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NOTES ON WALKS
Where do we meet?
The meeting place for all walks (from April 2011 onwards) is the car
park adjoining the Council Offices in Glenurquhart road, Inverness.
In most instances members share cars to travel to the start of walks
and, because parking is often limited, a minimum number of cars
should be used. It is customary for passengers to make a
contribution to driver’s costs. For the average car, this would
amount to approximately 20 pence per mile,
divided between the number of passengers in the car. Occasionally we use private
coaches or car shuttles to allow more flexibility in regard to start and end
points of the walks.
Anyone who plans to go straight to the grid reference start point, MUST let
the Walk Leader know beforehand.
How safe are the walks?
Safety is always our first consideration and new members are requested not to
attempt walks outwith their capabilities. When signing the Register at the
beginning of the walk, you should give a contact telephone number, not necessarily
your own. It should be noted that the Ramblers’ Association and its
agents take no responsibility for any loss or injury incurred during their activities.
What happens if there is bad weather?
In cases of inclement weather, the decision whether to proceed on a walk or not will
be made by the Leader. If necessary and possible, alternative walks will be
arranged but it must be appreciated that such changes are made and arranged at very
short notice.
What should I wear?
You are advised to be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions irrespective of
the time of year. Boots are advisable for the majority of walks. Waterproof
jackets and trousers are essential in winter and are much more comfortable if they
are made of breathable material. Several light layers of clothing are better
than one heavy one as they allow more flexibility. Trousers of
modern synthetic materials are ideal. Avoid jeans. Keep a hat and gloves
in your rucksack, preferably waterproof and, particularly in snow, dark glasses.
Can I get any discounts on clothing?
Discounts on purchases are available to RA members on presentation of an RA
membership card. Both Millets and Blacks offer a 10% discount and Tiso have
Club Discount Nights when various discounts are offered; these evenings are advertised
in the Club Walks’ Programme booklet.
Do I need to bring food and drink?
It is advisable to have a hot drink and adequate food, especially on winter walks.
In summer, it is important to have sufficient water to prevent dehydration.
Can I bring my dog along?
Dogs under proper control will be welcome provided they do not cause a nuisance to
livestock, wildlife or other walkers. It is important that dogs are kept on a leash
at all times. Dogs should not be allowed
to run through the legs of other walkers and they should be kept away from other
walkers at refreshment breaks.
Owners should arrange to transport their dogs in their own cars. There may be some
walks where dogs are disallowed but, generally, there will be warning of any such
restriction in the walks’ programme.
Who decides where we’re going?
The Group’s Walks Convenor, assisted by Walks Leaders, arranges the walks
programmes. The leaders put considerable effort into planning, pre-walking and
organising their walks. The leader’s decision will be final on all matters
concerning their walks. Please do nothing to undermine their authority and,
in particular, if you have any comment to make regarding the conduct of the walk,
do so in private. It is the responsibility of each Walk Leader to appoint a back
marker and collect and carry a First Aid kit. Both Leader and Backmarker should
carry first aid kits.
New walk leaders are always welcome and anyone who wishes to lead a walk or to
suggest a new walk should speak to the Walks Convenor. New walk leaders who
would like a buddy to help them with their first few walks may make this arrangement
through the Walks Convenor.
How are the walks graded?
Please note that these are the gradings the Inverness Group uses on
its posters and on the walks programmes that goes out to members. The gradings on the
RA Walks Finders database use a nationwide system intended to be meaningful to
people from other parts of Britain.
The description of each walk in the programme includes the approximate distance and
total height gain. A grade, A, B or C, is assigned to guide members as to the
difficulty the intended route may present. Definitions of the grade parameters used
follows below:
C/C+ Walks of the least difficulty, not more than 10 miles
distance OR 1000 feet
ascent.
B/B+ Walks more difficult than C/C+ walks and not exceeding 15
miles distance
OR 2500 feet ascent.
A Walks more difficult
than B/B+ walks and not exceeding 18 miles distance
OR 4000 feet ascent.
A+ Walks more difficult than A walks.
The + suffix indicates a walk at the upper limit of difficulty for that
grade. In the limits for grades B/B+ and A there is a trade off
between distance and ascent, i.e. those walks will not have distance and
ascent both equal to the upper limits referred to above.
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