MOJACAR WALKING GROUP
Walk Notes
Remember that the walking group does not have liability insurance and if emergency rescue services are called you could be personally liable for any costs involved.
Remember that the walking group does not have liability insurance and if emergency rescue services are called you could be personally liable for any costs involved.
Walks Please read these notes before participating in any of the scheduled walks. Read the waiver then complete the application by email to the walks coordinator at mojacarwalkers@gmail.com . In return you will receive via email the current password enabling you to download the walk schedule for the current season. The schedule is not meant to be printed because it is interactive with the website. It contains two active links which when clicked will provide a link to the walk information on the website and start/meeting points via google maps. Therefore, it should not be necessary to phone me for details.
The link (schedule) is accessible from the HOME page on this website and will be available around the 12th September each year for registered walkers. Certain walks, due to the degree of difficulty, safety reasons or specific leader request will be by arrangement only and limited numbers may apply.
Requirements It is a requirement that all walkers register and read the waiver of responsibility The walks are over rough surfaces and some steep inclines, so suitable footwear is essential. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of fluid (at least one litre of water). Bring your own First Aid kit, include info on allergies, medicines and a person whom to contact. Note, that if the emergency services are needed due to injury they may charge you. Carry your health card/EHIC and photographic evidence (ie passport). Carry your own mobile phone for emergencies. Headgear (sun hat) and walking poles are recommended. Duration of walks are 3-6 hours and will commence at 10:30 prompt. Please check with the schedule for any early starts.
Leaders Remember, walk organisers and leaders are volunteers and are unpaid. They are people who enjoy walking and invite you to join them. They request that you do not leave the group without notifying the leader or back marker. Please keep between the leader and the back marker or you could be left behind! Actual walks may differ from those shown in the schedule, but will start from the same location and be the same degree of difficulty. A walk may be cancelled if the weather conditions are deemed too adverse. For example, heavy rain or thunderstorm, excessive heat (30 degrees at the start of walk. Under normal circumstances a walk leader will always turn up at the meeting point even if it is to cancel the walk).The leader/organiser reserves the right to refuse a walk participant if he/she deems that the person is unsuitably equipped or unfit to participate in a walk based on previous walks or general demeanour to the walk leaders/organisers. Their decision is final.
Dog Owners Well behaved obedient dogs are welcome ( Always check with a leader in advance if dogs are allowed on a walk). But remember that some sections of the walks are narrow or have old mine shafts nearby. In these cases and on narrow paths, owners should keep their pets on a lead, especially when requested by the walk leader. When approaching sheep or goats a dog must always be on a lead. Beware of processional caterpillars and check dogs for ticks. Please refrain from using whistles because they are use by some leaders to contact their back markers and vice versa.
Historical note The walks were started by Sid and Ann Carter in 1986, leading a small group of friends. We now average 24-50 (88 is the record) people on each walk, comprising of walkers from many different nationalities.
Charity Donations Please note, that we are not a club. There is no joining or entrance fee. We are a group of friends that enjoy walking in the surrounding areas of Almeria. However, if anyone wishes to express appreciation in any way, donations to our local charities may be given to the walk leader or organisers Barrie or Julie Naylor. (It is usual to donate at least 1 euro per person). Thanks to your generosity we collect between €1600 and €2600 euros each season. Usually, we nominate a local charity such as ASPRODALBA or MACS to receive all or part of the monies.
Grading Walks
Grading Walks Based on the fact that the majority of walkers are in the age group of 60 to 80 the grading has been calculated on a scale of 1 to 100 points using the system detailed below. What has not been taken into account are weather condition on the day and an individuals age and fitness ability. These two factors could add to the points and bump the guideline grade into a grade above. I would suggest the following additions. Add a point for every year of your age over 70. Add a point for every 2 kilos extra weight that you are carrying over your “ideal weight”. Add points if you have been ill and are recovering. Add points if it is your first walk after a layoff.. Add points for above normal weather conditions. Obviously, if you are a very fit or an experienced hill or fell walker then feel free to deduct points accordingly.
Grading Points *
1 Point for every kilometre.
1 Point for every 10 metres of ascent.
1 Point for each hour of walking. 1 - 5 Points for Terrain conditions.
Terrain Points
1 Mostly metalled paths, very few off road tracks.
2 Mostly metalled paths with a few off road tracks or ramblas.
3 Half metalled paths, half mountain tracks or rambla, loose shale, sand or rocky underfoot.
4 Mostly mountain tracks, loose shale, sandy or rocky underfoot.
5 All mountain paths or rambla, loose shale, sandy or rocky underfoot.
Points & Grades
00 - 10 VE Very Easy, beach stroll, flip flops okay.
11 - 20 E Easy, trainers okay.
21 - 35 EM Easy to Medium, walking shoes or boots recommended.
36 - 60 M Medium, walking shoes or boots recommended.
61 - 70 MD Medium to difficult, walking shoes or boots recommended.
71 - 85 D Difficult, boots recommended.
86 - 100 VD Very Difficult, boots recommended.
100 - + ED Extremeley difficult, boots recommended.
It is important that each individual is honest with him or herself about their abilities. Personal factors that could affect grading are age, weight, illness, lack of fitness or experience. Weather conditions and type of terrain (e.g. Sand, loose stones etc) are other factors that should be noted. The grading can only be a guideline because no walk is "easy", some are more strenuous than others. Remember, this is not England, the terrain here is not comparable with what you may be used to in Northern Europe. Feel free to discuss these points with a walk leader. Do not jeopardize the enjoyment of others by incurring injuries to ankles, feet and toes that could be avoided by wearing strong adequate footwear (walking boots or shoes with ankle support). The walks often follow old tracks in the mountains and involve steep ascents, descents and clambering, consequently, for these reasons of safety, be aware of those in front and behind you.The walk schedule contains all of the above information and have been calculated and mapped by GPS to enable you to decide whether the walk is suitable for your ability and capability level. Please take careful note of these gradings, terrain and ascents/descents when choosing a walk.
