Welcome to our Calendar of Events: For more information about any of the Outings, please click on the entry. For more information about our Events, check below the calendar.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT Sierra Potomac EVENTS
Sierra Potomac events are open to the public, but participants must be able to meet the event requirements. See Hike Rating System for explanation of hike difficulty scale. At their discretion, leaders may screen would-be participants by phone; limit the number of participants; and cancel, reschedule, and/or relocate events.
Pets are not allowed on Sierra Potomac outings, except on outings formally advertised (in this calendar or elsewhere) as being open to pets.
DONATION &CARPOOL EXPENSES
Sierra Potomac suggests that each event participant make a $2 donation to help defray Sierra Potomac expenses (the organization is wholly self-supporting). Similarly, for events involving a carpool, Sierra Potomac suggests each rider pay the driver $0.10 a mile for day trips and $0.12 a mile for canoe and backpacking trips. Sierra Potomac also encourages riders and drivers to agree in advance on the total amount per person and to round it off to the nearest 50 cents or dollar. Participants may also consider splitting the cost of park entry fees amongst all members in a car. All carpooling expenses are to be addressed between the car driver and the riders.
PARTICIPANTS ’RESPONSIBILITY
Participants are responsible for their own safety and must assume all risks and liability when participating in outings or other events organized by Sierra Potomac. Sierra Potomac leaders and officials shall not be liable for any injuries, loss, or damage to people or property arising from Sierra Potomac outings or other organized events. Individuals under the age of 18 must either be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or have a signed permission slip from that person to give to the leader of the outing or event.
Participants on Sierra Potomac events are required to sign the Sierra Potomac's standard liability waiver. If you want to read the liability waiver before deciding to participate in an outing or other event, visit www./outings/chapter/forms or contact the club's Outings Department 415/977-5528 to obtain a printed version.
BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
Participants on Sierra Potomac outings and other organized events should be prepared to deal with certain physical risks associated with hiking, especially dehydration and hypothermia. They should carry or otherwise have access to adequate amounts of water, the general rule of thumb being roughly 1 quart for every 5 miles of distance, depending partly on the weather and partly on the degree of physical exertion, and also being mindful of the old saying that, if you're not peeing, you're not drinking enough. They should take along sufficient layers of clothing (wool and fleece are best for warmth; cotton is bad, especially when wet), as well as effective raingear —and also may want to carry some food. Finally, individuals with health concerns should consult a physician and the event leader to ascertain whether a particular event is suitable for them.
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN CALENDAR: AT = Appalachian Trail, GWNF = George Washington National Forest, MP = Mile Post, PATC = Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, SNP = Shenandoah National Park.
HIKE SERIES
Get to Know [name of locale] hikes are educational/recreational outings open to all but aimed chiefly at newcomers to hiking or the metro area. They focus on select areas and combine exercise with brief information-enhanced stops, often along interesting but little-known routes.
Get Fit for Spring/Train for One Day Hike (ODH) outings help hikers shake winter blahs, explore the beauties of nature without crowds, and prepare for outdoor activities in general and Sierra Potomac ’s annual ODH along the C &O Canal towpath to Harpers Ferry. The distances covered by these weekly go-at-your-own-pace hikes gradually increase through the winter and early spring, so hikers can better gauge which (if either) of the optional distances (50 or 100 km) they want to tackle on ODH day April 27 (see www.onedayhike.org for details and on-line registration).