October 22, 2024
For a lot of people (and maybe you too?) adventures are more fun when you’re joined by friends or family. Planning a route that’s safe and enjoyable for everyone can feel like a lot of responsibility though, especially if you’re not a super-fit, mountaineering superstar yourself.
Because the NaturFreunde* organisation has been qualifying trainers in mountain sports for decades, we figured speaking to two of their hiking guides about how to plan a route for a group (especially one with mixed abilities) is a good place to start.
Read on to hear Wolfgang Gößwein and Albin Stieber, from NaturFreunde Rosenheim, speak about how they manage the responsibility of planning a group adventure in the mountains…
Komoot: There are obviously many factors to consider when thinking about a group activity (which is why it can feel a little overwhelming), so what’s the most important factor to consider when planning a group adventure?
NaturFreunde: The most important point is that the hike must be safe for all group members. The [technical] difficulty, distance and altitude profile should be manageable for the weakest group member.
Komoot: But fitness can be quite subjective, and it’s hard to know exactly how fit or experienced someone is, especially if you don’t regularly hike together. How do you assess the fitness and skill level of other group members?
NaturFreunde: There are different options, depending on the difficulty of the route and distance or time required. It clearly makes sense to ask each participant about their fitness and skill level before you plan the route. And if it's a multi-day hike you have in mind, we recommend a practice run before you commit to a big route together (if possible). You can also use the first day as a temperature check to ensure everyone is as fit and confident as they claim. Your gut feeling is also important here – it’s better to be cautious if you think you or someone else might struggle. Finally, before heading out, we always ask whether everyone is feeling healthy and if they have any health issues we should know about. Even low-probability events like an allergic reaction can turn bad pretty fast in remote places. That makes this kind of information important.
Editor’s note: Learn more about how komoot’s fitness settings work here.
Komoot: That all sounds pretty serious – and rightly so – but how do you balance the desire for a challenge, and the need for safety, with the equally important need for fun?
NaturFreunde: Creating a sense of group solidarity is important for the fun aspect. For example, you could do this by setting up a whatsapp group where everyone can get excited together before the adventure. Before you head into the mountains (or other remote regions) it’s also important to establish some ground rules, like everyone stopping at junctions or at the top of climbs. This way we ensure a sense of togetherness and camaraderie, despite people having slightly different paces or confidence levels.
Komoot: Good tips on camaraderie. Now we have another serious question: What are some common risk factors to be aware of when adventuring as a group?
NaturFreunde: Group-specific issues to be aware of are intentional or unintentional peer pressure – people pushing themselves too much or doing things they aren’t comfortable with because they’re shy to speak up. It’s important that everyone feels safe to express their feelings in a group environment, especially up in the mountains where safety can become an issue.
Of course you should be aware of the general risk factors too: Health challenges (such as diabetes or allergies to bee stings). Not setting a steady, realistic pace causing people to get tired too quickly. Poor equipment for extreme situations, such as a lack of weather protection or a change of clothes…
Komoot: Speaking of group dynamics and giving everyone a voice, what advice would you give for a group that runs into an unexpected situation, for example the trail disappears under unexpected snow, or the weather starts changing dramatically?
NaturFreunde: Safety always takes center stage. First of all, analyze the situation. Is it likely that the path will remain buried or is it just a short snowfield? Does everyone in the group feel confident? Have they got the right gear? How far away is the nearest hut?
With the information you have, make a decision based on the least risky option. This could mean reaching for your specialist equipment, even if it feels like overkill for some members of the group, or even turning back. Sometimes avoiding the risk altogether is the best option.
Komoot: Do you have any tips for ensuring that the group is a) happy, and b) safe while on the trail e.g. managing the pace to stay on schedule, managing snack/water breaks?
NaturFreunde: Managing the pace is definitely important and, based on experience, it’s usually more necessary to slow groups down, as they often set off too quickly. Managing timed breaks is of course part of this. The first break should be about 15 minutes in, to see how everyone’s doing and give people a chance to adjust clothing (e.g. adding a jacket, or removing an extra fleece). Beyond that, a drink break every 45 minutes or so and a longer break every two hours works well.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Find more tips and resources for staying safe and having fun in the mountains here.
*NaturFreunde Deutschlands is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development for the sake of the natural environment and society at large. A lot of their work focuses on making nature more accessible, especially to socially disadvantaged people. They do by organising campaigns and activities, like training mountain sports coaches and guides, and offering affordable accommodation in around 400 Naturefriends houses across Germany.