Party Management at Minor River or Stream Crossings

The Mountain Leader Training Association literature contains plenty of information about the technicalities of managing serious river crossings and quite rightly emphasises the need to avoid them if at all possible. However, here I would like to discuss the management of relatively inexperienced groups on more minor river or stream crossings. The sort of situation where you might comfortably just hop across on a few rocks if you were on your own, where the aim is to try to get across without getting wet feet. Nothing more difficult than that.

I have hopped across a lot of rivers and streams, especially in the Scottish Highlands and the chances are that I will have had a lot more experience of doing this than anyone else in my group. 

Nevertheless, I have found that a previously cohesive group of people who were happily following and trusting me suddenly start to behave strangely when they reach a river or stream. Some people will be worried. Some seem to acquire a desperate need to find their own place to cross. Some will underestimate the risks and others would follow you straight across putting their foot onto a rock the minute your foot left it if you let them. It’s a very strange business and it seems to happen with even the smallest of streams despite the fact that it’s so easy to slip and hurt yourself as soon as you step on slimy wet rocks.

So unless it’s really trivial, I strongly recommend stopping the group just before you get to the stream and telling them to wait. Go take a look and come up with a plan. A bit like managing a group in the mist when you need to take a compass bearing.

You’ve probably arrived at the stream where the path crosses it and this is likely to be a good bet under normal conditions but perhaps there has been a lot of rain. You need to make sure that the least stable person can get across here. Bearing in mind that some stepping stones might be slightly submerged or wobbly, are there some possibly slightly submerged, additional rocks that you could stand on alongside those that he or she might use? Could you stand there and hold out a hand to help them balance? Can you or someone else lend them a walking pole that could be passed back? Would it help if you took their rucksack across for them? If you don’t feel they could cope, then you need to tell the group to take a break while you look elsewhere.

At this point you probably need to manage the people with a desperate need to find their own place to cross. Explain that you have had a lot of practice at crossing rivers and you need to find a place where you not only feel everyone can cross but where the risks are minimised. It may be that there are several large dry stepping stones close to each other that seem easy but if someone did slip they could bang their head, get soaked or worse. It might be better to accept a greater risk of slipping where the only consequence is wet feet. Explain that you are responsible for getting everyone across safely and you would like them to help each other to get across as a group. You don’t want to find out that all the people with good balance and long legs are already on the other side.

If you really can’t find a crossing point nearby, to suit the least stable person then the whole group is either going to have to walk upstream until you can, or you are all going to have to go back. If you are going to head upstream make sure they understand that you are looking for a suitable place to cross and think about how you will get back to your original route safely. Do tributaries on the other side run through gorges for example?

Let’s assume that you have now found somewhere that meets requirements. Go across yourself, leave your rucksack on the far bank, then come back and place yourself in the best position to help people. Have your best two crossers go first and last so that they can help people start to cross and to step onto the far bank. Explain the plan to the whole group and then execute it.

Does all this seem like overkill? Well just pick out the bits that you feel are appropriate but at least remember to manage the situation. Don’t just hop across and hope people will follow you.

Sardinia

I've been learning Italian on and off for about 18 months so I was keen to go on a walking holiday in Italy. Sardinia sounded interesting and a bit different so when we saw that there was a Cicerone guide book, we thought we'd give it a try. Dorothy and I had previously had a good holiday in the Stubai Alps on the Rucksack Route using the Guide Book by Allan Hartley so we bought 'Walking in Sardinia' by Paddy Dillon and planned the trip for April.

We planned to spend ten days there from Friday to Monday - flying from Stansted to Alghero and staying at Dorgali for three nights, Baunei for four nights and Aritzo for the last three.

We'd booked the flights, the accommodation and the car hire on the internet so what could possibly go wrong?

We were expecting a Fiat Panda but they gave us a Renault Jeep, which is quite a large chunky car. Imagine a mini version of a Hummer. Once I'd got used to the controls, sitting on the left and driving on the right, we felt able to turn on the radio and listen to people talking Italian very quickly, but later on we were pleased we had the Jeep!

