This group is intended to be an open network of outdoors enthusiasts of the boomer age. Several people over the years have asked just what is a boomer? I would generally consider anyone born in the two decades following World War II (1945-1965) to be a boomer, but anyone is welcome so long as they are in alignment with the orientation of the group.
Outdoors activities can include hiking, backpacking, car camping, or the like. Examples would be the relatively short backpack to Wildcat Camp in Point Reyes, which has become a tradition with the group. Other examples would be day hikes in the Marin Headlands, bicycling on the Silverado Trail in the Napa Valley, cross country skiing in the Sierras, car camping trips to Death Valley, or organized treks in Bhutan or Nepal. You get the idea.
Generally trips should be only lightly to moderately challenging, without a need for specialized skills such as snow camping, cross-country hiking, or climbing. If a trip will exceed these criteria, event hosts should be very clear in their trip description and be sure that all participants are fully aware of the level of difficulty and have the skills and equipment to join the trip safely.
Everyone in the group is welcome to organize a trip, and the settings for the group allow anyone to do that. So, if you have a trailhead reservation and want some companions, feel free to post a trip. However, unless you have at least Event Organizer privileges, you will not be able to manage the RSVPs for your activity. It is suggested that you contact the the Organizer, or one of the Co-Organizers, to become an Event Organizer before you post your activity, in particular to avoid having more "yes" RSVPs than you intended or your permit allows.
It is also suggested that you post your trip with a trip size of 1 (yourself) but enable a waitlist. Then edit the RSVPs to the waitlist to identify who will be going. Event hosts will make those selections in their discretion.
A few groundrules. First, be safe. Only organize or join a trip that is within your skill level and be ready to change or abandon your plans if weather or other conditions demand it. Also, unless otherwise understood with the trip organizer, everyone should plan on being self sufficient (equipment, food, transport, etc.). Be on time - this includes knowing where you are going and not getting lost on the way to the trailhead, and allowing some contingency time for traffic, etc. It is much more fun to hang out in camp than in the parking lot at the trailhead. Generally, we will apply a 15 minute rule (organizers will only wait 15 minutes after the appointed time before leaving, unless other arrangements have been made). Even better, show up a bit early. Also, do not sign up for a trip unless you plan to go. Although things do come up that require canceling, do not sign up for a trip just to keep your option open. Late arrivers, last-minute cancelers, and particularly no-shows are very frustrating for the trip organizers, who are volunteering their time to make trips happen. It is in your's and everyone's interest to keep the trip organizers happy, since that is what will lead to future trips becoming available.
Joining activities in this group is entirely voluntary and participants signing up for and participating in these activities agree that they fully understand and assume the risks associated with the activity. The activities of this group are cooperative ventures, and it is each participant’s responsibility to ensure that s/he, and his/her guest(s), is/are in sufficient fitness and health to participate in the activity and be prepared with the appropriate water, food, clothing, equipment, supplies and first aid. Please provide event hosts with an “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) Contact. (This information needs to be provided to the event host for each trip - having provided the information to the hosts of other trips, or to one or more of the CaBOG organizers, is not going to help).By signing up for and participating in an activity of this group, participants agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless all persons and entities directly or indirectly involved in the activity, including but not limited to the event host, all other participants in the activity, and all other members of the Bay Area Boomer Outdoors Group, including the organizer, co-organizers, assistant organizers, and event organizers. Each participant agrees to pay the costs of any evacuation of that participant, regardless of whether the participant agrees that an evacuation is needed or whether the participant agrees at the time to bear those costs. In the event that a participant is incapacitated or otherwise unable to provide informed consent at the time, the participant consents to any medical treatment determined necessary or appropriate by the treating facility and/or physician or other provider, including but not limited to emergency personnel. Even better, participants are encouraged to have an Advance Care Directive / Medical Power of Attorney completed, signed, and in the possession of the participant's personal medical office and family members, with a copy also brought on the trip, in which case that document will govern any health care decisions (this can be done easily by scanning and emailing the documents to yourself, so they are available anywhere there is internet coverage). The agreements in this paragraph are made on behalf of the participants, their heirs, assigns, and all other potential claimants.
Group organizers and the event host(s) make no warranties about the quality, safety, or supervision of these activities. By signing up for any events, you are accepting and agree to follow all the rules of the trip and of the administering agency, campground and/or facilities.
There is no charge for any of these trips (other than the sharing of any actual costs as specified by the event host). However, contributions directly to the group will be appreciated, which will help defray the Meetup fees and other miscellaneous costs. Go out, enjoy, and most of all be safe!
