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Rules and recommendations for hiking trips in the Anaga Moutains

(by this are matter of courses as e.g. no littering, respecting the private sphere of the people, taking care for animals and plants are assumed as well known and respected)

It is not to recommend to go alone

In case of emergency it may turn out as very helpful to have left a message which contents at what time and with which destination the trip was started and for what time the return was planned.

In case of rainy weather or imminent rain a trip should not be started. The danger to get wet or slip on slippery stones is in that case the smallest. More dangerous are rockfalls which are prone to start with rain, especially with long or heavy rain. Dry barrancos and creek valleys can change within a very short time into a high tide of water from the moutains which may take everything downhill. In case the group is caught in a heavy rain it should steer clear from steep slopes and try to reach shelter in on one of the many caves on this island.

It is absolutely to prevent to be in the mountains at the time of dusk or even night, especially in difficult or unknown areas. And it is to consider that the phase of dusk is on Tenerife much more shorter than in Northern Europe. For this reason it is recommendable to leave for the trip in the early morning to have some spare time in the evening, as well as to find out the time of sun setting and to have a watch on the trip.

In the summertime the ascents on treeless slopes can be very exhausting because of the heat. While planning a trip is to consider that the North Coast of the Anaga Mountains is in shadow in the morning.

The leaving of main trails or known paths should be shunned. Assumed shortcuts are proving themselves sometimes after a short time as fatal. Because often they lead into impervious areas where a fall is threatening. Often it is almost not possible after getting lost to find the same way back. One may go astray into an impasse where it is very difficult to escape because the area can be very preciptious. In such a case it is important to calm down and to grope carefully for the way back until a point is found which seems to be known. One has to face the fact that in many parts of the Anaga Mountains are merely to found just few people and few signposts.

It can't be warned insistantly enough to swim at the beaches on the northern coast, even it is again and again seducing. Most beaches are stone beaches and by this reason ineligible. The sole beaches with more or less big parts of sand, dependent on the season, are to find in the surroundings of Taganana (Benijo). Particularly in the wintertime a huge surf is prevalent which causes dangerous undercurrents. Who is going to have a bath there should take care not to go further into the sea as a solid standing on the ground is possible. Even in that case an unexpected big wave may tear one away. The beaches on the southern coast (Las Gaviotas, Antequera) are at least with calm weather less dangerous.

Also the sojourn closed to the sea on a rocky coast or on stone beaches is dangerous. Suddenly coming huge waves may surf and don't give the opportunity to escape to higher situated places. To get wet is the comparatively smaller grievance. One can be smashed by the big waves on the stones and rocks and seriously hurted.

Dangerous animals or plants which may endanger the life are not to find. But it is to point out to possible insect bites and hordes of hunters which may make the region unsure. Following known informations this may happen on Thursdays, Fridays and weekends in the months of August, September and October.

Fire should be ignited exclusively on public places dedicated to this use. In parts of the Anaga mountains the danger of forest fire is higher especially in the summer time.

Recommended clothes: solid hiking boots or non-slip sports shoes. In the winter time at least light rain wear and some warmer cloth for the higher regions in the mist. Moreover an additional tee-shirt which may replace a soaked with sweat one. A sun shade for those who need it.

Other useful things in the backpack: sun cream, a bottle with at least one and a half liter of water, map and/or description of the trip, bus timetable of TITSA, watch, money, plaster against blisters or for small wounds, towel/bathing suit, something to eat. Owner of mobile phone will not take advantage of their digits, because in wide parts of the Anaga Mountains is no connection.

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