Many Types of Hikes
KHC organizes group events all year round and there is a wide range of types of hike offered.  Some of the types are described in this blog post.
Social Hikes on Local Trails
For many people the social opportunities to hike with other people is a priority.   These events tend to be moderate routes with a wide range of fitness levels and experience.  Group sizes vary according to the hike leader’s outlook and the challenge of keeping everyone on the right route.  KHC offers many of these types of hikes, but never seems to have enough leaders to fill limited times (evenings and weekends).
Social Hikes on Destination Trails
Similar to the previous description, but because we have to organize a carpool and drive a distance, and take more time, the group sizes may be limited.  Since there is a wide range of trail difficulties, (from easy to hard), he hike may be very social or less conversational (harder hikes).
Backpacks
Most backpacks have logistical issues and group size limits.  Hike leaders try to make sure the fitness levels and experience match the proposed itinerary.   Camp time has a strong social element.  It is very important that the group works together and gets along.  People “doing their own thing” may make things difficult for the hike leader and the group.
Camps
Car-camping at a central spot and daily hikes will have a wide variety of hike types.   In the shoulder-season, hikes may be easy and more socially-oriented.  Hikes in the alpine may be more difficult.  If a wide range of hikes is planned, it is important that no one gets left behind on a trail so fitness requirements need to be defined.  Although we have a few camps each year on the schedule, we could host more camps with moderate hikes planned.
Nature Hikes
Hikes in the outdoors with a focus on connectedness with nature require less noise, smaller groups, and possibly no dogs.  For those hikers looking to see wildlife and to watch for flora, fauna, fungi, and geology, human noise is defeats the goals of the outing.  Nature hikes can range from easy to difficulty and hike leaders may specify their goals for the hike.
Introductory Hikes
For new members or members who are building up to more robust hikes, a hike leader may organize a hike that features meet-and-greet, orientation to group hikes, and some discussion on KHC hiking.  Many of these events are moderate in difficulty.
Fitness Hikes
For some hikers, the goals are building and maintaining fitness so the hike leader may plan a route that challenges fitness levels.   This may be combined with a social element or a nature hike and it is up to the hike leader to specify the goals for the event.
Scrambling
Some hikes will involve off-trail routes that may involve scrambling on more difficult terrain.  KHC uses a Scrambling Scale adopted from climbing organizations.  Concentration is important on the scrambling sections and attention to safety will be a high priority.
KHC also has a number of routes that involve a combination of trails and off-trail sections.  Hike leaders should specify any concerns in their event listings and should brief hikers on risks at important spots on the route.
Alpine Routes
In the summer a number of mountains can be summited with a long day of driving and hiking. many routes are longer and the upper parts of the routes may have scrambling, loose material, or more challenging sections.    Leaders may chose a hike that can accommodate a wide range of abilities, or they may choose trails/routes that are only suitable to fit and experienced mountaineers.  Each hike is different and there is a wide-range of challenges.  The most difficult routes will be less socially-oriented since concentration and fitness demands tend to be the key elements.
Although many members would like to do alpine routes, there may be some challenges.  We can’t leave a hiker alone so if fitness or speed issues are a factor, either the leader has to specify requirements up front or the group has to be committed to waiting for the slowest hiker at regular intervals.  On very long routes, this is not very practical.   There are a few hikes that are well suited to a wide range of abilities.  They tend to be well-marked out-and-back trails with lots of other hikers (National Parks and some Provincial Parks).  A wide-range of abilities on remote backcountry routes will be much more difficult formula.
Community Events
KHC will sometimes organize a hike with a community service goal in mind – Great Shoreline Cleanup, Trail building, Adopt a Trail, grasslands projects, celebrations, and fund-raisers.  Most of these events tend to be moderate hikes with a social element.
Blends
Hike leaders can choose to blend some of the types of hikes and can specify their goals in the hike listing.
No Surprises
We can get into problem situations when we are faced with “surprises”:
- the hike leader does not specify challenges and risks in the listing and at critical points
- the club member or guest does not read the event listing
- a hiker follows a route without asking questions or personally picking a safer route
- a hiker has medical issues and has not disclosed them to the hike leader and or he/she does not bring medications
- guests are not up to the event demands
- a hiker “does his/her own thing”
- dog owners do not control their pets on the trail
- hikers get way out in front of the leader (the leader knows the route)
- other hikers follow the out-in-front hiker assuming he/she knows the way, but then fall behind and are left “leaderless”
- hikers who don’t communicate concerns to the hike leader (and vice versa)
- No shows are not acceptable – please cancel and don’t leave people waiting for you;Â no shows also require follow-up from the hike leader and the Executive making more work for us all
Many Types of Hikes
KHC offers a wide variety of hikes every month and can accommodate almost everyone, but will never have enough leaders and events to suit everyone’s personal schedule.  We just offer many events and hope that some will work for interested hikers.
- Kamloops Hiking Club - September 5, 2021
- March 2021 KHChronicles - March 20, 2021
- February 2021 KHChronicles - February 20, 2021