Important Information

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Liability

All hikers assume responsibility for any injury or events associated with any hiking trips, including travel to and from. Neither the Hike Leaders nor the Hiking Club Steering Members have any liability for your participation in hiking activities.

All hikers should carefully evaluate their personal health prior to beginning any hike to ensure that you are physically able to participate in the hike safely.  By participating in any hike you are assuring your Hike Leaders that you have made this assessment. The Hike Leader will provide information prior to the hike on the expected conditions and difficulty of the hikes. Hiker safety is our number one concern and you should never start or continue a hike if you have any concern over your personal safety. While the hike leaders will provide an overview of trails being hiked, things can change quickly and someone's view that a hike is easy may be viewed as difficult by another hiker. You must be the one that determines if a hike is safe for you.

For the safety of all hikers, pets of any kind are not allowed.

As a "general" rule of thumb, for those going on the primary hike, you should be able to easily hike one mile in 30 minutes on terrain that is rolling and may contain rocks or roots along the trail. Also make sure that you are in satisfactory health to hike in warm/hot conditions and be mindful of heat exhaustion. Some medications can cause adverse conditions in warm/hot weather. If you have any issues with balance, vision and other physical limitations please take this into account.

 Always bring appropriate shoes for the hike. When a hike is along a paved trail, tennis shoes are generally OK. If you are hiking on a trail that has a material incline, or contains roots or rocks a sturdier shoe with good gripping soles is probably more appropriate. You may have to cross small creeks or streams on some hikes and should consider this in your footwear decision also.

 Likewise, clothing should be appropriate for the planned hike. We have left Bermuda Run with it in the 80’s and found it in the 50’s and misty in the mountains. Mountain conditions may change rapidly…be prepared...including rain.

 Hiking sticks are not required, but are suggested to improve your stability. Hiking sticks may be commercial sticks designed for hiking or may simply be a 4-foot long, 1” diameter stick with a good grip.     

 Always bring adequate water, particularly on warm days. Plan on having at least two bottles for each person as a rule of thumb.

 Sunscreen and bug spray is always suggested.    

 Bring snacks and any medications you may need during the hike. If you are subject to severe reactions of insect bites, including other allergic reactions, and require Epinephrine, please bring an autoinjector with you. 

 A basic First Aid Kit is carried by the Hike Leaders, but we cannot assure any hiker that adequate medical care can be provided for any medical events. EMS services may take a significant time to arrive depending on location. 

Bring your camera! 

 All hikers are responsible for following the hike schedule and being where you are suppose to be when you are supposed to be there. If you sign up for a hike or trip, please plan on participating in all hike activities. Many hikes fill up quickly and if you sign up for a hike, but don't participate in all the planned activities you are possibly denying someone else from being able to attend. 

 ALWAYS notify the Hike Leaders if you leave a hike before the group completes the hike. We do make sure we have the same number of people at the end of the hike as when we started. We really don't want to have to come looking for you. 

 Please address any questions you may have to your Hike Leader or to a member of the Steering Committee before a hike. For 2023 the Steering Committee is:

Susan and Terry Hayworth, Pat and Jack Newman, Brenda and David Forbis, Kathy and Mike Phillips, Karen and Walt Myers,  Barbara and Keith Martin