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If you are registered for a hike, your plans change and you cannot attend, please cancel your reservation.

To do this:

• Logon to the website
• Go to the calendar and click the event
• Click 'already registered'
• Click your name
• Click 'cancel registration'

Once you cancel, the first person on the waitlist will be able to attend.

How to list a hike on the calendar

Go to the OSC website and sign in.

• On the top banner, pause your cursor over Calendar Menu, that should open two options.
• Click on “Posting to the Calendar”  That should open a JotForm and the top line will say “Contact Us”.
• Go down the form to the bottom line and click on the bullet that says “Post Calendar Event …”  This will open up a bunch of questions and you’ll want to:
• • Post to the calendar now
  • Ask for the registrant’s name and email address
  • Open the registration immediately
  • List the maximum number of people.  (It has typically been either 15 or 20, and it would probably be a good idea to not go above 20.)
  • You want to know who registers.

Below are some of the details that should go in the description that’s going on the calendar.  (In the JotForm, they ask for a “Description for Signup Form”.)

OSC Group Hike Name:

Day & Date:

Meeting Time and place

Directions to trailhead

Rating (if available)/Distance:  (E, M, D, VD)/ approx. # of miles or time to hike

Leader(s):  Name(s) & Email address 

Description of the hike, trail conditions, difficulty, points of special interest

Onondaga Ski Club Hike Leader Guidelines

Version 4      12 May 2021

Below are the most important points to follow is setting up and leading a hike.

Planning the hike

• Provide a detailed description of the hike including distance and the expected conditions along with:
• • Time and date, with a clear description of the meeting point.
  • The hike terrain, difficulty, and length
  • The trail conditions (easy, rocky, roots, mud/water)
  • A recommendation that members arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.
• Know the area you’re hiking and the hazards.  (You should have hiked it within the last month.)
• If you are going to a managed area, i.e., a park or memorial forest, etc., contact the authorities to be sure there are no conflicts.
• Plan for a hike of two to three hours.
• If the hike is on AllTrails, include the hike name. Many participants will both look up and follow the hike on All Trails, but have a few paper copies of the trail map available.

A day or two before the hike

• Two days before the hike, recheck the weather report
• Late on the day before the hike look carefully at the forecast and let people know if it should be cancelled. (We recommend not hiking in wooded areas if the sustained winds are over 20 mph or the wind gusts are expected to be over 25 mph.  Very detailed local area forecasts can be found on nysmesonet.org)

At the trailhead

• Carry a basic first aid kit and a cell phone, and be aware of the local emergency number.
• Be sure all the hikers sign the waiver sheet and include their emergency contact information
• Before starting, have people introduce themselves, then give a basic description of your hike plan, including any shortcuts that can be used by people who may be in over their heads.
• Designate a sweep.  (This may be the assistant hike leader.)

During the hike

• Plan periodic “catch-up” stops and make sure the entire group meets at trail junctions.
• If someone is having trouble and wants to short cut the hike, try to make sure they have a safe and clear route back to the trailhead and are physically able to be on their own.

Proposed Onondaga Ski Club Hiker Guidelines                                 

Version 1                10 May 2021

Below are key reminders for prospective hikers, guidelines to follow to ensure the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all hikers, as well as making the hike leader’s job easier. As the success of a hike is dependent on the hike leader’s preparation, your preparation also contributes to a hike’s success.

Recommendations:

• Dress appropriately, the most important being the correct footwear. Hiking boots or specific hiking sneakers, sneakers clearly designed for hiking, should be worn.
• Clothes specific to the time of year and the weather conditions, gloves, hats, rain jacket, etc. as appropriate.
• Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a charged cell phone, water (water bottle(s) appropriate for hike length and weather) and snacks.  Be aware there are ticks out there so use appropriate spray and clothing.

Requirements:

• Review the hike description and contact the hike leader if you have questions or concerns, especially regarding your abilities v the hike’s description.
• Contact the leader as soon as possible, 24 hours noticed preferred, if you need to cancel (there are likely others on the wait list).  The most convenient way is to Cancel your reservation on the calendar listing for the hike.  Details are in the hiking forum
• Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.
• Review and sign the liability waiver.
• Include an emergency number with your registration.
• Check for hike cancellation on the Hiking Forum of the OSC web site, especially if the weather looks questionable.