Unqualified individuals on trips

[BGreen]

Sometimes an overweight and older person does much better than younger, thinner people who are just plain diva dudes. I wouldn't rule them out, but I would allow at a certain point to let those who want to leave the hike early to do so, and have rides at the ready to take them back.

[Theosus]

Originally Posted by Hikenhunter

Don't do just a practice hike. Do a practice camp out. 8 to 10 miles in, set up camp then next day 8 to 10 miles out. This will let them see how each day for 5 or 6 days is going to be. The ones who don't like it will drop out on their own after a two day trip.

Love that idea! You could have someone on standby to pick up those that want to bail after the first night. If these are old people, you may need "extraction points" somewhere every day... they may want to go on, but after the third night their body cant handle it any more and they need to go home.
Actually the same might be true for a twenty year old. A lifetime eating cheese-its and playing "Call of Duty" does not make for a hiker's physique, or the stamina that goes with walking 8 miles a day for several days.

I had a situation happen to me years ago - where I had to walk 13 miles to get help when my car broke down. I did it, it wasn't pleasant, but I could barely walk the next day. If I had to go another 13 miles (or even 4) I could not have done it. It was too painful and my muscles were done.

[JeepThrills]

I never did see how many miles the hike was going to be. A 5 mile hike is much different than a 20 mile hike. I know several older (and overweight) women that walk 5 to 10 miles a day and could easily leave a lot of younger people in a trial of dust.

The women at your church may already be exercising and want to step up to the next challenge. If there is doubt, the practice hike would be a simple way to let them know what to expect on the longer hike.

[dinosaur]

I always figured that an overweight, middle-aged woman who can walk seven miles in high heels through a shopping mall starting the day with a five pound purse and ending it with the purse and two shopping bags with about fifty pounds of goods in them is someone I would have no qualms about hiking with on a trail.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


Just because these are members of a church group is hardly a gaurantee that no law suits will surface in the event of an injury. Unless adequate insurance coverage is in place, get that waiver signed...!!

[Eppo]

The Seattle Mountaineers club requires members to complete some "conditioner's" as they call them before new members can sign up for certain climbs and hikes.