Mountain Backpackers Club

Code of Conduct

All Mountain Backpackers Club members, guests, participants and visitors take part in events entirely at their own risk. The club and all who form the club, its officers and hike leaders, will not be held responsible or liable for any injury or loss whatsoever, and 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. Reasons may include, but not be limited to, the grounds of poor or unknown fitness, poor health or inadequate / inappropriate equipment.
3. The leader's instructions are final and must be accurately followed by all group members. If instructions appear unclear or ambiguous, the leader should be asked to clarify them to avoid misunderstanding. In the event of an emergency situation, this can literally be the difference between a mishap and a life-threatening situation.
4. For everybody's safety, the group MUST STAY TOGETHER - 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
5. 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.
6. River crossings and other hazards must be navigated as a group, under the direct supervision of the leader.
7. 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.
8. Any medical conditions, effects of necessary medication or considerations should be discussed with the leader, in advance, prior to booking a hike.
9. Hikers younger than 13 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult, preferably a parent or guardian. A parent or guardian must give permission for participants younger than 18 years old to join club events if they plan to do so without them present.
10. I give the club permission to use my contact information and that provided for my next of kin for communications pertaining to the activities of the Mountain BackpackersThis includes but is not limited to phone numbers, addresses (physical and virtual), social media, communication groups, in line with the POPI Act.
11. 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.
12. The Mountain Backpackers’ Club may use my image in photographs taken at club events for club-related posts.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Pets are not permitted on hikes
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. The peace of the natural environment is a major attraction for many hikers, it is requested that telephone conversations are conducted in a considerate manner. No loud noise, games, music or online videos are appropriate on a hike.
19. The use of drones is prohibited in EKZNW wilderness areas. This is endorsed by the club and is extended to all club hikes for various safety, wildlife and environmental reasons.
20. For your safety, no equipment that may inhibit your ability to see, hear or smell potential hazards around you are permitted. No earphones.
21. Excessive consumption of any substance that may compromise any form of safety, personal or of others, or any other aspects of this code of conduct will not be tolerated.
22. Members must treat personal and private property of fellow hikers, members of the public and landowners with respect. Any damage must be reported immediately with a personally arranged reparation plan.
23. Everyone's personal space must be respected. Members are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, considerate manner towards fellow hikers in terms of their person, their privacy, 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 offender.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. Smoking and vaping must be done away from and downwind of the group and NO cigarette butts or debris may be left behind. Please consider all smoking equipment as a potential fire hazard. Runaway fires, especially when weather is dry, can be devastating.
27. 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.
28. Cooked leftovers should preferably be taken home for use or disposal.
29. 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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