Joining a Walk

Check you have ambulance cover. Refer to Safety.

If you need any help navigating the website or booking into an event, use our Quick Reference Guide to get you started:

Quick Reference Guide for Members

Quick Reference Guide for Non-members

Book in to the Walk

To join any walk, you need to book in to the event via our website. The Quick Reference Guides above will explain how to do this. In general, the process is:

• View the event page for this walk on the website.
  • Please read the event description and grade to ensure that you are capable of doing this walk, have the required gear and are available on that date/time.
  • If bookings haven’t opened, you will see the date when bookings will open.
• Submit a Booking Request once bookings are open. On the Booking Request form, you will need to:
  • Provide your name and contact details.
  • Acknowledge your risks in participating, that you are responsible for your actions and agree to our Privacy Statement.
  • Provide an emergency contact name and phone number for a family member or friend NOT attending the same walk.
  • Provide your Car-Pooling requirements and preferences (unless the walk starts at a location accessible by public transport).
  • Once submitted, you will receive an email that your booking request is pending approval by the leader (check your junk mail or spam if you can’t find it).
• If accepted on the walk:
  • If no payment is required, you will receive an email that your booking request has been approved.
  • If payment is required, you will receive an email that your booking is approved pending payment. Follow the instructions in this email to make your payment by Paypal or credit/debit card. Once paid, you will receive an email that that your booking request has been approved.
• If the walk is full and there is a Waitlist
  • You can sign up for the wait list, in which case you will immediately receive an email asking you to complete your remaining booking details (this is optional but doing so will increase your chances of getting on the walk).
  • If a spot has opened up for you on this event, you will receive an email “Registration available – Complete your registration now”. Please complete your registration details as soon as you can. If payment is required, you also need to make your payment.
• If you need to cancel your booking:
  • As soon as you become aware of this, please inform the leader by email or text that you are no longer able to attend the walk (you don’t need to provide a reason).
  • The leader will cancel your booking and you may receive an email confirming this.
  • Don’t be a “no show”. Even if you need to cancel at the last minute, the leader will appreciate being informed.

Prepare for the walk

• A few days prior to the walk, you will receive an email from the leader with instructions for the walk including meeting place and time plus transport which may involve car-pooling for you. If you don’t receive it check your junk mail or spam folder – if not there, you could email the leader.

• If you are travelling to the walk by car-pool:
  • You need to communicate with others in your car to arrange meeting time and place. Passengers are expected to meet the driver at a meeting point that is convenient for the driver.
  • Passengers must pay the driver their share of car-pooling costs. Please discuss the preferred method of payment with your driver. Refer to Car-Pooling.
• Pack for your walk:
  • Refer to “Walk Description” and “What to bring” on the event page for this walk on the website, also Gear Checklist.
  • Ensure you have the Leader’s phone number.
• If forecast conditions are potentially hazardous, the walk may be cancelled. Refer to Safety.
  • Please check the event status on the website and your emails the night before and on the morning of the walk, if there is any chance of the walk being cancelled.

At the start of the walk

• If you are running late, please text or call the leader. If you are a little late, the group could wait for you, otherwise we may be able to meet you at another point or you may need to be a late cancellation.

• The leader will ask the group to form a circle and:
  • Explain instructions for the walk.
  • Ask each walker to state their name and check that everyone has arrived and is ready to go.
  • Let the group know who the ‘whip’ is (i.e. the back-marker of the group – important for large groups, but for smaller groups on easier walks the leader may decide a whip isn’t needed).

During the walk

• Follow the direction of the Leader at all times.  Remain with the group unless the Leader agrees you cannot complete the activity and it is safe for you to leave.
• If you are ahead of the Leader, always wait at an intersection (track junction), irrespective of how obvious the right direction is.
• Leave your pack by the track, or where the group has stopped, if you need to go for a “nature call”.
• Let someone know (preferably the Leader or whip) if you need to stop for any reason.  Someone will wait until you are ready to move again.
• Stop immediately you have a ‘hotspot’.  The Leader will help you treat a blister – the longer you leave it, the worse it will get.
• If you lose sight of the person in front of you and aren’t sure of the route, call out or blow your whistle or phone the leader if possible.  Stay where you are.
• Follow our minimal impact guidelines.
• Have fun!

After the walk

• Cake! Often there is time for afternoon tea before heading home.
• It is important that our walks and activities run smoothly, are enjoyable and safe. If there is any aspect of an activity, including the behaviour of other members, or the Leader, that causes concern, please contact the Club President. All matters will be treated confidentially. Refer to our Code of Conduct.