What we’re about
We are a relaxed "no attitude" group of LGBTQIA Hikers, Bikers, Snowhoers, Skiiers, Pickle ball Players (picklers) & Friends who enjoy being outdoors year-round, whether hiking, snow-shoeing, cycling, skiing, pickleball playing, rafting or at blended social events: Hike & Bike, Jazz & Walk (Montreal Jazz Festival), Art Walk & others. Group is made up of all the letters of LGBTQ, all levels of hikers and bikers - from beginner to very advance, and of all ages from 20s to 80s.
IMPORTANT: While LGBTQ+ Families are welcome to all events, NO MINORS on their own are allowed as members of the group.
This is a group for adults LGBTQ+ & Friends only. Thank you.
There is no fee to join group, but for some of the events, national parks and trails we visit, there may be entrance or vendor fees and those will be posted on the event listing.
We try to keep events to a manageable size for hiking or snowshoeing, but also a size that tries to encourage community en route. For that reason, some of the events may get filled up and have a waitlist - but as spots open up, waitlisted members will be automatically added.
Profile Photo: Please include a photo of yourself to facilitate group events.
Meetup/Group Respect & Etiquette:
As a courtesy to other group members; including LGBTQ Families who are part of this group, all membership requests with nude or inappropriate photos as profile photo will be declined automatically by the filters. If you receive an unsolicited - offensive message here from another member that is discriminatory, or sexual in nature - please copy message and meetup handle name & send directly to us. This is private group and we have and will continue to ban and block any member that does not respect other members or the meetup/group etiquette.
** **This is a free group to all, but we do have annual meetup membership fees that keep going up (including to hikes in the past year) and other monthly administrative, events costs associated with running the group - so all profits from the sale of any Gikers Shop Merchandise goes to help cover those costs.
The Montreal – Laurentides Gay Hikers & Friends (“Gikers”) Group Organizers are volunteers, not professional guides and we do not have any type of certified training. Organizers are going on hike and/or other outdoor/recreational activities and inviting others to join.
Participation in any event with the group is at your own and your guests' risk. Hiking safety is your responsibility. Make sure that you and any guest you may bring are in good physical condition to participate and you have all the required equipment.
CARPOOLS LINK PROVIDED WITH MOST EVENTS - Carpool link is strictly provided in response to members requests to include in every event, but please know that the carpool link is strictly populated by and for group members and not managed or overseen by any of the group organizers or event coordinators.
ALWAYS be extremely careful before getting into anyone's car and please pay close attention and follow the CARPOOL/RIDE SHARE SAFETY TIPS suggested by Kijiji Central in their note below: Car pool and ride share safety tips - https://www.kijiji.ca/kijijicentral/autos/owners/driving/car-pool-and-ride-share-safety-tips/
Please review the Statement of Responsibility below in detail and if you do not agree with any part of the statement of responsibility, please do not sign up for the group and/or delete yourself from the group asap.
RESPONSIBILITY WAIVER - By requesting to become a member, accessing the group's site or mobile app, and/or attending any of the events myself, and any guests that I may bring,I, and any guests that i may bring to the events, fully understand that outdoors and other events/activities of the group may be dangerous and, by becoming member, I acknowledge and accept all the possible risks of injury, loss, or damage to me and any of my guests arising directly or as a consequence of any Montreal – Laurentides Gay Hikers & Friends (“Gikers”) Group activity. I, and any guest that I may bring to the events, hereby release the Montreal-Laurentides Gay Hikers & Friends Group (“Gikers”) and all the activity/event organizers from all responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage to myself or any of my guests and release the said Group and organizers from any and all claims including any claims which may be made in my name, or in the name of any of my guests, by my or their heirs, successors, administrators, and executors of my will. I, and any guest that I may bring to the events, hereby understands, agrees, and accepts that the Gikers: Montreal-Laurentides Gay Hikers & Bikers Group (“Gikers’) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by Gikers, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. Gikers may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by Gikers including but not limited to digital or print: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, videos, websites, apps, tweets, social media, and others. By participating in a Gikers event, you are agreeing to release, defend, hold harmless and indemnify Gikers, its organizers, leadership team, its affiliates and all its members from any and all claims involving the use of your picture or likeness. Any person or organization not given written, signed and verifiable approval by Gikers organizers - may not use, copy, alter or modify any Gikers photographs, graphics, videography or other, similar reproductions or recordings at any time.
If you do not agree to any of the above, please do not request approval to join the group and/or remove yourself from the group immediately. Merci!