Short Walk Leader Guide Lines

BEFORE YOU START

Download “Short Walk Leaders Check List”. Study thoroughly and use at all times for reference during a recce and most importantly on Walk Day itself.

SELECTING A WALK

Short walks should be no more than 3 hours in duration and not more than 9 Km in length.

Short walks are intended to be within the physical capabilities of all Members, so try to avoid excessively steep gradients and difficult under-foot conditions. If these are unavoidable, they must be clearly identified and described in the Walk Description. As a general rule, the walk should be no more than one hour’s drive from Fuengirola and it is necessary to ensure that there is sufficient space for members to park their cars.

There is no maximum limit on walk numbers, though the normal Long Walk numbers should perhaps be used as a sensible guideline, consistent with having a manageable walk.

A coffee stop at a bar/venta prior to the walk is not essential, but can provide Members with a common meeting place. It is not necessary for the walk to start at this location, as Members can drive to the start following this initial meeting.

All walks are enhanced if there is pleasant scenery and interesting features and there are many such in our walking area. Should you require advice in selecting a walk, the Short Walk Co-ordinators will be able to offer advice and assistance.

WALK RECCES

It is necessary to recce the walk prior to writing the Walk Description. It may also be necessary for a final recce, shortly before the walk takes place. This will depend on various factors such a major change in weather conditions since the first recce. If you are intending to have a coffee stop, make sure the Venta is open on the day of the walk and at the time you will arrive. It is always advisable to ask the owner for his telephone number, so that you can check and if a large number have booked on the walk inform him of the fact in advance. A personal visit will confirm the speed of service likely on the day.

WALK DESCRIPTION

The Club has a standard form (MIDE Walk Description Template) for walk descriptions. This must be the only one used. A hard copy to write on can be obtained from the Long Walks Coordinator for those without a computer. One copy of the final walk description should be provided to the Short Walks Co-ordinator a minimum of one calendar month prior to the walk. In the meantime a copy of the previous Walk Description may be used for booking purposes. This allows Members time to book, or indeed cancel a booking. A photocopy should be made available on the Short Walks Desk, though it is preferable that Members download, or print, their own copies from the website. Be honest with the description, especially when describing ascents and descents and state how much climbing there is, whether there are narrow or wide tracks and potentially slippery surfaces, or drops that might affect members suffering with vertigo. Specifying times for ascents is helpful to those members who have reservations in this regard. It is also very important in the early Autumn and late Spring seasons to advise on what shade is available, if any. If there is a split walk, or an optional extension, be clear what the options are and the grading of the two components. Where possible add information about special features of the walk, like views, historic buildings, plants and wildlife. The fuller the description, the less likely it is there will be complaints – but be assured there will always be a few!

There is sample data in the Walk Description Template to guide you through the detail. Simply over-write this with your own walk details and “Save As” (e.g SW1819 Istan etc). Clear any fields which are only relevant to a Long Walk and leave blank.

ON THE MONDAY BEFORE THE WALK

Obtain a list of Members booked on the walk from the Short Walks Co-ordinator. This will give you an idea of how many to expect and whether there are also guests booked on the walk.

ON THE DAY

Remember that, even for Short Walks, appropriate footwear and clothing is essential, so do monitor this and don’t be afraid to refuse someone a start if necessary. Example – If it is raining and someone is wearing jeans and does not have waterproof over-pants, they will be saturated in minutes and not dry out naturally on the walk. If the weather is also cold or windy, this will only enhance the related dangers. Simply refusing a start will prevent a bad experience for the Member and eliminate a problem on the walk for you.