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Expeditions Terrain Zone 2
Hill Walking above 800 metres - Terrain Two
Terrain Two is above 800 metres above sea level, or requires an element of scrambling, or lies more than three hours travelling time from a road which can take an ordinary road-going ambulance or a building which is occupied such as a farm or another means of calling help such as a telephone box.
Firstly you need to read up on the Navigation sections that appear in the Beaver, Cub and Scout Sections to save stuff being repeated and be able to give a map reference and understand the symbols on maps. The map that you choose will normally be a 1:50,000 Landranger Ordinance Survey Map, or the 1:25,000 series. The later shows more detail, but may mean that you have to carry more maps. Also see that your maps are up to date!
Planning the Activity
When the activity is first agreed, your leader should make him or helself aware of the capabilities of each member of the party, usually by setting a less onerous activity to start so that an adequate assessment can be made. Check that each person has the correct equipment for the activity, and that the items as set out below are satisfied. Check the long range weather forecasts for the date of the event, and check again immediately before setting out. Check that adequate transport to and from the location is available, and check road reports for any delays or roadworks that might cause problems. Don't forget that parental consent forms will be needed for all persons under 18 that want to participate, and in any case it is good form for all participants to be given a note outlining the activity and where it will be taking place to give to parents, whatever the age of the member.
Equipment
Walking in the countryside means taking the right equipment. You will need good walking shoes or boots, wet weather wear, warm clothing, a hot drink and some energy giving food, a torch in case you finish up in the dark, your compass, maps, and a map case to protect your map, as minimum requirements. These days it is a good idea to always have at least two people in the party with a mobile phone for communication in case of emergency.
Route Plan
You need to plan your route. Develop a Route Plan for your journey with at least half a dozen reference points showing distance and approximates times at each point. Plan escape routes in case you have to abort your walk for some reason such as an unexpected change in the weather, or an emergency, and determine start and finish times. Note the grid references of the reference points on your plan so that you always know where you are, as well as at the start and finish points.
Emergency Contacts
Always have a Home Contact in the event of emergency. Your Home Contact should not be related to anyone in the party so that they will remain unemotionaly involved in a crisis, and they should have the telephone numbers of all members of the party for contact.
Risk Assessments
These days it is necessary for the Leader to carry out a risk assessment for every activity undertaken including appropriate emergency procedures in the event of a crisis. The Leader should check that all members of the party are medically fit, and if anyone has any known problem, the Leader must be made aware and include appropriate action in the risk assessment for dealing with such a problem should it arise, if the Leader deems that such a person is able to undertake the activity. If in doubt, a professional opinion should be obtained such as a doctor's note.
HQ information on Risk Assessments, and typical forms can be viewed [ HERE ], and see section (b) on the page.
The Party - and Leadership
Your party must have a leader, and those wishing to lead or supervise adventurous activities must be authorised where any Member participating is under the age of 18 or has a special educational need that places their mental age as below 18, must have completed First Response within the three years prior to the authorisation application, and been subject to a CRB check. An Authorised Leader for Terrain 2 must hold a valid First Aid qualification which includes hypothermia and hyperthermia training. To be authorised for other activities the activity leader must have completed First Response within the three years prior to the application.
The party size should not exceed seven people for one leader or be less than four. You may take more than one party, but the two parties must each have their own leader and must not walk together. On the walk itself, always have someone at point to lead the way, and have a back marker to bring up the rear whose job it is to see that nobody is left behind. Always be sure that your back marker can see the front point man and visa versa - never let the party get too strung out that it breaks up into separate parties. Your leader should determine the capability of each walker, and be aware of anyone becoming too tired, and it is good policy to have one of the slower walkers at point, because the party will always progress at the pace of the slowest walker.
Always notify your local Moutains Advisor in advance of any hillwalking activity.
Conduct
Remember to respect the Country Code. Walk in a sober and orderly fashion, close gates after you, don't leave litter around, don't deface property or damage vegetation or trees, keep to paths where appropriate, don't invade private property without permission, and all sorts of other sensible stuff that I am sure that you are aware of. If you are on a night hike, don't keep flashing torches all over the place and especially not on private dwellings, keep quiet - others may be trying to sleep, and don't disturb animals if you can help it else they will start to make a noise. Remember that at night, you need to get your night vision so you should not have to use torches unless you want to read a map, or you are within trees where even night vision may not be enough.
Emergency Prodedure
In the event of a crisis, you may have to implement Emergency Procedures. See the section on the previous menu.
Nights Away
For all Sections proposing to stay away overnight, except Network and Fellowship groups - see below - The Leader of the activity will require to have a Nights Away Permit, and it will be necessary to complete a Nights Away Notification Form. - The home County/Area Commissioner must be notified where the event is taking place within your own County, at least seven days prior to the event. If the nights away event is taking place outside your County, the District Commissioner of the host District must be notified, at least fourteen days prior to the event.
For Network members, if all participants are over 18, Nights Away Permit is not required, but the Nights Away Notification form must be sent off. - NAN Form rules as above.
For Fellowship Activities where ALL members of the party are over 25 years old, no Permit or Notification is required.
Always make sure, before you complete your planning, that you have not chosen a camp site in a prohibited or restricted area. These are listed [ HERE ] on Scoutbase to make it easy for you the check.
Finally
Have FUN.
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