FAMILIARIZING YOURSELF WITH THIS INFORMATION WILL ENHACE YOUR EXPERIENCE ON OUR OUTINGS
The "Essentials"
We use a "systems" approach; e.g., Sun Protection (may be a combination of sunblock, sunglasses and a hat; or, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, sunglasses and a hat) for our “Essentials” list.
Why such a list? The purpose of this list is to ensure that you are prepared for the conditions of and any unexpected events on your outing; such as twisting an ankle; falling and scraping your knee; or having to remain overnight. Carrying these items whenever you go for an outing, even just a day hike, is a good habit. True, on a routine trip you may use only a couple of these items; however, you will probably not fully appreciate the value of the "Essentials" until you really need them!
What this list does not address is a way to carry everything. You'll also need a fanny pack or knapsack/backpack.
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1. Sun Protection. |
2. Hydration. Minimum 2 quarts of water (bottles or bladder) unless other potable water sources are available throughout trip. |
3. Insulation. |
4. Illumination. Headlamp or flashlight with fresh and extra batteries. |
5. Navigation. |
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6. First Aid Kit. |
7. Nutrition. |
8. Signal Device. |
9. Fire. |
10. Emergency Shelter. |
Medications and Medical Conditions
In addition to the above essentials, you must have enough of any life-sustaining medication to last you for the duration of a trip, to include an additional 48-hour period (in the unlikely event the outing gets detained for a night or two). So, if you go on a day trip, take 3-days' worth of your medication; or, if you go on a 5-day backpacking trip, take 7-days' worth of your medication. Also, for your safety, you should always carry all medication you might need to counteract or treat any reaction/condition you may experience on an outing (e.g., bee sting, exposure to peanuts, asthma attack, insulin imbalance, etc).
It is important that every prospective participant who suffers from a medical problem contact the leader before the date of the outing to discuss their problem and how it might be affected by the outing. If they are not able to speak with the leader before the date of the outing, discuss the problem in private with the leader at the meeting location before departing on the outing.
The Pace of Our Leaders
Besides the altitude; the condition of the trail; and, the total mileage and elevation gain, a leader's pace (or how fast they walk on an outing) significantly affects the ease or difficulty of a trip. Below are general groupings of our leaders to serve as a guide.
| Fast Pace with Few or No Stops | Alan Mendoza | Art Morrill | Bruce Notareus | Greg Felker |
| - | - | - | - | |
| Fast-to-Moderate Pace with Few Stops | Andy Sawyer | Arlene Jamar | Barb Miller | Elaine Gorman |
| Jack Tolomei | Jim Cramer | Kathy | Mae Chaplin | |
| Michelle K. | Randy Brown | Sandra Duffy | Tracy Miller | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| Moderate Pace with Few-to-More Frequent Stops | Brian Braid | Chris Fox | Frank Gray | Jeanne |
| Jeffrey Olson | John Livingston | Judy Molle | Katherine Sargent | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| Slow Pace with More Frequent Stops | Tony Loftin | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - |
Hike Classifications
We use a simple system to classify day hikes. A day hike's classification is expressed as a number and capital letter in parenthesis; e.g., (2C), where the number represents the approximate total mileage for a trip and the letter represents the approximate total elevation gain for the trip. In most cases there will be an equal amount of descent. If you have a question about whether or not you are in condition to do a hike, call the leader to discuss it.
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1 = up to 5 miles |
A = up to 1,000 feet elev. gain |
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2 = 5 up to 10 miles |
B = 1,000 up to 2,000 feet elev. gain |
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3 = 10 up to 15 miles |
C = 2,000 up to 3,000 feet elev. gain |
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4 = 15 up to 20 miles |
D = 3,000 up to 4,000 feet elev. gain |
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5 = 20 or more miles |
E = 4,000 or more feet elev. gain |
Ridesharing/Carpooling Costs
Sierra Club insurance restrictions prohibit our outing leaders from organizing ridesharing/carpools. We do encourage you to voluntarily share rides.
All trips begin and end at the trailhead, not at any initial meeting place. As such, the Sierra Club assumes no responsibility for anything that may occur before you reach the trailhead or after you leave the trailhead of any outing; and, any carpool arrangements are strictly private agreements between a driver of a vehicle and his/her passengers. Each driver is responsible for maintaining appropriate insurance.
Riders are expected, as a matter of courtesy, to reimburse their drivers to cover vehicle expenses, which include bridge tolls, parking fees, and park entrance fees. The Chapter does not have a recommended reimbursement rate. Our groups and sections have established suggested per-passenger rates that range from $0.05 per mile up to $7.00 per hour of driving, plus an equal share of any bridge tolls, and parking, and park entrance fees.
Please note: Before leaving the meeting area, it is extremely important that each rider agree with their driver on the terms of their ride (reimbursement rate; sharing of park entrance fees, bridge tolls, etc.; and, whether or not to stop for dinner).
Trip Limitations
All of our trips have limits established on the number of participants; and, some may establish limits on the physical conditioning of participants. Group size limitations are established to minimize impact on an area and to enable the leader's control of a group for your safety. Conditioning limitations are established for group control (so all participants will remain together as a group) and for your safety.
Liability Waiver
Each participant on an outing is required to complete and sign a standard liability waiver. If you would like to read the liability waiver before an outing click here or contact the Sierra Club Outings Department at 415.977.5528 for a printed version.
Sellers of Travel Law
CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.
Past Recipients of the Chapter's
SID ARNOLD AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING OUTINGS LEADERSHIP
2024 HARRY SPANGLET
2021 No Award - due to COVID restrictions
2020 No Award - due to COVID restrictions
2019 No Award - due to COVID restrictions
2018 JIM CRAMER
2017 No Award
2016 MIKE RANTA
2015 KATHY KHAN
2014 KITTY WILLIAMSON
2013 STAN JONES AND ADRIANNE SCHULTZ
2012 JEFF UTBERG
2011 SHEILA TONER
2010 FRANK OYUNG
2009 DOROTHY GRIGGS
2008 JENNIFER KERR
2007 TED LENZIE
2006 PAUL PLATHE
2005 DAVID WILMOTT
2004 SID ARNOLD
2003 KATHY HIEB
2002 TONY LOFTIN
2001 ESTELLE MILLER
2000 No Award
1999 CAROLINE CURRY
1998 GENE MARKLEY
1997 PAT PURCELL
1996 SID ARNOLD
Your comments are welcome. The Outings Guidelines and Conservation Education Committee is interested in your feedback about the way our outings are organized and conducted. Please provide Tony Loftin with any comments and/or suggestions regarding our Outings Program. Click Here to Email Tony or call him at 916.448.3230.