Long Hikes

This group is for anyone interested in long walks and hikes (generally 25km+) across Sydney, NSW and potentially beyond as the group grows. The events are designed for people who already have a relatively high level of fitness, so if you aren't confident about this it may be worth building up your fitness in other groups who offer less challenging walks and events. We will mainly try to do walks which are easily accessible by public transport and also consider car pooling for hikes that are more out of the way.
Members are welcome to suggest an event if they think something might be great to do in a group.
I started this group to meet like-minded people in the Sydney and the surrounding community who enjoy long hikes in the outdoors. In particular I've created the group because I want to build up my fitness so that I can engage in events such as the Oxfam Trailwalker and also some running events down the track. I really enjoy the outdoors and also the challenge of trying new things, and doing longer and more challenging walks seems like a great way to do this.
GRATUITIES:
From 2021 there will be a $10 gratuity for events. This will cover the one event and also all events for the calendar year.
The purpose of this is to cover direct costs of the group, not to make a profit from the group's activities. In particular equipment and the ongoing Meetup fees, making the group more sustainable.

The first piece of equipment we will be buying is a personal locator beacon, helping to promote the safety and well-being of everyone who does the mountain walks by ensuring that if anyone has an accident we can request immediate access from local emergency services.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Rather than creating difficulty classifications for events I have decided to give as much detail as possible instead so that people can make an informed decision. The reason for this is that I expect most people who already consider themselves as fit would find most of our events challenging.
Although we welcome people to try out events I would discourage people from joining events as a means of stretching their capacity in the case that there are no early exits. Otherwise this can detract from the overall enjoyment of everyone in attendance. I would also suggest that unless you have a proven ability to complete at least 80% of what's included in the distance and elevation and at the same pace then it's probably not a good idea to attend. If you're not sure it's probably a good idea to download an app, like AllTrails, which allows you to measure and record all of these variables when going for a walk - then you can find out for yourself in your own time!
The terrain itself is another factor to consider and people should also be aware that ascent and elevation mean the same thing (they refer to vertical climbing distance); I think this has caught some people out. So for example, walking up a mountain track that is 1,000 metres distance is not a 1,000 metre ascent but is more likely to only be about 300m. The ascent, as outlined in the description, itself is determined the vertical distance covered. To make this clearer I will refer to elevation instead of ascent moving forward.
if you are ever unsure about your ability to complete an event, feel free to message me directly for more information.
Hope you can make it to one of our events.
Public Waiver
By RSVP'ing "Yes" to any of the group's events you agree that you have read, understood and accepted the below Public Waiver Section. And by attending any of our events you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own safety for the meetup. This is a requirement to be able to reserve your attendance for any of the meetup events!
Acknowledgement and Waiver: The Long Walks and Hikes in Sydney & NSW Group advises all intending and actual participants in any of the activities of the group that any or all of those activities may be considered “adventure sport” require appropriate physical fitness, competence and equipment and may involve an element of risk. Participants engaging in any activity of the group do so voluntarily and in the knowledge of the fitness, competence and the equipment required and fully understanding and accepting the risks involved. All participants acknowledge that they take part in such activities at their own risk and will hold none of the Group, the leader(s), others involved in organising or assisting with the activity or any of the other participants in an activity responsible for any death, injury or loss that may result to them or to others through participation in the activity whether due to negligence, misadventure, accident or otherwise.
Those inviting visitors on activities, or deliberately or otherwise providing details of Group activities to others, indemnify the Group and agree that in doing so they have made the terms of this Acknowledgement and Waiver clear and that those participating in an activity as a consequence do so in full acceptance of this Acknowledgement and Waiver. The Group, its leaders, those assisting in organising and those participating in an activity may, to the fullest extent permitted by the law, rely on this Acknowledgement and Waiver as a bar or limitation to any claim for death, injury or loss that may result from such activity.
You must read the public waiver section before you RSVP any of the meetup events. When RSVPed" Yes" to any events, you warrant that all of the information you have provided is both complete and correct and you agree to the terms of this Acknowledgement and Waiver and indemnify the Group, its leaders, those assisting in organising and those participating in an activity for any death, injury or loss that may result to them or to others through participation in the activity.