The Bed and Breakfast place we stayed at in Dorgali was excellent and they were happy to provide us with practically anything for breakfast. This was good as I don't think the default breakfast of sweet biscuits and rolls would have worked for us every morning.

One of Many Lizards

On the first day we walked over Monte Bardia and Cuccuru Cazzeddu from Dorgali to Cala Gonone and back. Cala Gonone is by the sea on the East coast and this was a combination of  two of the walks in the guide. It took us longer than we expected. As the guidebook said, the paths are rocky and stony and when you get there you discover how much this slows you down. The limestone scenery is very dramatic and we had a pleasant if slightly expensive salad in a restaurant overlooking the harbour.

We had planned to get some food for our packed lunch from the supermarket the next day but then we realised that it was Sunday and all the shops were shut. Never mind, we had a few nuts and some fruit. We'd manage. We drove to Oliena and parked by the church. The priest was out chatting to local residents. I hope we didn't pinch someone's parking space.

We walked up a very windy road then a track with many zig zags to finally reach the top of Punta Sos Nidos (1348m). Unfortunately it was bit misty at the top. Tricky route finding following little cairns and rocks in trees got us back via scree and forest tracks. There are so many Holme Oaks here. Also many white Asphodels.

Holme Oaks in the Sunshine

We'd eaten in a couple of different restaurants in the evening and enjoyed some inexpensive local wine along with free glasses of Mirto, the locally made myrtle berry based liqueur.

The next night was to be at an apartment in Baunei but first we went to see the Nuraghic village of Tiscali. The internet company is named after it and it is in a collapsed cave high up in the hills. The broken bridge described in the guide book had been replaced so we didn't have to balance across the river on boulders. Because of the ceramics that were found there, it is thought that the village was originally inhabited in the Bronze Age but also lived in during Roman times.

Tiscali

When we got to Baunei there was no sign of the owner of the apartment. My rudimentary Italian came in handy when I phoned him and explained that we'd booked the next four nights but he was surprised by this. He drove over to meet us and explained that we couldn't stay there because the bathroom was broken and the workmen were coming to repair it in two days time. He did find us an alternative apartment but it was 20 km away. He thought we'd be pleased as it was by the beach. Maybe that's where Victoria Beckham goes but we'd wanted the lovely view from the balcony and the close access to the mountains offered by the original apartment. He was trying to be helpful and as it was getting late, the simplest option was to go with the flow.

Unfortunately Dorothy had twisted her ankle a couple of times during the first three days so we took it easy the next day. I think we both needed a more relaxing day to be honest so we stocked up on food to cook in the apartment and had a look round the village of Santa Maria Navarrese. There are three picturesque rocky islands off shore and we had a nice lunch in a restaurant.

View from Santa Maria Navarrese

By now we were halfway through the holiday. On the Wednesday, we strapped up Dorothy's ankle and drove back through Baunei to Bar Su Porteddu near Golgo and followed the path to Cala Goloritze. This is by the sea and features in several local postcards with its sea tunnel and rocky limestone spire. We bathed our feet and Dorothy painted while a local school party played on the beach. We speculated that it was officially a Geography trip but in reality a pleasant day out for all concerned including the teacher. I expect they arrived and left by boat judging from the footwear. On the way we saw wild sows with their piglets snuffling about as well as goats. We made a detour to the top of Punta Salinas from where we could see a lot of the North West Coast and we met the boars on the way back.

Looking North from Punta Salinas

On Thursday I drove to Trieu and we went to see the Tomba dei Giganti (Tomb of the Giants) - an arc of stone slabs flanking a very large passage grave. The walk continued past many springs and fountains (sorgenti e fontane) often set into elaborate walls, troughs or even buildings. We often saw locals filling up plastic bottles from these springs so they are probably felt to have health benefits. I almost drove into the tailgate of a van and had a bit of a 'misunderstanding' with a woman on a zebra crossing on the way there, but no harm done!

Tomba Dei Giganti

On Friday we went back to Santa Maria Navarrese and walked along the cliffs to Pedra Longa, another huge limestone pinnacle. We then drove over very twisty mountain roads to the village of Aritzo which is further inland and where the geology is very different. Here there is granite and schist rather than the limestone with occasional basalt lava flows we had seen along the East coast. Allow plenty of time if you are using these twisty roads.

