Zurich Hike & Outdoor

WELCOME TO ZURICH HIKE & OUTDOOR!

This information page about our group has three main sections:
A) What we do – who we are – how we operate
B) The fine print
C) RSVP etiquette

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A) WHAT WE DO – WHO WE ARE – HOW WE OPERATE
Switzerland is a hiking paradise, with trails covering almost the whole country … and there is more to see: majestic mountains, beautiful lakes and evergreen fields, just to mention a few things.

WHAT WE DO
Since 2007 we have been organising a wide range of hikes and other outdoor activities throughout the year.
In summer we hike, but we also do rafting, canyoning, biking, inline skating and climbing (Klettersteig, Via Ferrata), swimming and more.
In winter we do snowshoeing, alpine downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, sledging/sledding, ice skating, as well as ski touring and more.

WHO WE ARE
We are a very international and diverse group, with people coming from all over the world – ranging from A like Australia and the Americas to Z like Zwitzerland.
Many members are fairly new to Zürich and are happy to meet other people and enjoy outdoor activities together.
Many of the organisers have been in Switzerland for a while, know the country well and know how to find great activities. They are happy to share their passion for the mountains and the outdoors.
Qualification:
Our organisers are usually NOT licensed mountain guides or other professional guides.
But our organisers are also NOT just random people looking for a hiking buddy, either.
We are in between – that is our positioning.

HOW WE OPERATE

1. We are non-commercial:
   Our organisers host events for the fun of it, to share their passion for the mountains and to enjoy the planned activities together with like-minded people.
2. Transport:
   Our standard mode of transport is public transport – i.e. the excellent network of trains, buses, cable cars and other public transport we have in Switzerland.
   No car needed!
   This is why a frequently used meeting point is «under the Blue Angel» at Zürich HB.
3. Our group is open to everyone:
   We offer events ranging from beginner-friendly activities to demanding outings for experienced participants.
   However, this comes with two big «buts»!
4. But #1:
   Nothing in the mountains is risk free and not every activity is suitable for everyone!
   You need to judge for yourself whether an activity is right for you.
   If you are not sure, start with an activity you consider easy.
   We have a disclaimer that applies to all events.
   See paragraph B) The fine print.
5. But #2:
   Nothing in the mountains is risk free. Risks need to be taken seriously, and an individual participant can also become a risk or burden for the group.
   The event organiser therefore has the right to refuse participation for risk and safety reasons. This explicitly includes situations where the organiser considers that taking a particular person along might pose an undue risk to the rest of the group, especially in difficult mountain conditions.
   Such decisions are at the discretion of the event organiser and need to be respected.
   Example: If the plan is a ski tour at 2'500m above sea level, the event organiser may refuse participation if they consider a person insufficiently prepared or an undue risk or burden for the group.
6. RSVP etiquette:
   Event organisers can set a limit as to how many people can join an event.
   Please be considerate and respectful of this.
   See paragraph C) RSVP etiquette.

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B) THE FINE PRINT
As mentioned above, nothing in the mountains is risk free, and not every activity is suitable for everyone.
Therefore, the following disclaimer applies to all events:

THE DISCLAIMER
Our events are NOT guided tours!
Instead, they are get-togethers of individuals who are responsible for their own judgement, choices and actions.

• 1. BEFORE – What is foreseen?
  It is your own responsibility to prepare appropriately before the event. You need to understand the planned activity and assess its difficulty, risks and hazards, as well as the expected weather conditions.
• 2. BEFORE – Is it for me?
  You need to assess the requirements of the planned activity in terms of experience, skills and fitness, and judge for yourself whether you have the necessary experience, skills and fitness level.
• 3. BEFORE – Being prepared:
  You also need to ensure adequate preparation, appropriate equipment (boots, clothing, gear, etc.) and sufficient insurance cover, and approach the event as if you were going by yourself.
• 4. DURING – Judge and decide for yourself:
  During the event, you remain responsible for applying your own judgement and making your own decisions.
• 5. PHOTOS – You may appear in photos:
  By joining, you accept that you may appear in photos taken during the event. Please do not expect photos to be removed or withheld from posting unless there is a compelling reason, such as a particularly embarrassing or inappropriate image.

In essence:
The events are entirely at your own risk.
The organiser also does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the descriptions.
The organiser provides an opportunity for participants to meet and undertake the activity together. Each participant remains responsible for their own decisions and actions.

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C) RSVP ETIQUETTE
Many events are limited in the number of participants they can accommodate.

WHY – REASONS FOR LIMITS
Practical constraints such as the capacity of a cable car can be a limiting factor.
In the mountains, group size itself can also become a safety factor. On some occasions, reservations or bookings may also require an exact number of participants.
Or – simply – the volunteer event organiser prefers a small group size and does not feel comfortable with a large group.

TWO SIDES OF RESPECT
a) If your RSVP is «Yes, going» and you do not show up, you may have taken a spot away from someone else who really wanted to join.
b) The event organiser will have a reason for setting the limit and has both the need and the right to manage the number of participants.
Therefore…

THE RSVP ETIQUETTE

• 1. Only sign up «Yes, going» if you genuinely intend to go.
  «Yes, going» is not a «Like» button.
  Rationale: Please respect that others might want the spot.
• 2. If your plans change, sign out «No» as soon as possible.
  Please also do that if – at that moment – you are only on the waitlist.
  Rationale: Give others a chance to join.
• 3. If you are thinking about changing your plans, please decide early enough to give others a realistic chance to join.
  This means: Sign out «No» at least 12–18 hours before the event (≈ midday the day before).
  Rationale: Give others enough time to still join.
• 4. If you are signed up «Yes, going», then do join.
  Rationale: See above.
• 5. If two events take place at the same time, only sign up «Yes, going» for one of them – even if the other event is in a different Meetup group.
  Rationale: You cannot split yourself.
• 6. If you are still on the waitlist, please respect that you do NOT have a spot.
  Rationale: The organiser will have a good reason for having set the limit.

All in all:
Please be considerate and reliable with your RSVP.
Your fellow members and the organisers will appreciate this!
(And – people see, people talk – you might want to uphold a good reputation.)

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LOOKING FORWARD TO YOU JOINING!
So ... please don’t be put off by the disclaimer. Just take it seriously!
And please don’t be put off by the RSVP etiquette. Just take it seriously!
See you soon!

The team of organisers