Mountain Backpackers’ Club

Code of Conduct

All Mountain Backpackers' Club members, guests and visitors are bound by the following Code of Conduct:

1. Participation in a Club hike is a privilege rather than a right, the safety, and wellbeing of all participants is a priority.
2. It is a leader's prerogative to accept, discourage or deny a hiker's participation on the grounds of poor or unknown fitness, poor health or inadequate / inappropriate equipment.
3. Acceptance for participation in an official Club hike should be seen as a binding commitment unless exceptional circumstances (e.g., sudden ill-health) determine otherwise.
4. Any medical conditions or considerations should be discussed in advance with the leader of a hike, prior to booking that hike.
5. I give the club permission to use my contact information for communications pertaining to the activities of the Mountain Backpackers' Club. This includes but is not limited to phone numbers, addresses (physical and virtual), social media, communication groups, in line with the POPI Act.
6. In line with this act, I will not use or share the contact details of other club members and hike / event participants for reasons other than club activities, without their personal permission to do so.
7. The leader's instructions must be followed with cheerful cooperation. If instructions appear unclear or ambiguous, the leader should be asked to clarify them to avoid misunderstanding.
8. For everybody's safety, NO-ONE may walk ahead of the leader, intentionally hang back from the group or leave the main party except with the leader's express knowledge and
9. If a member is falling behind, immediately inform the leader so that appropriate, safe action can be taken. Hike participants must take their cue from the leader and not follow other hikers.
10. The Ezemvelo KZNMountain Register (where applicable) and the Club's own Hike Register(s) and Indemnity Form must be properly completed by all participants with all the necessary information supplied.
11. The natural environment, including fauna and flora, is to always be treated with the greatest respect and left untouched. Short-cuts that may cause or increase erosion must be avoided. Flowers may not be picked, and nothing may be removed.
12. Rock art can degrade and is damaged by even the slightest interference, including skin oils, and thus must not be touched, wetted, rubbed or damaged in any wayCertain sites may only be visited in the presence of an Amafa-accredited Rock Art Custodian.
13. The Club is represented by its members who are, therefore, expected to conduct themselves in a dignified, respectful and friendly manner at all times, in their dealings with each other as well as third parties such as park officials.
14. Members must treat personal and private property of fellow hikers and landowners with respect. Any damage must be reported immediately with a reparation plan.
15. Everyone's personal space must be respected. Members are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, considerate manner towards fellow hikers in terms of both their person, their modesty and items in theirAny inappropriate comments, actions or behaviour will be looked at very seriously and may result in action being taken against the perpetrator.
16. The Mountain Backpackers' Club is an inclusive club, and no discriminatory, inflammatory, disrespectful or personally offensive comments or behaviour will be tolerated during any interaction, whether in-person or virtually.
17. All rubbish - including but not limited to cigarette butts, matchsticks, candle wax, fruit peels, cans, empty gas cylinders, sanitary products, food wrappers - must be carried out of the hike area and disposed of properly. Rubbish may not be buried. Any and every item that has been carried on a hike, must be brought back from the hike and disposed of responsibly.
18. Human waste and toilet paper must be properly buried, in an unsheltered area, away from paths, at least 50m from bodies of water, streams, caves and overhangs. The same applies to cooked leftovers but only if these cannot be carried out of the hike area (DO NOT leave food waste in water bodies).
19. Campfires are not permitted anywhere in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Site.

By clicking on the link to register on-line you are agreeing to abide by the Club rules and I understand that, should I not abide by the Mountain Backpackers' Club Code of Conduct, after being given a warning, the Executive Committee can cancel my membership with no refund of any fees paid by me.

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REGISTER YOUR MEMBER DETAILS ON THE ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM

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