We stayed in a family run hotel and the next day we walked up Brunca Spina and Punta la Marmora, the highest point on the island at 1834m. From here you should be able to see most of the island but for us it was bit hazy. The drive to the walk was interesting. The road ran out of tarmac at one point and just became a rough track. Then a series of ridges made from hard mud, before going back to a track and after about a kilometer going back to tarmac. Good job we had the Jeep. Did the budget run out?

Back at the hotel I asked the owner about it. "Questa strada è rotto" (This road is broken) I said pointing to the map. He explained that it had been like that for 6 years and they tried to avoid going that way in the winter!

On our last walking day we drove to Tonara, a nearby village where they make Nougat. Unfortunately it was Sunday again so we couldn't try it. We ascended Punta Muggianeddu, an excellent viewpoint, on good tracks and extended the walk to include Punta Perdu Abes.

Artistic Schist

The weather had been more cloudy for the last two days which made for more pleasant walking conditions. Before that it had been warm but nevertheless quite bearable. We'd only had to put up with a small shower all holiday. Given the number of flowers we saw, especially some gorgeous purple crocuses, I'd say this was a good time of year to go.

No problems on the flight back. I had scuffed the rubber on the side of the Jeep and we were a bit worried about it. Over the week the vehicle had become nice and muddy so that the scuff was almost unnoticeable but on the way back to the airport the clouds opened and cleaned the car! We got away with it though.

The guide book was really useful but Paddy walks quite a bit faster than us.

Progress with the Munros

Having failed to do any Munros in 2014, I was keen to get the ball rolling again and get some winter walking in before spring had sprung. I also wanted to try out our mini camper van, a converted Citroen Berlingo. 

On Saturday I drove to Glen Feshie, which is directly South of Aviemore and spent the night in the van in the parking area at the end of the road. Bearing in mind the fact that many rivers were in spate, I thought it would be best to cross the Feshie, walk down to Carnachuin and cross back thus avoiding crossing the Allt Garbhlach. Unfortunately the second bridge had been washed away so I had to retrace my steps back to the first bridge. This added about 6 km (90 minutes) to the walk.

In the end I did manage to cross the Allt Garbhlach using a fallen Scots Pine.

Natural Bridge

The way up Mullach Clach a Bhlair (1019m) is on a wide track nearly to the summit but at the top there were White Out conditions. At one point I was walking in what seemed to be complete space with no reference points just keeping the compass needle between the two fluorescent strips on the compass.

I returned the same way and drove to the parking space at the end of the C Road, North West of Newtonmore. The forecast for the following day was for gales later, so I decided to start off early.

Sunday turned out to be quite an adventure and I was on my way by 6.30 am. There was a beautiful Sunrise.

Sunrise over Newtonmore

Sunrise over Newtonmore

I walked to Glenballoch then headed NW alongside the Allt Fionndrigh. (Allt means 'river' in Gaelic, known more colloquially as a 'burn'). After about 3 km there is a bridge across the river.

Bridge over the Allt Fionndrigh

I then crossed over the bealach (col) to Glen Ballach and followed that to it's head, turning SW to follow a ramp of hard snow and ice to the bealach below Carn Dearg (945m). By now I had my crampons on and my ice axe in my hand. As there was a strong wind with snow and ice crystals I also had my balaclava and snow goggles on.

Summit of Carn Dearg

Flushed with success, I decided to work my round to Carn Sgulain. This is about 8 km across featureless terrain but there is a line of fence posts so navigation should be fairly straightforward, I thought. As I went up and down over Carn Ban, Carn Balloch and Meall a' Bhothain I was finding the constantly strong side wind very tiring. Following the fence posts is fine until they disappear below deep snow. At these times I was back in White Out world.

It was hard snow so I put the ice axe away but kept the crampons on. By the time I reached Carn Sgulain (920m) I was exhausted. A' Chailleach would have to wait for tomorrow. I descended to the Allt Cuil na Caillich and over the shoulder of A' Chailleach to follow the Allt a' Chaorainn. The shoulder was very hard packed snow and even in my crampons I had to perform a small ice axe self arrest at one point.

