Do you tell people where you are going?

[mregan]

I would have a habit of lifting the bike and going off into the mountains. Hike a bike and trail riding. I never tell anyone where I am going. Not even the missus. it's mainly because my route can change depending on how I feel etc.

Do walkers/climbers/bikers generally tell friends, family of where they are going?  I don't mean a wee jolly around a wood etc. Proper day out.

[Wolf_Larson]

mmmhhhhhh only tell them where abouts im going to be honest.

[Fred]

I would usually let my folks know roughly where Im going when I head to the mournes. This is usually just a rough indication because like yourself, my route planning happens on location. I think its important to give an estimated return time too.

Apart from the safety aspect, it may give relatives a bit of reassurance if they hear about an incident but dont know where you are.
Fred

[Rusty Madra]

I wouldn't tell people exactly but if I'm going into the Mountains by myself I'd send someone a message saying roughly:

"Going hiking in the Mournes... if I don't contact you by ..... O' Clock something's up... get the ball rolling with rescue etc"

At first I thought it was a little OTT but then as I got into more hazardous journeys it's a real reassurance.

I also find you can push yourself to more adventurous routes and activities when you've got this safety net in place.

In the same vein I got a set of Dog Tags made up that I wear in the Mountains with blood type, allergies, ICE info etc. Only wear them in the Mountains tho! Weren't too dear either £4 gets a full set with silencers fitted to your door.

[Al Fresco]

http://bit.ly/z1whxa

A great example of why you should let people know your destination and estimated return time.

[Wolf_Larson]

Wow thats the last thing you would think could happen. Very good exmaple and hope he pulls thourgh, regards to him and his family.

[Allyc]

did ya ever see 127 hours? that fella didnt say where he was going.... if he did maybe the film might have been called 27 hours    not a bad idea to leave details before ya go,,, just incase!!

[RedLeader]

I always tell the wife where I'm going but she has a tendancy to confuse places, I once spent a night on Commedagh and she thought I was on Bearnagh I always also tell a few of the ones on here where I'm headed. I'd never go out without someone knowing where I was headed, it's a bit risky.

[Chris E]

I always used to be "going to the mournes " but as I tend to be on my own and a bit more aware of trouble I usually send Mrs E a couple of texts to say where I'm going, when I'm there and when I'm back at the car.

I find texts work better with variable signals and are less likely to cause mix ups.

[whoRya]

I had a recent day trip when my walking partner had to pull out en-route.  I ended up being out much later in the day than first planned and wished I had left more details about my route and rough timings.  Knowing that no one else is about and no one else is coming up that day makes you feel a little bit vulnerable.  I reckon I'll leave more details from now on.

I wouldn't tell people exactly but if I'm going into the Mountains by myself I'd send someone a message saying roughly:

"Going hiking in the Mournes... if I don't contact you by ..... O' Clock something's up... get the ball rolling with rescue etc"

A bit more info may help the rescuers decide how to go about starting that search.

[mregan]

Good to see so many sensible people unlike an ejit like me.

I must start telling people were I am going.  I always carry a medical kit, foil blanket, compass and whistle in the hydro pack anyway.

[Chris E]

i must start carrying a first aid kit

[LandyLiam]

I have been guilty in the past of just popping into the hills for a quickie without letting anyone know (in the assumption they'd find my car a day later and hopefully me 2 days later, barely alive) but i now (especially after 127hrs) let my wife know every time, as mentioned above the best way is by text as its unlikely she'll remember any mourne mountain or track name i'll say  and if i change my route significantly then she's gets another wee text, simple 

But it's especially important for people who live alone to pick a responsible person to inform of their whereabouts, consistancy here would be important as you can imagine someone saying "he normally forgets to let me know when he's back safe so i left it for 24hrs before calling the police!"


good time to remind people of the 999 text service
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1550.msg14688#msg14688

p.s. always bring a whistle and know the distress call, 6 blasts

[hud]

I am a firm believer in given a good indication of what your route should be; if going as a group, I'd usually leave a route card, even though it might change up there. 

If on my own, I'm guilty of the 'gone to the hills, back Tuesday' attitude, but always text the missus a grid ref every 4-6 hours or so...she has no idea what it means, but her brother is a mountain leader so she knows to give it to him lol!

It can be extremely easy to get into trouble up them there hills and every little thing you can do to help, while it may seem OTT, could help save you

[Samm]

But it's especially important for people who live alone to pick a responsible person to inform of their whereabouts, consistancy here would be important as you can imagine someone saying "he normally forgets to let me know when he's back safe so i left it for 24hrs before calling the police!"

I am so guilty of this.  As someone who lives alone and hikes alone I should know better than to not tell anyone my whereabouts.  Being stubbornly independent will get me into trouble one of these days!