Backpacking Activity Group Policy

Wisconsin Hoofer Outing Club

revised July 1994

1. This policy has been established in a manner outlined in Section 2.10 of the Outing Club Bylaws on 5 July 1994, and presented to the Executive Board on 2 August 1994. This Policy may be amended by the Backpacking Activity Group, and will become binding upon presentation to the Executive Board.
2. All rules set by Park Service, or by any owners of any land that the trip members will use for backpacking purposes shall be obeyed.
3. Reasonable familiarity with terrain encountered by Trip Leaders or their designées is needed on any Outing Club backpacking trip.
4. First Aid kit devoted specifically to backpacking needs to be carried on any overnight backpacking trip. the group must have at least one first aid kit per six people.
5. Adequate gear and clothing for all trip participants is needed on all trips. The trip leaders are responsible to make sure (sic) that every participant is well equipped, especially during winter excursions. This may be done by informing the participants of trip conditions, gear lists, etc.; by inspection of gear; and if necessary by denying members participation on the trip. This is not only for safety and comfort of participant (sic) who may not have all the gear, but also for the safety and comfort of all of the trip participants.
6. Contact with animals that may be seriously detrimental to the well-being of the animal, of the trip participants or to their gear, need to be avoided. Storage of food, cooking, eating and cleaning dishes should be done in an appropriate manner to the fauna of the area.
7. Water purification either by iodine tablets or by appropriate filtration needs to be utilized in all areas where potable water is not available.