RIP VAN WINKLE HIKERS GUIDELINES FOR HIKERS, HIKE LEADERS, & GROUP LEADERS A. HIKER RESPONSIBILITIES ARE: 1. To be at designated meeting place on time. 2. To personally sign Hike Report Form provided by Hike Leader. 3. To provide your own supplies and clothing. It is suggested that you: o Carry a compass, map, food, water, rain gear, first aid kit, and flashlight in a backpack; and o Dress appropriately, including hiking boots, for the season and the type of outing. 4. To remain with the group and not separate. 5. To not hike without a minimum of three (3) hikers. * REMEMBER: Hiking involves hazards; if you participate, you do so at your own risk. You are responsible for your own safety. Being in good health and keeping up with the group are solely your responsibilities. B. HIKE LEADER (SPECIFIC TO A PARTICULAR HIKE) GUIDELINES 1. PRELIMINARY TO HIKE: a. If the Hike Leader finds that he/she will be unable to lead a scheduled hike, the Hike Leader should both arrange to have another Group member cover the hike and notify the Group Leader. If the Hike Leader has a problem in arranging coverage, the Hike Leader should immediately notify the Group Leader. b. If less than three (3) people show up, including the Hike Leader, the hike is cancelled. c. If the weather conditions are questionable, the Hike Leader should be at the designated meeting place to greet any hikers and to decide at that time the course of action to take. d. In the case of inclement weather (rain, snow, sleet, high winds), the hike should be rescheduled. There is no need to be at the designated meeting place if the hike would not take place because of the weather conditions. e. If a hike does not take place because of inclement weather, the hike should be rescheduled to the following week, same time, and same place - not cancelled. If, on the following week the rescheduled hike does not take place, the hike is cancelled. (Continued on other side) 2. AT THE DESIGNATED MEETING PLACE a. The Hike Leader should be at the designated meeting place 10 minutes prior to the time scheduled. b. The Hike Leader is to ensure that all hikers personally sign the Hike Report Form prior to the departure of the hike. c. The Hike Leader must have a map or directions to the trailhead, a map of the hike area, and a compass. d. When a change to the hiking plans is made at the last minute (at the designated meeting place), a call should be made to someone who is at home and/or a note left on a car, making known the trailhead from which the hike will begin and the general route of the hike. This is in case of an emergency on the trail so that help can be sent to the proper location. 3. AT THE TRAILHEAD a. It is the responsibility of the Hike Leader to sign in and sign out at all DEC log registration stations. You should sign in as "Rip Van Winkle Hikers, Saugerties, NY," with the Hike Leader's name and telephone number, and the number in the group. b. Hike Leaders are not responsible for any hikers. 4. AT THE CLUB MEETING a. Hike Leader should present the Hike Report at the next Club meeting. If attendance is not possible, the Hike Leader should make arrangements to have it read by someone else. C. GROUP LEADER (NOVICE, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED) RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To represent your Group at all Club and executive committee meetings. 2. To plan hikes per Club schedules at the conclusion of the bi-monthly Club Business Meetings and report them so that the information can be included in the Club bi-monthly hike schedules. Scheduled hike information should include approximate: level (strenuous, moderate, easy), length, time, and trailhead departure. 3. To provide all Hike Leaders with the Hike Report (sign-in) form. 4. To provide leadership coverage for each scheduled hike by ensuring that a Hike Leader will be available. If a Hike Leader is not available, the hike shall be cancelled. The Group Leader must ensure that someone goes to the designated meeting place to cancel the hike. 3/18/02