( Or, I can’t imagine how more than two people could possibly hike together and Leave No Trace Behind )
Our larger hike Organization
Overall organization
We have about one hike leader for about every 15 to 25 hikers. By having so many leaders per hike it allows us to organize hikes in a more fun and safe manner. After a few minutes of hiking, our hikers will spread out as they find the leader that best suits their pace. This allows horses, bikers and other hikers in the park to easily pass. Hike leaders will assist the passage of other park users in a courteous and friendly manner.
Hike Leader Organization
Each Hike Leader has responsibilities that may not be found in other hiking groups:
- Hike leaders are picked based on their different hiking paces. Slower hike leaders will be closer to the end of the group, and faster hike leaders will be closer to the front of the group.
- At the end of the group is a special hike leader known as the Scoop. The Scoop will ensure that no hiker is left behind. The Scoop will count all the hikers at the beginning and keep track of any hikers who decide to quit.
Each hike leader carries:
- A printed official park map with the planned route traced out on the map. This helps match trail names on the map to signs along the trail.
- A whistle to alert hikers who have taken the wrong path to come back.
- A first-aid kit. Each leader has also completed a course and is certified in First-Aid and CPR.
- A GPS with a built-in radio with the planned route downloaded into the GPS unit’s permanent memory. Our job is to stay on the purple line (planned route) at all times. The built-in radio sends out our position to the other hike leaders so we can all know where the entire group is at all times.
- A GPS with a built-in radio is also used to communicate with the other leaders in case there is any doubt on the hike about which way to turn. What you see on the map is not always what you get on the trail. Sometimes trail signs are confusing or missing. Also, the radio allows us to change plans in real-time due to unexpected conditions such a certain trail is impassible or closed.
Hiker Responsibilities:
Each Hiker has responsibilities that may not be found in other hiking groups:
- Hikers will carry at least 1.5 liters of water, or more if the event requires it.
- Hikers will eat a good breakfast, or quickly lose steam during the hike.
- Fasting will lead to your death on the hike. The internet is wrong. We have deep near death experience on this. Fasting people are forbidden. No exceptions.
- Hikers can hike at their own pace as long as they can keep a hike leader in their sight.
- Hikers are free to move between hiker leaders at any time during the hike.
- At a trail intersection, if a hiker cannot see which way a leader went, then they are to just wait a few minutes for the next hike leader to pass by.
Our Smaller Hike Organization
Our smaller hikes require less organization to make it safe and fun.
Overall organization
We have one hike leader at the front. And, one Scoop at the back.
- At the end of the group is a special hike leader known as the Scoop. The Scoop will ensure that no hiker is left behind. The Scoop will count all the hikers at the beginning and keep track of any hikers who decide to quit.
Hike Leader Organization:
Each hike leader carries:
- A printed official park map with the planned route traced out on the map. This helps match trail names on the map to signs along the trail.
- A radio to communicate with the Scoop in case there is any doubt on the hike about which way to turn. What you see on the map is not always what you get on the trail. Sometimes trail signs are confusing or missing. Also, the radio allows us to change plans in real-time due to unexpected conditions such a certain trail is impassible or closed.
- A whistle to alert hikers who have taken the wrong path to come back.
- A GPS unit when on unfamiliar terrain.
Hiker Responsibilities:
- Hikers will carry at least 1.5 liters of water, or more if the event requires it.
- Hikers will eat a good breakfast, or quickly lose steam during the hike.
- Fasting will lead to your death on the hike. The internet is wrong. We have deep near death experience on this. Fasting people are forbidden. No exceptions.
- Hikers will move together as a group.
- At a trail intersection, the hike leader will stop for the group to catch up.
Carpool Etiquette:
Carpooling is not for everyone.
Everyone who is in the carpool must agree to a slower paced sightseeing plan, or to do extra miles, BEFORE anyone gets into the car. This is regardless of whether there is a leader in the carpool or not.
It is NOT majority rule. Everyone must agree.
You cannot hold the carpool driver/riders hostage because you changed your mind after starting, or did not share your plan. All people who agree to a plan must be in the same car.
Any decision (or, non-decision) that you make that significantly extends your arrival time back at the car, must be communicated in advance of making that decision and agreed upon by everyone in the carpool.
You must adhere to the original hike plan and hike with the group if you fail speak to everyone in your carpool and get agreement.
Please be considerate of your carpool members at all times.
Right of Way
All parks have rules that require all hikers and cyclists to yield to horses (where allowed), and cyclists (where allowed) to yield to hikers. We follow all such right of way rules.
In addition, each leader will:
- Ensure all hikers hike on the right side of wider trails to allow the passage of horses, cyclists and other hikers.
- Yield to horses.
- Make room for cyclists when possible on narrow single track trails without putting anyone’s safety or the environment at risk.
- Ensure the safe passage of hikers across roads with vehicle traffic.
Hiker Safety and Conduct
We require permits for many of our hikes due to our size. We are only able to get our permits approved if we can assure the park authorities that we have done everything possible to deter poor behaviors and encourage good behaviors.
Outdoor environments are fragile and special care needs to be taken to ensure that they are protected:
- Do not do anything illegal or do anything against park/trail rules.
- Stay on the marked trails at all times. Off-trail wilderness scars easily and can take years to recover.
- Always listen to safety rules and event agendas provided by trip leaders.
- Do not hike alone and generally stay with the group.
- Please drive only on the roads provided; vehicles can damage vegetation.
- Fire can cause devastating losses. Please don’t throw cigarette butts down. There is no smoking during our hikes. The lighting of fires is strictly forbidden except in the designated areas at the parks or hiking areas.
- Please do not litter. There is no one to clean up after you.
- To protect our environment we would appreciate if a policy of “whatever you bring in – you take out” was followed. This includes orange peels, and egg shells. If you don’t like what you are eating, do not spit it out on the trial. If you don’t like it, swallow it.
- It is illegal to pick any plant, or to disturb or kill any animal or to remove or disfigure any biological, archaeological or geological material.
- Picking of berries is not permitted. The berries are there for the animals that live there, not you.
- Hikers taking deliberate and obvious short cuts when hiking could speed up erosion and damage wilderness. This is a punishable offense at many parks and you are asked to remain on the paths.