Safety and leadership in the Berg

I found this on 101 facility on Backpacker.com, it's quite a good framework for almost everything you might want to know and would certainly help with planning. Check it out... www.backpacker.com/backpacking101 B)

Oh! Another good hiking mantra;

Hiking is a team sport!

This was taught to me by our leader on the Grand Traverse some years ago...I still regard her (yes she ) as the best leader I have ever had the privilege of hiking with - just the right mixture of concern and toughness!

Come on Philip, drop a name there

It would not be Jenny Owens, would It.??

I helped re-supply a few GT's that she led and when she stopped doing the GT I was on yet another re-supply which she also led.



And then, when I started doing my own GT's, I had her old Etrex gps track as a standby. Many was the time when we all huddled and asked ourselves and the GPS “What did jenny do here, what did Jenny do here. ??"

OK, nostalgia, not being what it used to be, I'm off to bed.


G

Can only be the Queen of the Berg.

I had the privilege of doing 3 GTs with Jenny in the 90's.

I found this on 101 facility on Backpacker.com, it's quite a good framework for almost everything you might want to know and would certainly help with planning. Check it out... www.backpacker.com/backpacking101 B)

Thanks for the link ASL! I have found this entire thread really interesting

I have been wondering recently if there are any courses that one can do specifically related to hiking? To be clear: I am definitely not interested in qualifying to lead hikes in the Berg for remuneration nor am I interested in becoming a qualified guide. I'm don't even necessarily want to receive a certificate or any other qualification. What I am interested in is becoming a more knowledgeable hiker in terms of navigation, safety, survival skills and first aid skills (I'm thinking along the lines of scouts-style courses). Does anyone have any information about this type of thing? I don't currently belong to any hiking/climbing clubs.

Have a look at some of the courses offered by Rob Thomas: www.sml.co.za/productlist.php?TYPE=1&ACTIVITY=1

Some are for qualifications, but perhaps the "Basic Mountain Walking Leader" course offers what you're looking for? Or some of the workshops might be sufficient.

Friends of mine did an advanced mountain leadership course through him and recommended his services.

Thank you Stijn! Your link looks very promising

Also look at courses by Gavin Raubenheimer: www.peakhigh.co.za/courses2.php

A range of hiking leader and rock climbing and different levels.

@Kliktrak: that was roughly word for word what I was going to say!

ruthtbl wrote: What I am interested in is becoming a more knowledgeable hiker in terms of navigation, safety, survival skills and first aid skills (I'm thinking along the lines of scouts-style courses). Does anyone have any information about this type of thing? I don't currently belong to any hiking/climbing clubs.

You can also gain quite a bit of knowledge and experience by hiking with experienced hikers. I learned a hang of a lot from hiking with Tony Marshal, Jo Hall and John Pickup last year.