The mountains are beautiful, but they don't forgive carelessness. Most problems hikers face come from simple decisions: a late start, not enough water, or insisting on finishing despite bad weather. These are the rules I always follow.
Before the hike
- Tell someone who isn't coming with you which trail you're taking and when you expect to be back.
- Check the weather forecast.
- Choose a trail that suits the least fit person in the group, not the strongest.
- Charge your phone and download the trail map if you can.
While walking
- Stay together as one group. The fastest wait for the slowest.
- Stay on known paths and don't take shortcuts down slopes.
- Set a turnaround time and stick to it, even if you haven't reached your goal.
- Watch for signs of fatigue in yourself and others.
ForestPlay videoThe group in fog and rain0:23In an emergency
- Stay calm and assess the situation.
- If you get lost, stop and go back to the last point you recognise instead of pushing into the unknown.
- If someone is injured, don't leave them alone and keep them warm.
- In Morocco, the Civil Protection number is 15, and the emergency number from a mobile phone is 112.
Why a guide makes the difference
A guide who knows the area knows where paths disappear, where to find water and when to turn back. That knowledge doesn't come from a map, but from years in the mountains.