ABOUT THIS MEETUP GROUP OffRoadHikingClub.com
“Off Road” Hiking Club plans different types of hiking events, both near and far, ranging from easy to strenuous, from day hikes to multi day excursions. Our purpose is to build a larger community of hikers in the Tri-State areas and have fun while we're doing it. We do this by exploring the natural beauty of Pennsylvania and beyond while introducing you to people with similar interests.

If you enjoy the outdoors and hiking, then this is a group for you to join. Most of our activities will be scheduled in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, with other possible locations as per our members' wishes

New and pending members, you are asked to please read this section all the way to the bottom before you join our group. Also please read our Code of Conduct.

How to Choose an Event
Our events are posted on the event board (on the "Home" page) and also on the calendar (use the link on the left side of your screen). Please read each hike description to see if it's a good fit for you. This keeps you safe and keeps your fellow hikers happy. If you are new to hiking, please start out with one of our EASY hikes to try it out.

Please do NOT come out on a hike that's too difficult for your condition on hike day. This includes anyone who has had a really late night.

Before You RSVP
Although we love to have fun, we are first and foremost a hiking group. While we care a great deal about the safety of everyone, it is YOUR responsibility to be safe while you are out on the trails with us.

This means that if you would like to join us on a hike, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to read the hike description and come prepared. This keeps all of us safe and happy.

The hike organizer is fully empowered to turn folks away at the trailhead or to ask folks to turn back part way through the hike for any reason. Hike organizers may edit the RSVP list, so if you are RSVPing for an event that is similar to past events that have proven beyond your capabilities, the organizer may contact you about your RSVP and / or remove you from the list. This is a safety issue as well as an issue of hike enjoyment (particularly on more difficult hikes, unprepared or unfit hikers pose a safety threat to others as well as to themselves).

The organizer of this group works hard to make sure that hiking events are as enjoyable as possible, so please be kind: if you have suggestions and / or criticisms during or after a hike, please remember to be courteous and considerate of others. If you have a serious complaint, please contact the organizer directly.

Carpooling
Sometimes we'll meet at a designated spot and then carpool to a hike / trailhead. Please always offer your driver gas money. If you don't feel comfortable carpooling, then simply meet us at the trailhead and / or let the organizer know you'll be driving yourself only.

DO NOT volunteer to drive if you can't read a map or follow directions.

I'm New!! What If I Don't Know Anyone at the Hike?
We are a very friendly group. If it is your first time out with us, you may THINK that everyone at the hike knows each other (except for you), but this is not the case. New members attend every event we host, so just start talking. It works every time.

What Should I Wear / Pack / Bring on Hike Day?
There's a lot of information in each hike description so please read full descriptions and do what it says. Besides bringing The Ten Essentials, which is described in practically every written text on hiking, here are some suggestions to help you get started:

Food: On longer hikes we almost always stop for lunch / snacks while on the trail, but we do not necessarily stop at a half-way point in the hike. Bring food for longer hikes and plan on eating it. Sometimes we'll go out for a bite to after the hike, but that is AFTER the hike.

Water: This is a biggie, people. Water is crucial, especially in hotter months. It's always better to bring too much water than to bring too little. Bottled water is perfectly fine but as you get more serious you might invest in one of the water reservoirs (CamelBak is a popular brand) that you wear on your back or are built into backpacks.

Backpacks / Daypacks: If you're a beginner, don't think you have to go out and spend a ton of money on a fancy new backpack (called “daypacks” in the world of hiking). For day hikes, the one you used in college or picked up at a neighbor's garage sale will do just fine. (Backpacking trips are a different animal: for those you will need a special kind of pack.) Again, as you get more serious and want to do longer treks, look at investing in a good pack designed for day hikes.

Footwear: This is something you should not skimp on. Good walking / running shoes are okay for shorter hikes on dirt and mulch trails, but longer hikes and rocky or wet terrain require a good pair of hiking boots or shoes. Outdoor gear stores with knowledgeable staff (REI, Campmor) can help you find the right footwear for your particular hiking needs. Even if you don't buy their shoes or boots, it's still good to go in and ask questions.

Clothing: Finally, dress for the weather. If we've had a lot of rain, the trails will be muddy. If it's cool / cold, dress in layers that can be removed as you warm up. Many hikes will still go on during rain / snow / ice, so check the event description one last time before you head out the door to make sure it hasn't been canceled. If you're not comfortable with weather conditions, then please alert the organizer that you won't be attending.

What to Expect on Hike Day
Folks will gather at the carpool location or trailhead around the start time. There's no sign, no welcome board, no nametags. Someone may come up and ask "Are you here with Meetup?"

While we enjoy having a good time, and hope that you will enjoy coming out on hikes with us, what we care most about is safety. If you come to our events, you WILL listen to a description of the planned hike.

We tend to take a bunch of photos at our events, so if you'd like to opt out of the group photo, please let the trip leader or individual photographer(s) know you would prefer to not be immortalized in pictures.

Is All of This Safe?
Our hike leaders are volunteers and not paid professionals, but one of the group's goals is to make sure everyone has a fun and safe time on the trails (and at other events). But remember: Your personal safety is your responsibility.

Sometimes you'll be asked to sign a release waiver saying you won't sue if you get hurt. Even without a release form, be aware that Meetup.com's terms of service agreement specifically says that members join any and all meetups at their own risk and cannot hold meetup.com or its organizers and other members liable for damages.

How to Suggest a Future Event
Any member with an idea for a hike can suggest plans to an organizer by clicking any one of the organizers' names in the left hand column of the page. Please include preferred dates, times and directions to the hike. We would be happy to organize the event for the group. You can also post a message by clicking the Messages link on the left to start a discussion and see how much interest peeps have in your idea. Lastly, you can go to the Calendar link (left) and click on “Post an Idea” at the top of the page.

Of course, the best way is always to come to our in person get togethers and just talk to people directly. If you have an idea, don't be shy!

What's Most Important?
Read and follow the instructions in the event descriptions. Have we said this enough? Check back on the event pages before you leave for a hike because information is often updated only on this site. Because we don't ask members to share email addresses and phone numbers, don't expect a personal call from an organizer if something changes.

We're looking forward to seeing YOU on the trail!

“Off Road Hiking Club”

[A very special Thank You! to the previous organizers for their excellent work in preparing most of the text in this meetup group's web site.]