Last month, following the tragic October storm in Nepal’s Annapurna region, we asked for your ideas on how to improve trekking safety. Amongst the dozens of respondents, there were those who felt that no further regulation of trekkers is needed, as well as those suggesting much greater control. The concensus of opinion, however, is that there should be better information available on the route for trekkers travelling independently. This includes information about the conditions that they will face during their trek and the minimum levels of equipment that they should be carrying for their own safety. Access to up-to-date weather forecasts at key points on high-level trekking trails also features in many of your suggested improvements. 

Many of you do support the idea of qualified guides being compulsory and recommend that these guides should carry both a GPS tracking device and a satellite phone. The use of high-vis marker poles on high pass routes and the building of shelters at regular intervals on exposed sections of trail are also proposed. For commercial groups, you suggest that tour operators should pay more attention to vetting clients to make sure they don’t choose a trek beyond their capabilities. You also ask if extra days should be built in to allow for contingency. Making sure that local guides have the authority to change the group’s itinerary in the interest of safety (and advising clients that this could happen) is another recommendation that we are happy to endorse. It remains to be seen which way the Nepalese Government will go in their approach to trekking safety. It’s a tricky subject and, as we said last month, we will be passing on your responses to TAAN at the end of the season.

Many thanks to all who gave us their views.

From last months enews...

Our thoughts go out to all the family and friends of the 43 who lost their lives in Nepal's largest mountain tragedy. The events have prompted radical change in the Nepali Government's approach to trekking, with calls for official guides being compulsory for all trekkers, GPS units for all parties, better weather forecasting, emergency shelters, etc. We are asking you your thoughts which we will compile and present to TAAN at the end of this season. As experienced trekkers we want your voice heard.

Here are some of your views...

Chris Dell

It seems to me that it is very important that trekking companies should actively make sure that guides/leaders they use are aware and confident that they have the discretion to change the itinerary when conditions (or come to that the capabilities of the group) demand it without adverse comeback on them, and equally that all those going on treks should be clear that this may happen and is not merely a protective bit of small print.

Alongside this the other obvious question is about the quality and communication of weather forecasts – both obviously difficult issues in remote parts of such mountainous regions where weather can be very local and communications difficult.

Ken Norman

1. Compulsorily certification to UK Mountain Leadership standard as a minimum for all Trekking guides and Sirdars.
2. Climbing Guides to Alpine Guide standard
3. Compulsory that guides carry Sat phones.
4. Mandatory that porters are equipped with boots (not sandals) and Gortex jackets and gloves and have to show these at the start of trek and not sell them along the trail.
5. Emergency shelters are a real benifit but must be regularly maintained and not allowed to deteriorate like some Scottish bothy shelters.
6. Hand Held Sat Navs may well be benificial if training is provided and user is competent.
7. Trek Companies must screen out trekkers who are not well equipped and can prove real  mountain  experience. Many of the Charity Trekkers  are mentally and physically ill prepared and should not be allowed on the Annapurna Circuit or other long trails with 5000m passes.

Allan Bordoley

Proper information should be given to all trekkers from all agencies and marked up at the beginning of the trek path, including if possible possible weather for the coming week etc.

Ian Gray

On our journey up to Annapurna Base Camp we met lots of fellow trekkers & what surprised us were the number of unprepared & guideless people on the route. The vast majority were foreigners without proper clothing carrying small backpacks WITHOUT guides or Sherpas.

Pete Crockford

It would be a great shame if the clamour for all trekkers to be accompanied by a guide were to succeed. Trekking without a guide is a hugely rewarding and liberating experience.

Peter Locke

Points to the trend for all operators to discontinue using leaders from the UK with trekking groups. At the same time, he suggests that UK trekkers have become more insistent on doing the spectacular treks regardless of their own past experience. These factors have had an impact on safety, he says.

On the popular routes there should be safety shelters every few hours , records of who is on the trail at any time, and trail/bridge maintenance. There should be local persons employed /paid in the gateway villages to popular passes who are legally able to close the route and organise mountain rescue.

Alex Lawson

With weather patterns changing more flexibility may need to be build into the itinery, eg days for rest or exploring without moving on,which can be altered more easily.Most trips are moving on every day.

Pauline Churchill – Everest Trek at the time of the storm

I was totally surprised to meet huge numbers of trekkers on their own, with no guides or helpers. Some of them tagged along with us, especially up to and after Gorak Shep, as it was hard to see your way to Everest Base Camp. We met people of all nationalities with no equipment at all - no gloves, packs, water, sunglasses, decent footwear - all trekking on their own.  At no time did we feel unsafe or in any danger.

This is the difference between a guided trek and doing it alone and I commend KE for all of their attention to detail.

Cherie Chapman

Two things that strike me is firstly if GPS, weather forecasting stations and more shelters are built the region will lose its sense of remoteness and lull the less experienced walker into thinking there is little risk.  Secondly many trekkers think that because they have hired staff they have automatically hired experienced Sherpas. This is rarely the case, most Nepalese come from low land areas or cities and although very willing have little experience of being in the mountains.  More pressure should be put on trekkers to be aware of the dangers and be made to take responsibility for the people they hire.

Sheila

Better information available on the weather and risks would be more helpful, so trekkers who are not very experienced are more aware of how serious mountains can be.

Marilyn Staib

Put frequent & visible strong marker posts on trails in problem areas. If visibility is poor & trail unclear, trekkers are far more likely to take the correct route if there are at least very fequent high visibility marker posts.

John Morgan

Hire a guide.  The whole thing is too easy. It is not just Nepal. There needs to be some sort of common / international safety understanding.

Martin Hebblethwaite

We support the idea of oficial guides being compulsory. 

Stephen Smith

It may not be within the capabilities of the Nepali infrastructure to police the proposed regulations such as all guides be qualified and carrying a GPS device and satellite phones.

I would say only mountain guides with an internationally recognised qualification be allowed to lead groups in remote mountainous areas. All porters and guides to equipped with adequate clothing and carrying emergency shelters. Guides to be responsible for ensuring clients and porters are suitably equipped

Cathryn Atkinson

Seem a very good idea to have weather information at the hut/base camp and at the village/town before.

Karen Goodyear

There is good internet coverage in my opinion and forecasting should be easily possible, several days ahead. When we needed it, it was down. Many independent Trekkers were woefully underequipped I have to say and a danger to everyone. We gave gloves and hats to our guides.