Hello to all mountaineers! Thank you for your interest in our hikes and our activities. Since you are reading this text, you probably want to go to the mountains, to get a charge of new emotions, to gain impressions and meet new people. I sincerely congratulate you – you're on the right track! In this article, I will tell you point by point what you should expect, going to hikes with "Kuluar".
Let's model the situation. With the route and the dates you have decided, you filled out the application form and the questionnaire, bought tickets and made prepayment (if necessary). Our manager answered all your questions, you are ready for the trip and there are 10 days left before the start.
What happens next is this:
- Pre-camping letter. We usually send it a week before the start. Here you'll find information about the group meeting, guide contacts, and other details of the trip. If there is something you don't understand – be sure to check it out with the coordinator!
- Group Meeting. Usually, the guide will come to the meeting point 15 minutes before the appointed time. He can be identified by a photo and symbols of the "Kuluar". It is important not to be late, and if you are – warn the guide in advance. If your train/plane has already arrived, the whole group is gathered, and you are not there without warning, and you do not get in touch – they will not wait long.
- Food Distribution. All food and community equipment is carried by the members. At the station or just after the transfer to the start point, the guide will give each their share. Men carry more, women less. In the hike of 6 days, men carry about 6 kg, and women 4 kg of food or general equipment.
- Safety instructions. Before you go on the route, your guide will give you a safety instruction about the rules of conduct in the mountains. Afterwards you are to sign a document confirming that you are going on the trip voluntary, you are informed about safety regulations and undertake to follow them.
- How to wear a backpack, how to walk. Before you go to the route, your guide will check your backpacks, will tell you how to adjust them and how to move better on the mountain roads.
- How to pitch your tents and what place to choose. As soon as you arrive in the camp, your guide will show you how to pitch your tents and will advise you on the best place to pitch your tents.
- Duty. Every day there are people on duty to bring water, cook food, and clean the pots. This is an uncomplicated and interesting experience. In fact, it is almost always the guide who cooks, and you just help him/her. Collecting firewood (where necessary) is the responsibility of all group members.
- Evening gatherings. After dinner the guide will tell you about the plans for tomorrow: what to expect, what we will see and what we'd better wear. After that we sit around the fire or at the table, play different games and tell stories. The bedtime depends on our mood and the difficulty of the day ahead.
- In the morning, the guide wakes up the people on duty. Usually we get up at 6-8 a.m. and leave camp by 11 a.m. at the latest. Time depends on the upcoming crossing.
- SMS at the checkpoints. At the summits (or other checkpoints) the guide sends sms to the coordinator. This way we know that all is well with the group and can write about it in social networks – so your relatives do not worry.
- Certificate giving out at the end of the hike. After the hike, we give out certificates confirming your participation in the program. You can hang them on your wall and show them to all your friends).
- Quality Control. A few days after the end of the hike, we will call you and ask a few questions about the organization of the hike and the work of the guide. Answer as honestly as possible, because it is your answers that allow us to become better.
Safety on the route
It is the guide's responsibility to ensure the maximum safety of the group along the route. It is the safety of the hike that is our top priority.
In emergency situations, the guide's decisions to change the route or stop climbing are non-negotiable and subject to immediate implementation. The mountains will stand for a long time, and you will come back to them.
Club guides are equipped for safety with:
GPS or a phone with a route track. To avoid getting lost during bad weather conditions.
- Two walkie-talkies. One walkie-talkie will be with the guide and the other with an assistant or one of the members. This will allow you to keep in touch if the group suddenly stretches. On climbs and winter hikes.
- A map of the region. In fact, you need it more to show you where we are going.
- Group first aid kit. We try to complete it so that it was as full as possible.
All groups are registered in the Ministry of Emergency Situations or other rescue services, where they are.
Remember! First and foremost, you are responsible for your safety. The guide can not control your every move. You yourself choose where to put your foot, do it carefully. The most common injury is exactly twisted feet. On no account do not come close to cliffs and do not eat unfamiliar berries and mushrooms, about all this is said in the rules, which you can get to know on the site and which the guide will additionally read out to you.
Atmosphere in the hike
One of the main tasks of a guide is to create a true friendly atmosphere. An atmosphere where one is for all and all for one. When the hike is easy and good. When there is a real team spirit, and after the hike, your group becomes a real family.
This work not only for the guide, but for all members. Usually such an atmosphere is created by itself, because there are enthusiastic people with glowing eyes on hikes. People who came here to take a break from talking about politics and the vanity of life. People who are interested in feelings and travel. They are easy and good.
A guide is also a person:)
The job of a guide is not as easy as it may seem. He has to think of everything, answer a thousand of your questions a day, organize anything and everything, feed you. And also to worry that each of you had a good trip, not to get wet and not to get sick. I ask for one thing – be understanding when the guide needs a little time to themselves, or when they go to bed a little earlier than you, because they are tired. Thank you)
If something goes wrong
We are growing, new guides are working with us, new routes are opening – in general, there are all sorts of processes going on to provide the best service and a memorable hike. But sometimes we make mistakes too. Therefore, if something was wrong – do not keep silent, be sure to write about it to us. We will take all measures to ensure that this does not happen again.
Please note! This standard applies to all hikes conducted directly by the club "Kuluar". Some parts of the hikes are held in cooperation with partners, in such hikes some points may be missing, but the overall idea remains the same – to run a safe hike and so that all members liked it.
Sincerely, Taras Pozdnii
the head of the club “Kuluar”