Bring the 10 Essentials. This is the standard checklist for backcountry travel in BC, covering navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first aid, fire, repair tools, nutrition, hydration, and emergency shelter. North Shore Rescue maintains this list.

On top of the 10 Essentials, bring whatever the specific event requires. Each Meetup listing describes the route, distance, elevation gain, expected pace, and gear needs. Read it carefully before signing up. Mountain weather changes fast on the North Shore, so dress for the day you might end up with, not just the day you're starting.

You're responsible for arriving prepared. Leaders may turn back anyone who is unprepared or unfit for the conditions. If you're unsure whether your gear or fitness is right for a particular trip, message the leader on Meetup before you RSVP.

Every event is graded clearly so you can pick the right fit. The Meetup listing describes the route, distance, elevation gain, pace, gear, and meeting time. Read it carefully before you RSVP. Message the leader if anything is unclear.

Groups are small — typically 8–15 participants — and the pace is steady. Leaders watch the conditions and look out for the group. They follow Leave No Trace habits. Participants are expected to stay with the group unless directed otherwise.

Show up on time and prepared. Arrive early at the meeting location to find parking,  locate the group and sign the waiver. Bring the 10 Essentials and any gear the MeetUp listing calls for.

Many events involve a carpool to the trailhead. Reimburse the driver. The general guide is $0.60 per kilometre, divided by the number of people in the vehicle. Drivers have the final say on what's reasonable.

Events range from relaxed and social to long, steep, and demanding. The Meetup listing is the source of truth for each one. Pace, difficulty, and expectations vary by leader, route, and conditions.

Participants are responsible for choosing activities that match their fitness, experience, and equipment. Bring the required gear, follow the trip leader’s instructions, and be prepared for changing weather, terrain, and group conditions.

Can a trip leader refuse or turn someone back?

Yes, a trip leader may refuse participation or ask someone to turn back if they are not prepared, properly equipped, or fit for the activity. This helps protect the participant and the group when conditions, pace, or terrain create added risk.

Risks and Hazards

Outdoor activities can involve hazards and risk of injury. Persons who participate in North Shore Hikers activities do so at their own risk. In the event of accident or injury, the North Shore Hikers, its members or directors, cannot be held liable per the Waiver signed by each trip participant. Each member is responsible for his/her own health and safety.

Persons who need search/rescue services may have to pay the cost.

North Shore Hikers leaders are volunteer members of the club, not paid guides.

Many have led trips for the club for decades, drawing on years of experience in the local mountains, and the club itself has been running outdoor trips on the North Shore since 1958. Learn more

Some leaders also hold first aid or wilderness first aid certifications they've earned on their own. They give their time freely so others can hike, cycle, and explore safely.

Your membership dues help support them. A portion of every membership goes toward personal liability insurance for our leaders, so they're protected while leading the trips you join.

Dues also help cover leader training, event logistics, and the tools that keep the club running.  Support them with your paid membership.

North Shore Hikers limits group size to protect the experience for everyone. Smaller groups have less impact on the environment. They also have less impact on other hikers and trail users.

On narrow trails, large groups create real problems. They block the trail for hikers trying to pass. They make it harder for everyone to enjoy the quiet of the outdoors. Smaller groups move more easily and share the trail better.

Parking is also a limit. Many North Shore trailheads have small parking lots that fill up early. A group of 30 vehicles can take up the entire lot and leave nothing for other visitors.

A smaller group lets the leader do their job. They can keep the pace steady, watch the conditions, and look out for everyone. In an emergency, a smaller group is easier to keep together and account for.

Most trips run with 8–15 participants. The exact limit is set by the trip leader based on the route, conditions, and trailhead parking.

Because spaces are limited, RSVP only when you plan to attend. Cancel as soon as possible if your plans change. That way another participant can take the spot.

How to cancel your RSVP on Meetup:

1. Open the event on Meetup (web or app)
2. Find your RSVP status near the top of the event page (it will say "Going")
3. Tap or click Going and select Not going (or Change RSVP)
4. Confirm if prompted

Once you're on the Going or Attending list, you're in. No further confirmation is needed.

Read the Meetup listing one more time before the event. Confirm the meeting location, time, route, gear, and any updates from the leader. Listings sometimes get edited if conditions change.

Arrive 10 minutes early at the meeting location. Bring the 10 Essentials and any gear the listing calls for. You'll sign a waiver at the trailhead before the event begins.

Some events fill up and have a waitlist. If you RSVP after the event is full, you'll be added to the waitlist. You are not signed up for the event yet.

Wait until the leader moves you to the Going list. Meetup will notify you when a spot opens up. Don't show up at the trailhead until that happens — the leader isn't expecting you, and you may be turned away.

If your plans change, cancel your RSVP as soon as you can. Group spaces are limited. Canceling early lets a waitlisted participant take the spot.

No-shows are noted. If you regularly fail to show up after RSVPing, leaders may move you to the bottom of the waitlist on future events. Group spaces are limited, and paid members and participants who reliably show up get priority.

If you have questions before the event, message the leader on Meetup. Don't wait until the morning of the trip.

Make sure your Meetup notifications are turned on. Leaders sometimes post last-minute updates — a weather call, a meeting location change, or a route adjustment — and you'll want those to reach your inbox.

In your Meetup account, go to Settings, then Email Updates, and turn on notifications for the North Shore Hikers group (scroll way down the page). Pay particular attention to event announcements, comments on events you've RSVP'd to, and direct messages from organizers.

No to both. The policy applies to all events — hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, and backpacking.

Dogs. Dogs are not covered by our FMCBC insurance. Any dog-related incident is the responsibility of the dog owner and their homeowner’s
or tenant’s insurance.

Group sizes are already limited, and adding dogs creates extra logistics on narrow trails, at viewpoints, and during breaks. Some participants are also allergic to or uncomfortable around dogs. If you'd like to hike with your dog, the North Shore has many dog-friendly trails — look for trails that allow dogs on leash through Metro Vancouver Regional Parks or the District of North Vancouver.

Drones. Drones are illegal to operate without a permit in BC Provincial Parks, all Parks Canada national parks, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, and most municipal parks in the region. That covers nearly every trailhead the club uses, including Cypress, Grouse, Seymour, Garibaldi, and Howe Sound Crest. Drones also create noise, distract from the trail, stress wildlife, raise privacy concerns, and have interfered with search and rescue operations. If you want to fly a drone in BC, see the BC Parks drone information page for where flights are permitted.