I got back to the van at 5.30. A bit of an epic. It was a very windy night with the van being buffeted by gusts of wind and rocking me in my sleeping bag.

The next day I was away at 8 am and trudged back up alongside the Allt a' Chaorainn to a point East of A' Chailleach (The Old Lady). At this point the burn was narrow enough to cross. Getting from there to the summit of A' Chailleach (930m) involved crossing some more hard packed snow fields so the ice axe and crampons were deployed again.

It was snowing when I set out and on top it was cold and windy but the sun came out later and the combination of the sun and snow was lovely and made for some nice photos.

A' Chailleach on the left

Summit of A' Chailleach

Looking back at the summit of A' Chailleach

The cornice over the cliffs to the East of A' Chailleach

Allt a' Chaorainn

I got back to the van at about 3 pm and drove to the car park below Creag Meagaidh at Aberarder by Loch Laggan. There was a Plas y Brenin Minibus there all night so there may have been a group in snow holes somewhere.

I started walking at 7am as, once again, bad weather was forecast for the afternoon. It was quite windy but sunny on the way up with another lovely sunrise and good views of Creag Meagaidh and the distinctive bealach known as 'The Window'.

Sun Rise over Loch Laggan

Creag Meagaidh and The Window

I climbed directly to the top of Carn Liath (1006m). There were some more snow fields but not steep or hard enough to require crampons. At the top it was gale force. I can't remember ever experiencing such a strong wind. I hid behind the summit cairn to put my waterproof jacket on and get my walking pole out. I really thought I was going to have to crawl off the top at one point but just managed to walk off using the pole as a third leg. You can't see the wind in a photo so you'll have to use your imagination.

Creag Meagaidh from the summit of Carn Liath

I was back in the car park by 11 am and with the bad weather coming in I decided it was time to go home. Five more Munros bagged, 55 to go. The van is great but even for one person there isn't much space. Experiencing Scottish Mountains in all these different weathers is amazing but now creature comforts beckon. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Training to lead for HF Abroad 

I wanted to lead for HF Abroad so I did an Open University course and got my School German back up to a reasonable level. We're not talking fluency here - just enough to get by - manage to make a bit of conversation with people. However, the fact is that HF currently have two holiday locations in Austria and one in Germany. They sell a lot more holidays in Spain (9) and in Italy (7). Lots of people speak Spanish so I thought learning Italian would help me to get more appointments. In fact last year, they only accepted new Abroad Leaders who spoke some Italian!

I bought a copy of Rosetta Stone. I only have to pay two thirds of the price of courses because there's a deal at work where they pay one third. It consists of a series of DVD's that you install on your computer. There is no English in the course. You are introduced to Italian via pictures and Italian Phrases. There is also speech and voice recognition software. You could be any nationality and still do this same course as it's all in Italian. It sounds hard but it's easy enough to pick up. The trouble was that after about 3 months of this, I felt that I was (sort of) absorbing Italian but I didn't feel any closer to doing simple things like ordering a coffee.

I then saw a course organised by Calderdale Council. Italian for beginners in Brighouse. That's a bit of a trip but not too bad if I go after work. The tutor, Dennis was very good and it was fun learning alongside other students and having real people to talk to instead of a computer. Dennis based the course around the BBC 'Talk Italian' Books and CDs so I bought those. I could then carry on with those at home and move onto the second of the two books in the set. What I liked about Dennis's course and the BBC Talk Italian series was that it taught you phrases that would allow you to do things on holiday but used them as a hook to hang more general lessons on - to extend your vocabulary and grammar.

While I was leading at Glencoe I spoke to one of the other leaders who led abroad and he recommended the Michel Thomas CDs. The 'Total' course of 8 CDs is £90 but you can get it on eBay for about £12. I really like this. It suits the way my mind works. It's much more grammar orientated. I like having a structure that I can then build from.

