Three Asian climbers lost their way atop a high mountain in the Ghalila Valley. The trio was later rescued by the RAK Air Wing at a height of 4,500 feet above sea level.

As temperatures begin to cool and UAE residents begin to spend more time outdoors, experienced trekkers and local authorities are warning that appropriate safety precautions are vital when trekking or hiking in the mountains of the UAE and neighbouring Oman.
Although dangerous incidents are rare in the mountains of the UAE, they are by no means unheard of.
Among the potential risks are injuries, dehydration, heat exhaustion, or getting lost.
The issue of mountain safety was starkly highlighted in July, when three European climbers got lost while trekking through the Shaams Mountains, forcing the Air Wing of Ras Al Khaimah Police to rescue them. The three were later taken to a hospital to be treated for heat exhaustion.
In another incident, three Asian climbers lost their way atop a high mountain in the Ghalila Valley. The trio was later rescued by the RAK Air Wing at a height of 4,500 feet above sea level.
Such incidents, however, can also be deadly. In December of last year, a 22-year old British citizen died on Jebel Jais, the UAE's tallest mountain, and earlier in 2015 a UAE resident died from heat and dehydration after getting lost while hiking on Wadi Al Sameenah Mountain, just across the UAE's border with Oman.

'Be Smart'

In an interview with Khaleej Times, Amy Subaey, director of the popular UAE Trekkers group, noted that many hikers underestimate how much water they need to carry with them, especially if they come from abroad.
"In the US, Canada, or Europe, you have water sources," she said. "If you go out in the Rockies, for example, you can take two litres of water and purification tablets. If you finish your water, there will be a stream or a river and you can use the tablets.
"That's not the case here," she added. "Even if you find water sources here, like in a Wadi, if you drink the water it would have a lot of debris. A life straw would work, but you can't count on having a water source."
Subaey noted that many people choose not to carry adequate water, because of the additional weight.
"If they can't carry five litres of water, they aren't in good enough shape," she said. "That means you're not fit enough to hike."
Additionally, Subaey said that many people don't realize how hard a slog the mountains of the UAE can be, particularly in RAK.
"It's very steep and very rocky," she noted. "People don't realize how hard it is until they go up for three hours."
Given the difficulties, Subaey said that proper boots are vital. Too many people, she said, head to the mountains in everyday sneakers.
"You aren't on a flat surface. You're in the mountains and your ankles need support. Running shoes are made for forward movement, not to support feet or ankles twisting side to side."
Another safety measure is taking a satellite phone if going to a remote area in which mobile reception can be spotty, and possibly taking a GPS system to avoid getting lost on unmarked trails.
The most important thing, according to Subaey, is having a plan in case something goes wrong - and to never to go alone.
"People need to think through their emergency plan," she said. "Many people think they can just run out willy-nilly, but you must have a plan in case it doesn't all go perfectly."
bernd@khaleejtimes.com

RAK police rescue four tourists lost in Ghalila Valley.- Supplied photo

Air wing rescue operation in Ras Al Khaimah.-Supplied photo

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