Hike Leader and Co-Leader Instructions

• Coordinate and scout the hike ahead of time, except when hike is listed as a scouting hike. You are responsible for making sure we have permission, especially on posted land.
• In order to avoid losing cars traveling to hike site, please have written directions available for each driver and indicate a rendezvous or hike starting point. Include a map if possible.
• Be at meeting place at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled starting time. Describe hike length and terrain, especially making sure newcomers are well informed of the hike difficulty.
• Advise ill-equipped and not-in-condition hikers or parents with too-young children not to come if you believe their safety or the hike plan would be threatened.
• Assist in forming carpools and announce the mileage fee for the hike. Mention any contributions for refreshments, if appropriate. LEAVE PROMPTLY after 5 min. grace period.
• Car caravaning (three or more cars) should be discouraged.
• An owner of a cell phone should be encouraged to carry it along on each hike for emergency purposes.
• If there are more than 25 hikers, recruit additional co-leaders and ask the hikers to form smaller groups by ability. Adjust hike length or difficulty so that each group will finish at the same time.
• Accuracy is critical in assigning hike difficulty. Count carefully and often enough to be sure you haven't lost anyone! Make sure each hiker stays in sight of the hiker behind them. Recruit a "sweep." If a hiker is unable to complete the hike, make sure they get back safely by asking another hiker to accompany them if appropriate.
• In the winter when there are groups of both skiers and hikers, there must be a separate sign-up sheet and leader familiar with the hike for each group. ASK HIKERS TO AVOID SKI TRACKS.
• NO ALCOHOL or DOGS are allowed on TCHC hikes.
• Make sure that hikers walk on sidewalks where available and facing traffic as far to the left as possible when on roadways.
• Be sensitive to any hiker creating a problem or bothering others and ask that person to stop the offensive behavior.
• If hike leader cannot lead hike; recruit another hike leader, or if that is not possible, call a board member for help. The board member should find a new leader or ask for help from the rest of the board.
• In cases of inclement weather, the hike should not be cancelled other than in emergency situations.