There are a number of responsibilities which a hike participant must undertake to adhere to when participating in any group activity with the RTA.

A Hiker Must Be Responsible:

• First, for their own welfare and good behaviour, and
• Second, for showing respect for the land they are travelling through, whether public or private.

Personal Responsibilities:

• Participants must choose activities suitable to their physical capabilities and skill levels.
• They must inform the leader before the start of a hike about any health problems they have and any difficulties with their equipment.
• They must respect the leader's judgement and their own financial obligations for the activity.
• Parents and guardians must supervise their own children.
• Continued access to private and public land by the RTA depends on our careful and considerate use of these lands.

Responsibilities towards the Environment:

• While on the Trail, or during any outdoor activity, the responsible hiker is always expected to abide by the Hiker's Code.

Personal Fitness Required for Activities:

   The various outings organized for Members' enjoyment assume a certain degree of physical fitness. In order to inform everyone in advance of the relative difficulty of any particular activity, each organized hike includes a numeric rating (1, 2, or 3) in the Newsletter notice. The prospective participant must be familiar with the meaning of these ratings. They are described below for the most common activities you will see in the Newsletter.

Summer Activities

Hiking Activity Levels (Degree of Difficulty):

1. Suitable for beginners. Well defined trails, gentle inclines. Hiking boots not required, but trails may be wet.
2. Generally on trail. May include hills, light bushwhacking, some rough spots or obstacles. Boots recommended.
3. Rough terrain, difficult hiking and extensive bushwhacking. Boots, level 2 experience and a high level of fitness essential. Long pants and sleeves recommended.

1. Few hills, broad roads or bike paths, little traffic.
2. Some hills, narrower roads, some traffic; participants should be fit and be experienced cyclists.
3. Long hills, narrow roads; excellent fitness and good cycling skills required.

Winter Activities

Skiing Activity Levels:

0. Flat terrain, variable length.
1. Gentle hills, may be long distance (e.g. 15 km.)
2. Variable terrain, some steep hills. Level 1 experience needed (Green and Blue trails in the Gatineau Park).
3. Long, varied terrain, may be off trails. Level 2 experience essential (Black trails in the Gatineau Park).

Snowshoeing is rated as for Hikes, 1 - 3

The RTA does not provide formal instruction in winter activities. However, outdoor exercise in the Canadian winter can encounter serious weather hazards. It is assumed that in preparing themselves prior to any winter activity, each participant will:

• understand the causes, preventive measures and treatment for hypothermia;
• dress appropriately (in layers), bring lunch and water and be prepared for unforeseen delays on the trail;
• understand that changes in weather and snow conditions can affect the difficulty level of a given trail;
• have experience on and be familiar with his/her own equipment;
• for skiers, be able to perform at least the basic diagonal stride, snowplow and herringbone manoeuvres with confidence under a variety of snow conditions for a period of three or four hours.