 Every party on a hike must have a recognized and capable leader who has a knowledge of the route to be followed and who can make the necessary decisions to ensure a safe and successful hike.
The leader has a number of duties, most important is the responsibility for the well-being of the party and to act in the best interest of every member of the group when faced with an emergency.
The leader must exercise common sense in the face of unforeseen circumstances, as well as make balanced decisions A sense of humour is a good attribute, especially when leading a diverse group! Styles of leadership vary, but generally the leader has to maintain good morale through sound leadership skills acquired over a period of time.
 In some cases the route on the trail or wilderness hike can be varied by the leader to suit the abilities of the hikers in the group. This often means adjusting the route to suit weaker hikers, or reducing the pace. Hikes are graded to advise the members on the distances/severity of routes and members must take this into account when booking for a hike. Naturally, knowledge of map reading is important for a leader, as well as basic first aid and safety (Negotiating difficult terrain, mist, organising a rescue, finding lost hikers etc.)
The leader will also endeavour to keep the group together during the hike, unless the large size of the group dictates that it is split, with both groups headed by a competent leader. Too often members break away and march out ahead, and out of communication range making the leader’s task very difficult, especially in case of an emergency or change of plan. |
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