Then I found a class in Hebden Bridge. About two minutes walk from where I live. The teacher Gillian is very good. I was able to join the intermediate class. The other students are a bit better than me but that's ideal. I have also gone back to Rosetta Stone and it makes more sense now.

So I thought I was ready to take the HF Abroad Assessment. This involved a long weekend at their house in Whitby. There was a lot of preparation required as I would have to do several presentations and discuss a number of different scenarios. There was also a language comprehension test and an aural exam. This was combined with a lot of training. It was full on, with every hour possible being made use of.

The short GPS course was particularly interesting. HF do provide a more in-depth course if you are accepted to lead abroad so this was just a taster. However, it made me realise how much the technology has improved. For years I have carried a Garmin eTrex in my bag in case I got totally lost and needed to find out my Grid reference. I've always been sceptical about using a GPS for navigation as I felt it threatened to erode the map and compass skills you'd need if the batteries ran out. However I think you have to recognise that it's too good a tool not to be using. Especially if you are responsible for the safety of a walking group. Many people on HF Holidays carry them now and it does look a bit unprofessional if the leader isn't equally well equipped. So I have taken the plunge and ordered a Garmin GPSMap 64s. I'll let you know how I get on.

I don't plan to rely solely on it. I like to understand what's around me and you need the map for that. It's just another tool. Let's face it, I haven't forgotten how to do arithmetic just because I use a calculator. Then again, perhaps I'm not representative of the average member of the population as I was Maths teacher for 12 years.

I'm very pleased to say that I passed my Abroad Assessment. So I am hoping to lead a couple of holidays in Italy next year.

I have told my manager at work that I want to take Early Retirement next year and we are currently in discussions about when I can leave and how they'll replace me.

Another year leading for HF

Two weeks at Glencoe, a week at Brecon and finally a week at Dolgellau. It's been good. The last week at Dolgellau was especially pleasant. We had some really good weather and they've worked hard at making it feel Welsh. You're not abroad of course but in my view, this is the closest it gets without crossing the sea.

This view of the western end of the Cadair Idris ridge across Llyn Gwernan is lovely.

Then there's this shot looking backing along the Arans Ridge with Aran Fawddwy in the distance poking out from a sea of clouds was marvellous after we'd been walking in mist for a couple of hours.

Sassongher

Dorothy and I had a most enjoyable holiday at Selva with HF Holidays. We were there for two weeks and in the first week I did their 'High Routes' holiday. My favourite day was the day we went to the top of Sassongher.

Sassongher (2665m) is to the East of Selva. We took the bus to Colfosco and then the lift to Utia Col Pradat. Here is the view part way there looking South.

Sella from Forc di Sassongher

There were a few cables for protection on the way up. Here is a picture of me at the top.

Pete on the summit of Sassongher

It's a very dramatic mountain as you can see from these pictures taken on the way to Rifugio Puez, before we descended to the beautiful Vallunga (valley).

Looking back at Sassongher on the way to Rifugio Puez

Looking back at Sassongher from nearer to Rifugio Puez

If you'd like to see more of my photos from the holiday you can see them here.

Tour De France in Yorkshire

It was a lovely sunny day on Sunday as the cyclists rode past our house in Hebden Bridge on the way from York to Sheffield. The roads had been cleared and the 'caravan' of cars and trucks giving away small cycling gifts had gone by when suddenly... whoosh, the breakaway group sped by. Then, two minutes later the peleton. All over in a flash. 

Tour De France in Hebden Bridge

We went over the road to the park to watch the rest on the big screen. Everyone has been saying how wonderful it was but I'm not sure it was really the cycling that they enjoyed. After all the cyclists went by in about three minutes. I think they enjoyed each other! Everyone was out on the streets having a good time together instead of being stuck in their boxes (homes) watching TV.

Calder Holmes Park

There was something slightly surreal about watching the race on television then popping out of your house and being in it. Then going across the road to what seemed like a festival or a protest rally.

The day before I'd returned from a week leading for HF at Brecon. We had some excellent weather and I think the wide empty expanses of the Brecon Beacons made a packed Hebden Bridge even more of a contrast.

Bannau Sir Gaer and Llyn y Fan Fach