes, you may need to change your route due to unforeseen circumstances, and having these alternatives documented ensures that rescuers know where else to look. I will often include potential route alterations or alternative itineraries (should plans change).

2. Expected Time of Return

Time and Date: Specify the exact time and date you expect to return. This is the critical moment when your contact person will begin to worry if they haven’t heard from you. Obviously, if you have communication capabilities, you can update the outside world of any delays and route changes but the itinerary provides a fall back in the event this fails or that you are stuck.

Buffer Time: Include a buffer period (e.g., 2-3 hours) to account for minor delays like challenging terrain, weather changes, or unexpected stops. Make sure your contact person knows when to initiate a search if you haven’t made contact by this extended time.

3. Group Information

Number of People: Document the total number of people in your group, along with their names. This information is crucial for search and rescue teams, as they need to know how many individuals to search for.

Contact Information: Provide phone numbers and emergency contacts for every group member. This ensures that rescuers can reach out to others in the group if someone becomes separated or if there’s a need to gather additional information.

4. Vehicle Information

 Parking Location: Mention exactly where you’ll park your vehicle (I like to include a link to a pin on google maps), including the parking lot name, coordinates, or nearby landmarks, along with a description of the vehicle and its licence plate number. Knowing where your car is parked helps rescuers determine your likely starting point and your expected return location.

Alternate Pickup Points: If your hike includes an arranged pickup at a different location, provide those details as well. This information helps rescuers understand your full travel plan.

5. Planned Activities

Activities: Detail all planned activities during the hike, such as peaks climbed, side trips, or camping. This can give rescuers insights into where you might be at specific times if you deviate from the main track.

Duration of Activities: Estimate the time each activity will take. For example, if you plan to summit a peak, provide an estimated time of the proposed side trip. This helps narrow down your location if you are delayed or go missing.

6. Emergency Equipment

Communication Devices: List all communication devices you’ll carry, such as a satellite phone, personal locator beacon (PLB), UHF radio, or smartphone. Include the device’s contact numbers or frequencies so rescuers know how to attempt communication with you.

First Aid and Survival Gear: Mention any first aid kits, emergency shelters, fire starters, or other survival gear you’re carrying. This information helps rescuers assess your preparedness and potential survival time in case of an emergency. I normally just provide a link in the itinerary to my gearlist.

7. Health Information

Medical Conditions: If anyone in your group has medical conditions or requires specific medication, include this information. Rescuers need to know about these conditions to prioritise care during a rescue.

Allergies and Medications: List any known allergies or necessary medications. This ensures that any medical intervention is appropriate and safe.

8. Weather Considerations

 Weather Forecast: I normally include a summary of the expected seasonal weather conditions for the duration of a hike. This can help explain delays or provide context for your contact person if the weather turns bad.

Plans for Weather Changes: Describe how you plan to handle adverse weather conditions, such as seeking shelter, altering your route, or delaying your return. Knowing your contingency plans can help rescuers adjust their search strategy accordingly. I will always include this for my off track adventures as we will often have potential river crossings that, if flooded, could delay our finish time.

9. Local Contact Information

Rangers and Authorities: Provide contact details for local park rangers, forest services, or other relevant authorities. If a search needs to be initiated, your contact person can quickly reach out to those who are familiar with the area.

Local Accommodations: If you plan to stay somewhere before or after your hike, include the details of those accommodations. This information can be useful if you need to be contacted before or after your hike.

By including all of these elements in your itinerary, you’re not just documenting your hike—you’re creating a comprehensive safety net that ensures you have the best possible chance of being found quickly in case of an emergency. This level of preparation is essential for any hike, especially when venturing into remote or challenging terrain.

Case Studies: Real-Life Examples of the Importance of an Itinerary

To underscore the importance of leaving an itinerary, let’s look at a few real-life examples:

via GIPHY

1. The Case of Aron Ralston

Aron Ralston’s story is famous due to the film "127 Hours." He went hiking without telling anyone his plans, and when he got trapped by a boulder in a remote Utah canyon, no one knew where he was. It took over five days for him to be rescued—after he had to amputate his own arm to free himself. If he had left an itinerary, rescue could have arrived much sooner.

2. The walker that was never found

James Hugh McLean, a 76-year-old seasoned bushwalker, set out on a solo month-long trek in Tasmania's South West National Park in November 2018. It is suspected he was underprepared for the harsh conditions, carrying only minimal supplies and no personal locator beacon. After his last sighting on November 12th, 2018, a comprehensive search effort failed to locate him. The coroner later declared him deceased, and determined “that his lack of appropriate equipment, including a PLB, may have contributed to his death due to hypothermia.” McLean's tragic story underscores the vital importance of thorough preparation, an itinerary and safety precautions when embarking on outdoor adventures.

3. A Positive Outcome on Tasmania’s Overland Track

In contrast, a 28-year-old Victorian bushwalker was successfully rescued after spending a night in freezing conditions on Tasmania's Overland Track in June 2023. After injuring her ankle, the woman activated her personal locator beacon around 5:30 pm on a Sunday, signalling her location two kilometres south of Kitchen Hut near Cradle Mountain.

Due to harsh weather conditions, a rescue helicopter could not be deployed, so a team of police, paramedics, and SES personnel trekked in on foot, locating her at 1:30 am. Despite the challenging wind, rain, and snow, the woman was praised by police for being well-prepared with appropriate gear, food, and a registered walk plan, which aided the rescue operation. This incident highlights the importance of proper preparation and safety measures, especially when venturing into Tasmania's remote and rugged landscapes.

Final Thoughts: The Simple Step That Could Save Your Life

Hiking is one of the most rewarding outdoor activities, but it comes with risks that can’t be ignored. By taking the time to leave a detailed itinerary with a trusted person, you significantly increase your chances of being found quickly if something goes wrong. It’s a simple step that could mean the difference between life and death.

Remember, your safety is paramount. No matter how experienced you are, always take the time to plan thoroughly and communicate your plans clearly. The wilderness is a beautiful place, but it can be unforgiving. Stay safe, stay prepared, and keep exploring!

As promised at the start of this post, I’m sharing a little gift to help you on your next hike—a free download of my Hiking Itinerary Template.

Trip planning is something I’m passionate about, and this template is packed with all the essential details you need to ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, this tool will help you prepare like a pro.

Download it, fill it out, and make your next hike your best yet!

THAT’S ALL FOR THIS WEEK

Thank you for reading Mowser’s Musings. I hope you found it helpful.

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Until next week.

Stay well,

Mowser

Helping hiking enthusiasts explore the great outdoors

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