Check the weather forecast. Let family, friends and entry staff know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Before you head off, brief your group and make sure they are all properly prepared. The less experienced group members are usually the ones at greatest risk, so pay particular attention to them.

• Check the weather forecast before committing to your hike. Forecasts of severe thunderstorms, heavy rain or snow should be taken into consideration. If necessary, change your entry point and route to avoid swollen rivers and deep snow. Cancel or postpone your hike if there is any doubt about it being successful.
• Always enter the Natal Drakensberg through an official wilderness entry point, and make sure that everyone in your group fills in the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Mountain Rescue Register as accurately as possible. Remember to record your vehicle details on the form. If you are not vying with other visitors for their attention, take the time to chat to the staff manning the entry point so that they are aware of where you are going and when you plan to be back. For some of the more popular entry points which can be inundated with other hiking and backpacking groups, your group may get lost in the crowd, so always ensure that family or friends also know where you are going and when you should be back home. This is your safety net, so don’t neglect it!
• Remember to take the Mountain Rescue Register’s tear-off slip with contact phone numbers with you on your hike. Confirm with the entry staff that these numbers are correct and will be available. Record any additional numbers on the slip if necessary. Transfer these numbers to at least one cell phone that you will be taking with you.
• The leader should satisfy himself/herself that every member of the group has all the required kit, especially a water bottle or bladder, warm clothing and a proper rain jacket. Caps, hats and sunscreen are a must in summer. It is usually best to ask kids to show you these items because they can be very neglectful if they are unsupervised.
• Especially with large groups, the leader should take the time to brief everyone about the planned route for the day and what particular dangers it may entail (e.g. snakes, slippery clay/snow, flooded rivers, cold weather, mist). Remind them that they are part of a team so they must watch out for each other and not go ahead of the leader unless you specifically allow this. Also remind them that they must wait within view of the person behind them so that person has someone to follow. If someone starts to lag far behind, they must pass this information up the chain to the leader. If there is another experienced adult hiker in the group, ask them to take up the rear and act as a sweeper.
• With a large group of hikers – especially youngsters – it is important to have a “buddy” system where each is teamed up with another. It is their responsibility to know where their buddy is at all times. Youngsters may be too shy to tell an adult they are going for a toilet break, but they must tell their buddy.
• Check the footwear of less experienced hikers and make sure that their laces are done up properly and are double-knotted. Also check that their backpacks are properly rigged, because the discomfort of an improperly-fitted one can cause them to lag, and their sense of balance may be adversely affected.
• Check that any equipment that is carried externally (e.g. tents and groundsheets) is properly secured to the backpack so that it will not fall off.
• If tents are needed, confirm that everyone has accommodation and that all the components of each tent, including pegs, are being carried.
• With the exception of trekking poles, no one should be carrying anything in their hands. Doing so adversely affects balance, agility and the placing of one’s feet.