Monday 05 / May / 2025
Muscat: Locals and expats in Oman, as well as tourists who visit the Sultanate, must exercise caution while hiking mountains to avoid getting themselves in danger.
The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) has emphasised and issued guidelines that must be taken into consideration before planning a day out in the mountains.
PACDA officials have asked hikers to make sure they are abreast with what needs to be cross-checked prior to their trip, even though they have made the trip countless times.
“There are a number of things that are needed to be taken into consideration by individuals who have decided to go hiking,” explained PACDA officials.
To begin with, one must “choose the right trail for your fitness level. It is highly advisable to make sure you are physically fit for the trail.”
Secondly, officials have said that if you are leaving for a hike, then you must “familiarise yourself with the trail. Inform others of your route and location.”
Experts have also advised hikers to “wear the right shoes and socks, and check the weather.”
The experts at PACDA also advised carrying first-aid supplies, extra clothing in case of emergency as “important requirements”.
“For those going on a hike in the mountains, you must carry first-aid supplies, matches, lighters, or candles, emergency shelters (such as a tent), sun protection, illumination (such as a headlamp or flashlight), a navigation system (like a map and compass), extra clothing, food and water,” officials at PACDA said.
The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance issued these guidelines for people across the Sultanate, in the wake of a tragic accident involving the death of a South African national who went on a solo hike in Wadi Al Khoud last month. His brother, Keith Nelson, advised people to take the necessary precautions before venturing out on a hike if they didn’t want to share the same fate
“If you need ‘me’ time in the mountains then you must plan your route carefully, so you don’t walk in the hottest hours,” he said. “Make sure someone at home knows where you are going to walk, your route and your planned times. Also, make sure to call or text when you start and end your solo trip, and lastly, do not go too far from inhabited areas.”
In addition to that, five Omani citizens who were lost while hiking this month were also rescued by the Royal Air Force of Oman, out of whom one was transported to a hospital for treatment.
