Part 2: Hiking Safety Briefing
You will hear a ranger giving a talk to a group of walkers at a visitor centre.
Lời thoại bài nghe (transcript)
Ranger: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Greyhollow Hills Visitor Centre. My name's Fiona, and I'm one of the rangers here. Before you set off, I'd like to spend a few minutes on safety, and then tell you about the main trails, because several things have changed since the start of the season.
Ranger: Let's begin with the weather. A lot of visitors check the forecast for the town before they leave home, but conditions on the high ground can be completely different. It's often five or six degrees colder on the ridges, and the wind can be far stronger. So the single most important thing I'd ask you to do is read the mountain forecast, which we pin up on the board by the entrance at eight o'clock every morning. Of course, it's also sensible to let someone know your route, and I know many of you already do that, but nothing matters more than knowing what the weather is going to do.
Ranger: Next, equipment. People often ask me what they really need to carry. A waterproof jacket, obviously, plus some food and plenty of water. But the item that's forgotten more than any other is a torch. Every autumn we have to help walkers who set off late, underestimated how long their route would take and ended up coming down in the dark. Yes, your phone has a light, but using it drains the battery, and you may need that battery to call for help.
Ranger: Speaking of which, there's something new this year. Mobile coverage in the hills is patchy, and quite often there's enough signal to send a text message even when you can't make a call. So we've set up an emergency text service: if you get into difficulty, you can text the rescue team directly and they'll reply with instructions. The number is printed on the back of your map. We had also hoped to run a shuttle bus between the car parks this summer, but unfortunately that's been postponed until next year. And the guided walks we used to offer on Sundays have stopped, I'm afraid, because we simply don't have enough staff.
Ranger: One more thing before the trails: cattle. Several fields on the lower slopes have cows in them, especially in spring, when they have young calves. If the cows start walking towards you, don't run, and don't try to scare them off by shouting or waving your arms. Just stay calm, keep walking steadily, and go around the edge of the field rather than through the middle.
Ranger: Right, the trails. The Mill Stream Path is the flattest walk we have. It follows the river for about three kilometres and has a firm, smooth surface all the way, so it's ideal if you've got a pushchair or a wheelchair user in your group.
Ranger: Falcon Ridge is quite a contrast: it's steep and rocky. Some of you may have read that it's closed at weekends during the nesting season, but that rule was dropped last year. What is new is a viewing platform near the top, which was finished just last month, and on a clear day you can see right across to the coast.
Ranger: The Summit Loop is our most popular trail, but please be aware that once you pass the old stone shelter about halfway up, there's no mobile signal at all, not even enough for a text. So make sure someone knows your plans before you go.
Ranger: The Larch Wood Trail runs through a forest where sheep graze freely all year round, so if you've brought a dog, it must be kept on a lead for the whole route.
Ranger: The Quarry Walk is short and very pretty, but the path along the bottom of the old quarry is smooth stone, and it becomes extremely slippery when it's wet. If it has rained in the previous day or so, I'd strongly recommend choosing another route.
Ranger: And finally, the Eastern Moor Route. Most of it crosses private farmland, and the owners have asked us to keep a record of how many people are walking there. So you'll need a permit, which you can pick up from this desk. It's free, and it only takes a minute to fill in. OK, are there any questions before you head off?
