Safety Standards

Our trek leaders

• Certified at NIM (Uttarkashi) or ABVIMAS (Manali)
• Current Wilderness First Responder certification, renewed every 2 years

Group sizes

• Easy: max 16 trekkers per leader, with a support guide
• Moderate: max 12 trekkers per leader
• Difficult / technical: max 8 trekkers per leader, with two support guides

Medical equipment carried

• Comprehensive first-aid kit
• Pulse oximeter (SpO2 checked morning and evening above 12,000 ft)
• Sphygmomanometer for blood pressure
• Supplemental oxygen cylinder (above 14,000 ft)
• Diamox and altitude-sickness medications
• Stretcher and rescue equipment
• Garmin inReach satellite communicator above 12,000 ft

Acclimatization

• Walk-high, sleep-low principle on all high-altitude treks
• Never gain more than 1,000 m of sleeping altitude in 24 hours above 10,000 ft
• Rest days built into all treks above 14,000 ft
• Daily SpO2 and symptom monitoring

Turn-around protocol

• Trek leaders have absolute authority to turn back or evacuate
• Triggered by altitude symptoms, low SpO2, weather, route conditions, or any safety concern
• No summit is worth crossing a safety line

Weather monitoring

• Twice-daily satellite forecasts for all major pass crossings
• Pass attempts may be delayed 24–48 hours for a safe weather window

What we ask from you

• Disclose all medical conditions truthfully on the booking form
• Submit a recent fitness certificate for treks above 14,000 ft
• Train physically — see the 6-week plan in your kit list
• Listen to your trek leader at all times
• Drink at least 4 litres of water daily above 10,000 ft
• Communicate symptoms early

Insurance

• We strongly recommend travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and evacuation
• Email teamheyhikers@gmail.com for insurer recommendations
• Insurance is not included in the trek package

Incident reporting

• Every incident is logged and reviewed quarterly
• Anonymised aggregate reports available on request — email teamheyhikers@gmail.com