* Note: This points system is unique to walks of the Mojacar Walking Group and is based on the abilities of an age group of 60 - 80
The link (schedule) is accessible from the HOME page on this website and will be available around the 12th September each year for registered walkers. Certain walks, due to the degree of difficulty, safety reasons or specific leader request will be by arrangement only and limited numbers may apply.
Requirements It is a requirement that all walkers register and read the waiver of responsibility The walks are over rough surfaces and some steep inclines, so suitable footwear is essential. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of fluid (at least one litre of water). Bring your own First Aid kit, include info on allergies, medicines and a person whom to contact. Note, that if the emergency services are needed due to injury they may charge you. Carry your health card/EHIC and photographic evidence (ie passport). Carry your own mobile phone for emergencies. Headgear (sun hat) and walking poles are recommended. Duration of walks are 3-6 hours and will commence at 10:30 prompt. Please check with the schedule for any early starts.
Leaders Remember, walk organisers and leaders are volunteers and are unpaid. They are people who enjoy walking and invite you to join them. They request that you do not leave the group without notifying the leader or back marker. Please keep between the leader and the back marker or you could be left behind! Actual walks may differ from those shown in the schedule, but will start from the same location and be the same degree of difficulty. A walk may be cancelled if the weather conditions are deemed too adverse. For example, heavy rain or thunderstorm, excessive heat (30 degrees at the start of walk. Under normal circumstances a walk leader will always turn up at the meeting point even if it is to cancel the walk).The leader/organiser reserves the right to refuse a walk participant if he/she deems that the person is unsuitably equipped or unfit to participate in a walk based on previous walks or general demeanour to the walk leaders/organisers. Their decision is final.
Dog Owners Well behaved obedient dogs are welcome ( Always check with a leader in advance if dogs are allowed on a walk). But remember that some sections of the walks are narrow or have old mine shafts nearby. In these cases and on narrow paths, owners should keep their pets on a lead, especially when requested by the walk leader. When approaching sheep or goats a dog must always be on a lead. Beware of processional caterpillars and check dogs for ticks. Please refrain from using whistles because they are use by some leaders to contact their back markers and vice versa.
Historical note The walks were started by Sid and Ann Carter in 1986, leading a small group of friends. We now average 24-50 (88 is the record) people on each walk, comprising of walkers from many different nationalities.
Charity Donations Please note, that we are not a club. There is no joining or entrance fee. We are a group of friends that enjoy walking in the surrounding areas of Almeria. However, if anyone wishes to express appreciation in any way, donations to our local charities may be given to the walk leader or organisers Barrie or Julie Naylor. (It is usual to donate at least 1 euro per person). Thanks to your generosity we collect between €1600 and €2600 euros each season. Usually, we nominate a local charity such as ASPRODALBA or MACS to receive all or part of the monies.
Grading Walks
Grading Walks Based on the fact that the majority of walkers are in the age group of 60 to 80 the grading has been calculated on a scale of 1 to 100 points using the system detailed below. What has not been taken into account are weather condition on the day and an individuals age and fitness ability. These two factors could add to the points and bump the guideline grade into a grade above. I would suggest the following additions. Add a point for every year of your age over 70. Add a point for every 2 kilos extra weight that you are carrying over your “ideal weight”. Add points if you have been ill and are recovering. Add points if it is your first walk after a layoff.. Add points for above normal weather conditions. Obviously, if you are a very fit or an experienced hill or fell walker then feel free to deduct points accordingly.
Grading Points *
1 Point for every kilometre.
1 Point for every 10 metres of ascent.
1 Point for each hour of walking. 1 - 5 Points for Terrain conditions.
Terrain Points
1 Mostly metalled paths, very few off road tracks.
2 Mostly metalled paths with a few off road tracks or ramblas.
3 Half metalled paths, half mountain tracks or rambla, loose shale, sand or rocky underfoot.
4 Mostly mountain tracks, loose shale, sandy or rocky underfoot.
5 All mountain paths or rambla, loose shale, sandy or rocky underfoot.
Points & Grades
00 - 10 VE Very Easy, beach stroll, flip flops okay.
11 - 20 E Easy, trainers okay.
21 - 35 EM Easy to Medium, walking shoes or boots recommended.
36 - 60 M Medium, walking shoes or boots recommended.
61 - 70 MD Medium to difficult, walking shoes or boots recommended.
71 - 85 D Difficult, boots recommended.
86 - 100 VD Very Difficult, boots recommended.
100 - + ED Extremeley difficult, boots recommended.
It is important that each individual is honest with him or herself about their abilities. Personal factors that could affect grading are age, weight, illness, lack of fitness or experience. Weather conditions and type of terrain (e.g. Sand, loose stones etc) are other factors that should be noted. The grading can only be a guideline because no walk is "easy", some are more strenuous than others. Remember, this is not England, the terrain here is not comparable with what you may be used to in Northern Europe. Feel free to discuss these points with a walk leader. Do not jeopardize the enjoyment of others by incurring injuries to ankles, feet and toes that could be avoided by wearing strong adequate footwear (walking boots or shoes with ankle support). The walks often follow old tracks in the mountains and involve steep ascents, descents and clambering, consequently, for these reasons of safety, be aware of those in front and behind you.The walk schedule contains all of the above information and have been calculated and mapped by GPS to enable you to decide whether the walk is suitable for your ability and capability level. Please take careful note of these gradings, terrain and ascents/descents when choosing a walk.
* Note: This points system is unique to walks of the Mojacar Walking Group and is based on the abilities of an age group of 60 - 80