There is more to any mountain activity than meets the eye, quite a lot of planning (including choice of route) needs to be done before you leave home, yet alone set foot on the mountain

It is important that this planning takes place, and that it is done properly and fully

Route planning is the process of familiarization with all the possibilities on a chosen route

Route
planning

Look at maps and guides,
get an idea as to what routes you may wish to do.

Some of the factors that need to be taken into account
include those listed below :-

Items
affecting
choice
of
route
both during
the
walk
and
during
planning

objective
time of year
daylight hours
size and experience of group
fitness of party
number and experience of leaders
how well you know the area
difficulty of the ground
route length
available equipment
available transport
emergency procedures

Other
objectives
and
Considerations

you may wish to combine a walk with other objectives

e.g. training, or navigation exercise !

Do you have to start and end in same place ?
etc.

Recording your route

When planning a route remember

There are a variety of ways to record this information but one of the most common is in the form of a route card, or route tracing or both. The information given on a route card should include :- bearings, times, distances, and terrain descriptions to use as a check on the hill. Also include emergency escape route(s).

you must know how to make and complete a route card, who to give copies to, this should include your home contact.

Anyone you give a copy to must know how to act on this card if you fail to return.

• Never plan too long a route, because it usually leads to disappointment.
• Remember to allow plenty of time for rests, interest stops and minor delays and be aware of escape routes in case the day needs to be shortened.
• Plan alternatives for use in bad weather and be prepared to change your route if fitness, weather or lack of time dictate, flexibility is the essence of good planning.

Route Cards & Route Planning

if you would like some guidance or need to check the contents of a route card then visit my link

what information
should be on a route card

the page also includes
brief details about
route tracings
and checkpoints