This is YOUR group, use it how you wish, get out of it what you can, but remember everything can be seen by anybody on the internet. Please be careful about posting personal information.
40s Walkers North group is affiliated to The Ramblers Association under number 2188144.
YHA Membership We have Group Membership of the YHA, which you are free to use. Make your booking under 40s Walkers North ( there must be a minimum number of 5 people booking) as its group rather than individual membership. You will need the card as well as the membership number at the Hostel, so please ask us for it.
Status of Group
Please note that the group is just a "loose collection" of like minded individuals who enjoy walking and socialising together and members partcipate at their own discretion and risk and there is no intention to create or imply any contractual or legal relationships with members.
Members of the group shall only be open to individuals who recognise that, walking, scrambling, climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Members shall be aware of and accept these risks and agree to be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Message Boards
Please feel free to use the message boards for walks, ideas, good or bad service, gear reviews, etc. Please do not use the boards for adverse comments about other members. If you have a problem or concern with a particular person or aspect of the group, please contact one of the co-ordinators.
Please note that this is a Walking Group and not a "Dating Agency", so please do not use the message boards for that purpose. In addition, please do not send unsolicited emails to members personal email addresses. Anyone found to be doing this will have their membership terminated immediately.
Photos
Use the photos pages for adding photos of your walks. Try to keep the size of the uploaded photos to a small size. You only have 3mb of space available and this is soon used up with photos. If you run out of space, don't delete the photos, get another membership...just email one of the co-ordinators and we'll tell you what to do.
Walks / Walk Leaders
When on a walk, please try and stick together and in sight of the walk leader, especially on the hills and in bad weather. If a walk leader decides to alter, curtail or amend a walk in any way, please accept this, as there will be a good reason for it. Please do not put the safety of the group as a whole in jeopardy by wandering off or trying to alter a walk. Purely for safety's sake, the walk-leader is in charge and the walk should be the one agreed upon on the day, not changed by other walkers to suit. If somebody other than the walk leader, decides to change where they are going , during the walk, they will be deemed not to be part of the "40sWalkers North led walk" on that day.
If you can see a potential hazard, please do speak up, as others may not be aware of it.
Please remember that the walks are organised and led by volunteers and your co-operation would be appreciated at all times.
Please Don't Just Turn Up Un-announced
We have a system of lists for indicating if you are coming on a walk, so please use it every time. Please do not just turn up un-announced.We have had occassions where 5 or 6 people have turned up on the day making it very difficult for the leader. If it's within 24 hours of a walk, please either text or phone the walk leader/organiser to check if it's ok to go along. It's not always possible for a leader to check the lists before he/she leaves home, so if you decide you're going last minute, please check first!
If You Can't Make A Walk.......
........please don't just not turn up, it's very bad manners and it's not fair to keep people waiting. There's nothing more frustrating than hanging around for someone who doesn't turn up!! Let someone know by text, or phone. Walks/events don't just happen and people do put a lot of time into organising things, so please respect this. If you know well in advance take your name off the list straight away. Similarly, if you're running late, please try and text someone to let them know........otherwise you might get left behind!
Under 18's
Anyone under the age of 18 must have parental consent to be on a walk and accompanied at all times by a responsible adult, preferably a parent. That person will be responsible for the safety of the "child".
Bringing Friends Along
Generally we have no objection to this, however there will be times when a walk has a limit on numbers, usually in the mountains and the longer distances. Members will always be given priority over guests and therefore you should check with the walk leader before bringing a mate with you.
Safety
You should remember that you are responsible for your own safety on any walk and that you should have with you adequate food, drink and equipment at all times. If you feel that you cannot complete a walk for whatever reason, please make it known to the group. Please be prepared to give out an emergency contact number before the start of any walk, just in case. If you have any medical condition that you think might affect you on a walk or a weekend, please tell one of the organisers or leaders.
Please remember - above all else, common sense must prevail
Equipment
We're not going to tell you what you should or shouldn't take with you, again this is down to inividual choice. However, if you're going on one of the higher level mountain walks, please do go adequately prepared. These are items that ideally you should carry with you at all times, as the weather can change very quickly on the fells:
map, compass, whistle, waterproofs, torch, hat & gloves, spare jumper/fleece, food and drink (including emergency rations) and......
please do carry a mobile phone if you have one (although you don't have to switch it on). Similary if you have a GPS, bring it along......you never know.
It's better to be safe than sorry.
Insurance
Civil Liability Insurance is in place, arranged through Royal & Sun Alliance. However, y
ou are advised to have in place your own personal accident or permanent health insurance in case of accident. Dogs
Generally speaking dogs (under control) are welcome, however please check with the walk leader or organiser prior to setting off. There are some parts of the countryside, such as local access areas, where dogs are not allowed.
Please be extra careful with dogs during lambing season!
