Safety first while exploring Oman’s mountains, say guides

Energy Wednesday 13/December/2017 20:32 PM
By: Times News Service
Safety first while exploring Oman’s mountains, say guides

Muscat: Mountain guides and hiking agencies in Oman have asked people to ensure they follow proper safety procedures and pack proper equipment with them when they go exploring the many mountains and canyons in the Sultanate.
The warnings were issued after reports on social media showed a group of explorers had failed to follow the requisite safety procedures during their visit to the famed Snake Canyon, resulting in one of them falling off the face of the canyon and onto the floor. Although no one was seriously harmed because they were wearing safety helmets and harnesses, things could have gotten a lot worse.
Ibrahim Al Kindi has been a trekking guide for more than 13 years and has organised many mountain tours in Oman.
“We tour guides know the way, but some people choose to go alone, and they then suffer accidents,” he told Times of Oman. “When you are climbing canyons, it is easy to underestimate the distance, because there are some parts you can easily cross or jump over, but that may not always be possible, even though you think it is. If people are not used to canyoning, it is difficult to do so.
“The nature and paths that can be taken in the canyon always change, because of the weather, especially when it rains, or when wadis get filled with water,” added Al Kindi.
“It is the same when you go hiking, but when I go exploring in a different country, I take a guide with me, because although I am experienced in trekking, I do not know that country so well.”
Bike and Hike Oman is a company that organises mountaineering and mountain biking activities. It has asked people to take precautions while exploring.
“The Snake Canyon is quite tricky, because it requires a lot of equipment, so it must only be done with trained professionals,” said Nikhil Parnami, manager for Bike and Hike Oman.
“If you are going to trek, even if you are an experienced trekker, you must use only the paths marked by the Ministry of Tourism. You must make sure you are carrying a map and the basic survival gear, and if you have allergies, please carry a medical kit."
“The Ministry of Tourism had conducted a seminar where they discussed how safety protocols had to be handled by companies. It is very important to take care of safety measures,” he added.
“We do a lot of mountaineering and mountain biking tours, so we make sure everyone wears their helmets and before tours, I personally check all the bikes to see if the brakes and other parts are functioning.
“Some of the tourists who come to the Sultanate Oman may not be used to the sun, even if it is only 16 or 17 degrees at the time, because the sun can drain your energy very fast, which makes electrolytes also very important.”
Michelle Callaje, senior sales travel consultant for Travel Point, has also asked adventurers to properly research the area they are travelling to.
“If you are travelling independently, you know the risks of going to such places, so you should be cautious about your own safety. You must have the knowledge of these areas and know which places are dangerous,” she explained.
“There are always guides present in these areas, so take their help. I understand they might be locals, so that could cause some language issues, but you must seek them out all the same.
“Organisers of events who are handling tour groups do have protocols for orientation and advice, before they go to such areas,” she added.
“Safety of the clients means there always needs to be a medical team present on site, and if it is lacking, then the travel agencies themselves often have one with them.”