Roles of Trail Leader, Tail, and Mid-Gunner

There are at least two, but usually three, people who serve as the staff on a trail run.

Origins of the term Mid-Gunner

The Trail Leader is the primary person in charge. He or she leads the group and has the final say. The Leader is responsible for navigating the trail and should have “pre-run” the route recently to verify trail conditions and to make sure that their saved .gpx tracks in onX or GAIA are accurate and up to date.

At the rendezvous site, the Leader will collect waivers or release forms and conduct a brief drivers’ meeting.

During the run, the Lead will announce turns, obstacles, and offer driving advice. Periodically, he or she will ask for status reports from the Mid and Tail, to make sure that the caravan does not get too separated.

Second in command is the Tail Gunner. The Tail acts as the caboose and is visibly able to monitor the back half (or third) of the column.

Whip flags help identify your Trail Staff

A Mid-Gunner inserts about half-way down the column and keeps an eye on the handful of vehicles in the front half of the column that are between the Mid and the Leader. Small groups, such as only 6 cars, often forego the role of Mid. Very long columns, such as over 15, may even have a second Mid to help keep track of things.

Mids and Tail will echo any radio instructions from the Leader. That confirms that they heard the instructions correctly and serves as a “repeater” to insure that any vehicles in a radio blindspot or at the far end of the column can hear the instructions.

The Trail Leader should share a copy of their route .gpx file with the Tail and Mid Gunners, in case they have to escort someone off the trail or for redundancy in case the Leader’s electronics fail.

Tail (or Mid) should be familiar with and have onboard GPS navigation along with a copy of the Trail Leader’s .gpx file route – just in case the Leader has electronic problems or if the caravan gets separated for any reason. Sometimes, a driver very familiar with the trail will drive in the number 2 slot, just behind the Leader, to help advise the route.

“To volunteer as a Gunner, you don’t have to be an expert in everything nor stock your vehicle with all sorts of recovery equipment. Our jeep club encourages new people to experience the roles of Mid or Tail, because we realize that there are some highly experienced club members in the run who can step up in the event of an emergency.”