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Hiker Information

Section 1: Membership
Section 2: Readiness
Section 3: Signing up on Meetup
Section 4: Liability Disclaimer
Section 5: Do’s and Don’ts
Section 6: What To Bring on Hikes

Useful Links
Hike Schedule on Meetup
Hike Rating Guide
NVHC Policies

Section 1: Membership

As a member of the Northern Virginia Hiking Club, you’ll have access to organized hikes of interest to new and experienced hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Hikes take place throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area each week, with occasional hikes outside of the area. Whether you hike for exercise or to enjoy the outdoors, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from.

The Club manages its membership and events calendar on Meetup.

Member dues are $5 per year.

Guests are welcome to join Club hikes and events for a month for free.

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Section 2: Readiness

To fully enjoy a hike, it’s important that you’re well prepared. We recommend that you do not hike if you answer “no” to any of the five following questions:

Are you medically fit to participate in this event?

  • Make sure you are in suitable physical condition to attend this event
  • Make sure you able to participate in this hike without any medical restrictions
  • If you have any medical conditions, make sure the host should be aware of to ensure your safety during the event.
  • Make sure you safely take part in this hike based on your current health and fitness level

 

Have you recently done a hike with similar difficulty?

The hike rating may not always be accurate. Also, different people react differently to elevation change. Therefore, the rating is to be used only as a guide, along with other information, such as the actual distance and the amount of climbing, terrain, stream crossings, rock scrambling.

If you have not hiked in the recent past, try an easy hike (rated D) first, and gradually work your way up. We recommend that you do not try a hike of a given rating unless you’re comfortable with hikes one rating lower (except for hikes rated D).

For instance, do not attempt a B hike unless you have done some C hikes and feel confident about tackling something more challenging. Check pace of the hike advertised and make sure that you can keep up at the pace specified.

Do you have enough food and water?

In general, we recommend that you carry two quarts of water. If the weather is hot, you will need even more water. Drink plenty of water. It helps you stay cool in summer and warm in winter. We recommend that you bring enough food depending on the length of the hike. Bring more than you need, just in case.

Do you have proper footwear?

We recommend hiking boots on all our hikes. The boots should be well broken in and should preferably be waterproof. Buy from a well-known outfitter. While considering size, remember that feet expand after hiking; also, you may wear two layers of socks during winter. Try them before buying them, with the socks you intend to wear during the hike. Consider gaiters for snowy hikes.

Do you have proper clothing?

For wet weather we recommend appropriate rain gear. For cold weather we recommend layered clothing. Cold weather clothing should exclude cotton and include the following:

  • Long underwear that “wicks” moisture from body such as silk, polypropylene, or polyester
  • Wool or fleece sweater or jacket
  • Two pairs of socks: Synthetic inner layer, and wool or blend for the outer layer—avoid cotton
  • Waterproof gloves or mittens
  • Wool or fleece hat or cap that preferably covers your ears

See section below on “What to Bring on A Hike” for a comprehensive list.

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Section 3: Signing Up on Meetup

NVHC requests your assistance in reducing hike “no-shows” and minimizing waitlists by observing the following guidelines:

  • If you are wait listed, your chances of going are quite high; wait lists often dissipate quickly as the date of the hike approaches.
  • If you RSVP “yes” to a hike but later change your mind, change your RSVP to “no” as soon as you find out that you will not be attending. Please do not wait until the last minute if you can avoid it.
  • If you RSVP “yes” to multiple hikes on the same day with overlapping times, change one of your RSVPs to “no” as soon as you decide on which hike to attend.
  • If you are on a wait list and no longer wish to attend, remove yourself from the wait list.
  • If for some reason you do not get a chance to change your RSVP at the last minute either 1) send a direct message through Meetup to the leader or 2) post it in the comment section or 3) text or call the leader.
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Section 4: Liability Disclaimer 

You are responsible for your own safety on hikes with the Club. As unpaid volunteers, the hike leaders should not be relied on for any special skills. When you join the Club and signup for hikes, you’ll sign a liability disclaimer:

Liability Disclaimer: Any person participating in any Club activity, whether a member or non-member of the Club, is responsible for his or her own safety, health and welfare, and must assume, and agrees to assume all risks and liabilities related to, or resulting from, any and all Club activities. The Club, its leaders, officers and representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or other property, arising directly or consequentially out of any trips and/or activities of the Club.
 
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Section 5: Do’s and Don’ts

Pace: The pace of the hike is not considered in the rating and is determined by the hike leader. Pace is not based on distance and elevation gain, nor the rating. Do not assume that the harder hikes imply a faster pace. For instance, an “A” rated hike may be at a pace of 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour, while a “C” hike, at 2.5 to 3.0 miles per hour. You should select hikes based both on the rating and the pace that suits you. Make sure that you are okay with a lower pace, since it will lead to needing more time to complete the hike.
 
Attendance Limits: The hike attendance limit is set by the hike leader. The limit may be based on factors such as the venue’s rules, the amount of parking available at the trailhead, and the comfort level of the hike leader in managing a large group.
 
Guests: Some hike leaders choose not to enable the guest feature for many reasons such as long waitlists and the desire to accommodate members first. You are welcome to message the hike leader asking if you may bring a guest if the waitlist clears. Do not bring a non-member to the hike if you did not include them in the RSVP. This is to ensure that the order on the waitlist is respected. Those who do not follow this guidance may be denied participation in the hike. Do not RSVP a current member as a guest. The Guest feature is reserved for non-members and should only be used once for a person. After hiking with NVHC as a guest one time, that person must join if they would like to continue to hike with the Club and must RSVP for themselves in the future. This ensures that the limited spots on the hike are made available to as many members as possible.
 
Profile Photo: Since there are multiple members with the same first name (and in cases the same last initial as well), it is helpful to include a photo and the city you reside in on your profile. Meetup automatically defaults to McLean if location is not specified.
 
Attendance: Do not show up for hikes unless you are on the “going” list. This is to maintain the order on the waitlist. Those who do not follow this guidance may be denied participation on the hike.
 
Comments on Meetup: You should only post a comment for an event in the Comments field when it is intended to be of interest to all attendees. When comments are posted it causes all attendees to receive email messages and/or a notification. Send a direct message to the leader otherwise.
 
Responding to the Liability Question: We require all attendees to respond to the liability question or face removal from the hike for failure to respond.
 
Meetup Messages: The hike leader may attempt to communicate with you using the Direct Message feature. If you do not respond to their messages you may be removed from the hike. Check your Meetup notification settings on your profile to allow messages.
 
Meetup Notifications: On your profile, turn on Notifications so that you get updates about the hikes (such as when a new hike is scheduled).
 
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Section 6: What To Bring on Hikes

Here are some suggestions for items that will enhance your comfort on hikes. Bring any other items you may need. Keep the season in mind, and use your judgment.

  • Enough food and water
  • Cap with visor to prevent sunburn and glare
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Insect repellent spray
  • Flashlight with batteries
  • Matches kept in a dry bag
  • First aid kit
  • Extra shirt and socks stored in a dry bag
  • Map to enable driving to the trailhead
  • Trail map, preferably a topographical map
  • Compass, with a knowledge of how to use one
  • Whistle
  • Toilet paper
  • Extra set of car keys
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