Lion's Head is notabily becoming more and more popular by the week, both for runners as well as hikers, I have read recently that over 200 000 people climb Lion's Head every year.  I’ve even heard postulate that the figure is closer to around 3 million.

Most people go hiking to get back to nature, most people when they go hiking want to leave our mountains unmarred, the way they found it. However, in the words of Barbara Ward, we have forgotten how to be good guests, to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do.

Sadly not all people think alike and that too is very evident when walking "the Lion", cigarette butts, water bottle caps, water bottles, fruit skins/peels and cores are left unashamedly.   In recent times we have picked up a cricket helmet metal grid, a sixpack of beer (still with three full bottles), blankets and caps, tissues.............let's not forget tissues.

As a human, you have the power of choice and your intelligent brain to guide you. Here are a few tips to avoid littering on a hike.

1. Choose Recyclables and bring out what you take in, also remember to take it home and add it to your home recyclables.

2.  Go Reusable The best way to avoid littering on a hike is to pass on making trash so consider using a reusable water bottle.

3.  Wear Clothes With Pockets, choose your attire wisely, and you’ll have plenty of space to stash empty energy bar wrappers.

4. Carry a Backpack, a backpack can be your best friend who helps you avoid littering on a hike. You have a ready-made space to stow everything you take with you so you can do an even kinder deed for the planet by leaving some space when you pack. That way, you can clean up any litter you encounter as you go.    CITO

5. Take Something Out.  Maybe you didn’t make the mess — but if you don’t clean it up, who will? Make it your mission to pick up at least one piece of litter every time you head out to the trail. Consider it your ticket price of admission to nature’s playground.

THIS CITO:

We will meet at the top, this is to allow everybody to get there at there own pace.  At the summit we will pick up what we can see and get safely get to, before heading down.   The main CITO will then be with us moving back to the start of the trail, this way we wont have to carry litter etc up with us.  Due to the nature of litter etc I would suggest gloves , or in my case a tongs (there are certain items I do not want to touch by hand).

Please also remember bags, I use recyclable shopping bags as they are small enough to carry in your hand whilst hiking.

I will start walking between 16h30 and 16h40 depending on traffic getting to town.   If anybody wants to walk with me/us, please indicate so in your "WILL ATTEND" just so I  know to wait and be on the lookout for you.   

Please note that the sun will set at 17h58 so please bring a torch, a cell phone torch is not ideal so if you have a headlamp that will be the best.

Lastly, If you log a will attend I will be on the lookout for you at the top, so please if you commit and for some reason can not make it anymore, just let me know and I will know not to expect you.

Thank you and remember when on the trail (any trail)     TAKE ONLY PHOTOGRAPHS AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS