Contents
- Why route cards matter for safety
- How route cards help rescue teams find you
- Leaving a copy with a safety contact
- Timing basics and Naismith's Rule
- Planning for daylight
- Headlamps and essential backups
- Duke of Edinburgh expeditions
- Scouting Ireland guidance
- Gaisce Adventure Journeys
- Route card safety checklist
Why route cards matter for safety
Route cards turn vague intent into a clear plan. Writing down your route, timings, and escape options forces you to think ahead and reduces risk. The real value appears when conditions change, someone is injured, or you go off route.
- Supports good decisions under pressure.
- Creates a clear record for your group.
- Helps others find you if you cannot self-rescue.
Three jobs a route card does
Before: research, timings, escape options.
During: bearings, legs, checkpoint timing.
After: a rescue starting point if overdue.
How route cards help rescue teams find you
Search teams need a starting point. A route card provides your intended route, expected return time, vehicle details, and group information so they can focus quickly on the most likely areas.
Key details they need
- Start, finish, and waypoint order.
- Expected return time and alert time.
- Group details and medical notes.
- Vehicle and parking details.
- Clothing, pack, and shelter colors.
Real-world impact
Small details save hours. A clear route card can narrow a search area and reduce time to reach you.
Leave a copy
A route card only works if someone has it. Pick a responsible person and make sure they know when to act.
Leaving a copy with a safety contact
Your safety contact should know your expected return time, when to call for help, and who to contact. Always check in when you finish.
- Set an alert time and agree on a grace period.
- Share the non-emergency number (101 UK) and emergency 999 or 112.
- Tell them to use the route card details as the source of truth.
Timing basics and Naismith's Rule
Naismith's Rule provides a baseline: 1 hour for every 5 km of distance, plus 1 hour for every 600 m of ascent. Add margin for terrain, weather, group pace, and stops.
Worked example
10 km with 600 m ascent = 2 hours distance + 1 hour ascent = 3 hours.
Adjust for reality
Rough ground, navigation, or heavy packs slow you down. Add buffer time.
Planning for daylight
Daylight limits your route length. Check sunrise and sunset for your location and date, then set a turnaround time so you are off the hill before dark.
- Short winter days require early starts.
- Cloud and terrain reduce usable light.
- Stick to the turnaround time even if close to the summit.
Headlamps and essential backups
Carry a headlamp on every hike. It keeps your hands free and covers unexpected delays. Pack spare batteries or a backup light on longer trips.
Duke of Edinburgh expeditions
Route cards are required for DofE expeditions. Include grid references, timings, bearings, escape routes, and group details. Treat it as both a plan and a safety document.
Scouting Ireland guidance
Scouting Ireland uses route cards in Adventure Skills. They emphasize timing calculations, escape routes, and leaving a copy with a responsible person.
Gaisce Adventure Journeys
Gaisce requires route planning and group preparation. A strong route card helps document timing, risk, and route suitability for the group.
Route card safety checklist
Before you leave
- Route planned with waypoints and bearings.
- Timings calculated with buffer.
- Escape routes listed.
- Weather and daylight checked.
- Safety contact briefed.
Route card must include
- Route name, date, start time.
- Start and finish locations.
- All waypoints with distances and bearings.
- Total distance, ascent, and finish time.
- Group, vehicle, and equipment details.
Sources and further reading
- Leave No Trace: the 7 Principles for minimizing impact.
- Naismith's rule for baseline timing guidance.
- ICAR (International Commission for Alpine Rescue) for global rescue context.
- Scottish Mountain Rescue safety advice for trip planning and incident prevention.
- Mountaineering Scotland route cards for navigation essentials.
- Scouting Ireland “On the Move” for route planning checklists (PDF).
Ready to build a safer plan?
Create a route card in minutes and share it with your safety contact.