95% of informal hiking groups are unlicensed — adventurers often bear the consequences if things go wrong

　　On November 9, a novice hiker who had temporarily joined a trekking activity in Shanghai tragically fell to his death while climbing the "Wild Great Wall" in Beijing. This once again drew public attention to the safety issues of hiking, and similar incidents also frequently occur in Shandong. How to ensure that hiking enthusiasts can enjoy thrilling adventures while staying safe remains an ongoing challenge.

　　On November 9, more than 100 hikers were on an unofficial trek through the mountains near the Simatai section of the Great Wall in Beijing when an accident occurred. One middle-aged female hiker unfortunately fell off a cliff and died. It was reported that the victim, a 45-year-old from Shanghai, had signed up for the outdoor activity at the last minute while on a business trip in Beijing.

　　This form of travel is also known as trekking. “Sui Ge,” a native of Jinan, started trekking in 2007 and is a well-known organizer within the local trekking community. He is currently the secretary-general of the Shandong Provincial Hiking Association. He noted that in recent years, injuries and fatalities among hikers in the province due to trekking have occurred from time to time and should be taken seriously by participants. In Jinan, in 2011, an outdoor group got into trouble in the mountains north of Zhonggong, and by the time rescuers arrived, one hiker had already frozen to death; in the summer of 2012, an outdoor enthusiast died in a canyoning accident on Fohui Mountain in Jinan. Areas such as Mount Tai and Mount Lao have also seen frequent reports of hikers getting into danger or even losing their lives in recent years.

　　“Sui Ge” said that trekking began to gain popularity in the province around 1996, and has been especially booming in the last five or six years. However, looking at hiking organizations nationwide, 95% do not have legal status and lack the proper qualifications to organize outdoor activities. In such loosely organized settings, it is relatively easy for dangerous situations to arise.

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　　Hikers often bear the consequences when accidents happen

　　On the 10th, the day after the Shanghai hiker’s fatal fall, several well-known “hiking leaders” in Jinan — including “Sui Ge,” “Tai Ge,” “Wang Nanshan,” and “Xue Zhong Bu Zou” from Laiwu — organized 81 hikers from Jinan and Laiwu to hike in the wild mountainous area of Longdong–Canglongjian in Jinan. That day, the well-organized event ended successfully. During the hike, the participants also picked up litter along the way.

　　Regarding the incident on the 9th, they also held discussions, with many believing that the organizers should bear primary responsibility. In response, “Sui Ge,” who has long been concerned about outdoor safety, said that in fact, in several domestic hiking-related injury or fatality cases in recent years, regardless of whether the organizers had proper credentials, court rulings have mostly placed greater responsibility on the individuals involved in the accidents, with leaders bearing little or no liability. Such outdoor activities generally do not involve signed agreements, and participants join as consenting adults responsible for their own safety. A few years ago, in Guangxi, a hiker died when flooding occurred while their tent was pitched in a riverbed. The lawsuit drew national attention from the hiking community. Ultimately, after consulting legal experts across the country, the court ruled in favor of the leader. This case has since become a “landmark event.”

　　According to “Lv Ye Xian Zong,” vice president of the Shandong Provincial Hiking Association, participants in hiking activities should pay attention to the following:

　　Gear: First and foremost, you need a pair of professional hiking or mountaineering shoes. Choose breathable clothing, bring trekking poles — preferably a pair — to help distribute your weight. For mountain hikes, carry a lightweight water bottle, and prepare a sun hat and towel. If hiking in snowy conditions, snow blindness protection glasses are also recommended.

　　Notes: Hikers typically use a 20-liter backpack. For overnight camping in the wild, a larger 60–90 liter backpack is needed to carry a tent, sleeping bag, change of clothes, first aid kit, headlamp, multi-tool, and basic cooking gear.

　　Safety: The most important aspect of hiking safety is effective and rational organization. Avoid unfamiliar routes. For large group hikes, send 2–3 people ahead to scout the path before proceeding. When hiking as a team, the “hiking leader” should go at the front to find the route, the main guide should manage the middle of the group, and there should be a “tail ender” bringing up the rear. The group’s pace should match the fitness level of the weakest member to ensure no one is left behind.

　　Before each hike, organizers should select participants based on the difficulty. For moderately challenging locations, average physical fitness is sufficient. For more perilous destinations, ensure all members have at least five years of hiking experience and no health issues. In terms of essential gear, include a compass, headlamp for nighttime use, and rain gear for summer.

　　For outdoor trips lasting two days or more, it is advisable to purchase insurance, either individually or as a group. Novice hikers should choose qualified or experienced hiking organizations, and start with relatively simple activities.