Heading out on a hike, especially in remote or rugged terrain, demands more than just good gear and a clear route in mind. Leaving a detailed trip plan and map with a trusted contact is a critical safety step. This simple precaution could be the difference between a successful hike and a life-threatening emergency, ensuring that help can be directed to you quickly if needed.
Why Leaving a Map is Important
Providing a comprehensive trip plan goes beyond simply sharing your route. It’s about ensuring your emergency contact has all the critical information they need to coordinate a swift rescue. When preparing your trip plan, include these essential details:
Key Details to Include in Your Trip Plan
1. Detailed Route Information
- Physical and Digital Maps: Provide both a paper map and a digital backup. Ensure your physical map is waterproof and take a photo of it on your phone as a safeguard.
- Start/End Points: Mark your start and end points, planned campsites, and any emergency extraction points.
- Water Sources: Identify known or potential water sources along the route.
- Trail Details: Include the trail’s distance, estimated duration, elevation gain (difficulty), and direction of travel.
- Return Time: Clearly indicate your planned return time to guide your contact if you’re overdue.
2. Group and Emergency Contact Information
- Group Details: Include the names, ages, and phone numbers of all hikers in your group.
- Emergency Contact: Designate a trusted person as your emergency contact. Ensure they understand your plans and know when to alert authorities if you’re overdue.
- Emergency Contact Responsibilities: Make sure your contact knows when to call for help—specifically, if you haven’t checked in or returned by your planned time.
3. Trip Specifics
- Dates of Hike: Clearly state the start and end dates of your hike.
- Group Experience Level: Provide a summary of your group’s experience and the equipment you’re carrying, including any special considerations (e.g., first-aid skills).
- Terrain and Weather: Briefly describe the expected terrain and any weather or environmental factors that might influence your hike.
4. Technology and Backup
- Tracking Devices: If you’re using a GPS device, satellite messenger, or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), ensure your contact knows how to access your device’s location.
- Phone App Location Sharing: If using an app that shares your location in real time, make sure your emergency contact has access to this information.
Vehicle and Parking Details
Vehicle Identification: Include your vehicle’s make, model, colour, and registration (number plate) in your trip plan. This is often the first thing Search and Rescue (SAR) teams look for.
The “Visor” Method: Place a copy of your map and trip plan inside your vehicle, either on the dashboard or behind the sun visor. This ensures it’s accessible to emergency responders if your vehicle is found at the trailhead, without advertising your return time to potential thieves.
Safety Reminders: Best Practices Before You Leave
- Complete a Trip Intentions Form: This form helps document all necessary details of your hike, ensuring you don’t overlook critical information. It provides your emergency contact with everything they need, as well as creating a clear record for rescuers. Complete a Trip Intentions Form here.
- Inform Your Emergency Contact of Changes: If your hiking plans change—whether it’s an altered route or an extended stay—immediately notify your emergency contact.
- Check Trail, Weather, and Safety Conditions: Before heading out, make sure you’re aware of current trail conditions, weather forecasts, and potential bushfire risks in the area.
“Late-Back Time” and Contact Protocols
When setting your planned return time, let your emergency contact know the “Late-Back Time”—this is the time when they should start considering your delay. For example: “If you haven’t heard from me by 8:00 PM, wait one hour, then call 000 (Triple Zero) for Police assistance.”
This prevents unnecessary searches while ensuring timely action before it’s too late in the night.
If you’re using apps like Strava, or Garmin Connect, make sure your Live Track or Beacon link is sent to your emergency contact before you lose mobile service at the trailhead.
Final thoughts
Leaving a detailed map and trip plan with a trusted contact is one of the most effective ways to ensure your safety while hiking. By providing all the necessary information, you enable rescuers to act quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency. Take a few moments before you set off to create a comprehensive trip plan, and hike with confidence knowing you’re prepared for anything.
Explore related guides
- Trip Intentions Form
- Reading Topographic Maps
- Understanding topographic features
- Weather Guide for Hiking
- First Aid Kit Guide
- What to Do If You Get Lost Hiking
- How to Use a Personal Locator Beacon
