The Clinic

Take Five for Safety Simple Steps for Mountain Travel

By Brenda Porter, CMC Director of Education

Identify the hazards present 3

Observe the current environmental and human conditions

2 4

Make a plan

5

Communicate the plan

Stop and verbalize that the group needs a safety check 1

Thunder sounded in the distance, darkness was near, and Julie, a strong hiker, was now lagging behind. Cindy Gagnon, the trip leader, knew it was time to stop the group, assess the situation, and make a plan.

Cindy was describing this trip to me while we were sitting together at a workshop about assessing hazards in the wilderness. We were among 350 outdoor leaders, attorneys, insurance agents, and program directors gathered to learn about and discuss our common issues at the annual Wilderness risk managers Conference organized by the national Outdoor leadership School, Outward bound, and the Student Conservation association.

Cindy continued her story. The group of eight hikers was at the saddle, about half a mile of steep climbing from the top of bear Peak, their destination. They had gathered at 5 p.m. for a summer “best of boulder” after-work hike. There were three other CmC trip leaders in the group.

Cindy asked them to observe and describe the changing weather and human conditions. after some discussion, Julie, a new CmC member, said that she was very afraid of the thunder because she had recently moved to Colorado and was used to conditions in the east. Cindy did some teaching about field weather forecasting in Colorado; they could see storm clouds to the southeast. The group made a plan to keep a close watch on the clouds and stay wary for lightning, but continue on to the summit. They agreed to turn back if it started to rain (as the rock scrambling at the top would be treacherous) or if anyone saw lightning. They reached the summit of bear Peak and showed Julie how the storm was moving south of them. The group hiked back to the parking lot; they reached their cars at twilight, as rain started to fall.

Cindy felt that the safety model presented in the workshop—entitled “Take Five for Safety”—was much like the decision-making process she used on the bear Peak trip. it is a strategy that we can all use to make our trips safer, whether we are a trip leader or participant. i have modified the five step process for the CmC. The concept is simple: whenever there is a transition in trip activity or a change in people or environment, take the following steps: 1. Stop and verbalize that the group needs to do a safety check. 2. Observe the current environmental and human conditions. 3. identify the hazards present. 4. make a plan. 5. Communicate the plan.

The goal is for everyone in the group to be involved in the process, not just for the leader to assess the situation. This is a great teaching process for participants and helps to develop a culture of safety throughout the Colorado mountain Club.

So, the next time you’re out in the mountains, remember that a few moments of consideration can lead to a safe summit and safe return—and a lasting memory. △