We all started our journey somewhere…
…and we’d love for you to continue that journey with us! Group hiking is a wonderful social experience that allows us to share our passion with likeminded seniors, but it can have a different dynamic than solo hiking or hiking with a partner.
Our team has put together helpful tips and guidelines to ensure our experience is as safe and satisfying as possible. Whether you’re a hiker with decades of experience or just taking your first steps into hiking with a group, we strongly advise that you read up on our safety information and tips for hikers below.
Our group always stays together when we hike
The hike leader’s responsibility is to ensure they know the route and set a reasonable hiking pace for the rest of the group.
The hike leader recruits a Sweep, who is always in the back of the group.
As a backup, every hiker should be within voice range of the hiker in front and the one behind. If you see a large gap developing anywhere in the group, you should call ahead and alert the hike leader.
Important safety information for hikers
For slower hikers
Always choose hikes in line with your own abilities—if you’re not sure what difficulty of hike you can handle, start slow and work your way up.
Slower hikers should hike near the front or middle of the pack so others can be aware if they’re having difficulty and need to rest.
If you need to stop for any reason, always alert the hikers in front of you so the group can rest. You’re not holding up the group by needing to take a break, you’re helping the team stay safe by staying together!
For faster hikers
Slower hikers can’t speed up—it’s your responsibility to slow your pace to match the rest of the team.
Faster hikers should hike near the end of the pack where they can comfortably match the pace at which the group moves.
Keep a safe distance between yourself and the hikers in front of you to minimize the risk of stepping on heels or tripping another hiker.
Emergency protocol
Do not panic: your team members need you to be levelheaded and focused in order to successfully navigate emergency situations.
Gather the group together in a safe place and engage everyone to work out a response plan to the situation.
If the response involves splitting up the group, each subgroup must have its own leader and a clear plan for how, when and where to get back together.