Anatomy of a good hike leader

From lowering blood pressure and decreasing anxiety to reducing the risk of a heart disease diagnosis or reversing the course of diabetes, the benefits of hiking are numerous.

The American Hiking Society also includes weight loss, stabilizing cholesterol levels and reversing the effects of osteoporosis among the many benefits. Hiking can be more than a good time — it can be good for you.

Novice hikers, however, might not want to go it alone on the trails, and that’s where hike leaders come in. Whether it’s an established organization like the Dayton Hikers or the Miami Valley Outdoor Club or an informal group of friends, a good hike leader can make a big difference – just ask any hiker who struggled to keep up or, even, got lost.

What makes for a good hike leader? Local hikers weigh in.

Providing structure and direction

"I believe that one of the most important traits to being a good hike leader is to be able to provide a perimeter of structure and direction without controlling every aspect of the hike. You must be informed and have good hiking skills, survival skills, first aid experience, and ability to be flexible with the situations as they arrive. Risk management skills are a priority. Reviewing the trails, trail maps, and possible alternative trail access ahead of time is crucial. The ability to review hiker's expectations and skillset prior to an event will better ensure that there is a good match between the hike and the hikers. A good leader must be prepared for a variety of situations before they occur so that you can minimize and, hopefully, prevent unpleasant or unsafe situations from occurring in the first place." — Sharon Mullins, Miami Valley Outdoor Club

Keeping the group together

"I think it's important to make sure you are in tune with all the hikers. Not all are always as fast as the leader, so you need to be aware of everyone's speed. Sometimes I will have a hiker who just isn't having a good day and lagging behind a lot. In seeing this, I will ask for a sweeper or move to the back and follow that person so they don't feel discouraged about the hike. Or, after getting to the top of a hill – sometimes some hikers are slower going up the hill – it's important to wait for everyone. When the last one arrives, give them a rest too. Don't go as soon as they reach the top. They need to rest too. We want to have fun hiking and I try to keep it that way." — Teresa Annarino, Dayton Hikers

Instilling the joy of hiking

"My perspective for what makes an effective hike leader is likely different than other hike leaders because I lead the beginner hikes for Dayton Hikers. It's important that I can convey my enthusiasm for hiking and make new hikers feel welcome and comfortable with my leadership. Participants will show up for a hike with a wide variety of abilities and knowledge. This requires me to be patient and to be flexible in the event that a hike must be modified to accommodate the needs of new hikers. I need to pay close attention to what the hikers are saying as well as what they are not saying. Many new hikers are hesitant to say that they are struggling to keep up, so it is my responsibility to notice when it is necessary to slow the pace or to take breaks. My goal is to make them want to continue hiking and allow them to feel more knowledgeable and prepared." — Normajean Roselius, Dayton Hikers.

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