Day Hikes

We host loads of day trips that typically cost around £10 to cover the cost of a coach.

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Residential Trips

Our residential trips include lots of weekends away hiking where we stay in bunkhouses. Every Easter we also have a week-long trip to Scotland.

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Socials

Hiking Club isn't just for hiking, we have loads of fun socials, from Thursday Pub Club where we visit different pubs in Loughborough each week, to BBQs, camping and frisbee!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kit do I need?

Essential

• Hiking boots - This cannot be stressed bly enough. Without hiking boots, you will not be able to come on trips. Function is more important than fashion. Choose something comfortable and dry, with good ankle support. You can pick up a pair from GO Outdoors on Bishop Meadow Road for £30-40.
• Socks - An obvious one, but good quality socks can help to stop blisters. Spares often come in handy.
• Rucksack - Choose one an appropriate size. It will have to carry everything, and will be on your back all day!
• Waterproof coat (and trousers, ideally) - Trips will be run between October and May in Britain. Rain is a near certainty!
• Warm layer(s) - Such as a fleece. See above, it will occasionally get cold!
• Suitable trousers - Wear something that will dry quickly - Jeans are NOT allowed.
• Water - At least 2 litres is recommended for personal use.
• Lunch - Keep your energy up, as we won't be able to pick anything up on the way.
• Warm hat and gloves - Lots of heat is lost through hands and head. Try to avoid this.
• Shoes (and socks) - in a separate plastic bag to wear for the journey to keep cars and coaches clean

Additionally, the following are needed for weekend trips ;

• Clothes - to wear at the bunkhouse.
• Sleeping Bag - in most cases sheets won't be provided. Even if they are, we'd suggest bringing a sleeping bag!
• Toiletries and Towel - we sincerely hope no explanation is required here...

On weekend trips all food is provided, other than on the evening that we travel, so please remember to eat before we leave Loughborough for weekend trips!

All other equipment such as maps, compasses, torches, first-aid kits, emergency whistles etc are provided by the club. However you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.

Optional / Seasonal

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list. There are many other items that may be beneficial to you on a trip depending on the conditions on the day, and depending on your personal preferences. Some examples are; Balaclava, sunglasses (we can dream, right?), thin extra pair of gloves, gaiters, dry bag for electronics, raincover for rucksack, penknife, flask of hot drink, walking pole(s)

 

I'm a novice hiker, what trips should I go on?

Don't worry about it being too hard, all of our trips will offer hikes to suit all abilities whether you are new to hiking or an experienced mountaineer.

Easiest: Broadly flat terrain, with virtually no exposure. Suitable for any hiker.
Moderate: Routes involve some hills, with a little incline and exposure. Suitable for most hikers.
Intermediate: Routes involve a mix of mountainous terrain and hills. These hikes have significant incline and exposure, suitable for hikers with moderate experience.
Difficult: These hikes involve mountainous terrain, requiring climbing and scrambling. Suitable for hikers confident in their ability.
Hardcore: Hikes of this level are designed with experienced and dedicated hikers in mind. Entirely mountainous, with one hard climb, and significant climbing and scrambling. Only the most courageous of hikers should brave these hikes.

 

The trip/social I wanted is fully booked?

We operate a waiting list for all events if they get booked up. Let us know you want to go, and we'll try to sort something out. If we can, we'll get extra transport, or if someone else cancels you can take their place.

What transport do you use?

On day trips we usually use coaches. For weekend trips, the club has a small group of volunteer drivers to drive for the club. If you do have your own car, and could drive it for us, speak to a committee member or look at further information below.

How do I become a club driver?

Should I buy Standard or Associate Membership?

Most likely a standard membership. Standard membership is for current and former students. Associate membership is for people who have never studied at Loughborough, and does not allow you to vote in society elections or run for committee.

How do I exercise my rights to my personal information under the GDPR?

Contact the webmaster with your request.

What if I have to drop out of a trip? Do you offer refunds?

I have not participated in any club activities. Do you offer membership refunds?

Societies memberships are handled by LSU. You must contact them for a membership refund. We can inform them that you have not participated in the society. However, be aware that they have typically not accepted to such requests.

Can I join later in the year?

Yes, you can join at any time. Our final booking evening of the year is held after spring break, so if you join past this time you may not be able to go on any trips.

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Committee

Treasurer: Ben Garratley

Secretary: Tom Fowler

Webmaster: Jeremy Akhavi

Trip Secretary: Frannie Stephens and Ollie Lee

Responsible for: Booking bunkbarns, recruiting drivers and planning routes.

Kit Secretary: Alessandro Soli

Publicity: Anderida Artemisia

Social Secretary: Freddie Holmes

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Code of conduct

This Code of Conduct has been produced by the committee of LSU Hiking Club to let members know what the aims and objectives of the club/society are and to make everyone aware of the various operating policies we must all adhere to.

LSUHC helps you meet new people, visit new places, see amazing sights and have fun! Offering day and weekend trips throughout the year covering the UK. Also providing regular social events so members can get to know each other; recently including bowling, paintballing and nights at the Union.

LSU Hiking Club operates in accordance with all governing LSU documents; this includes Schedule 16 of the Union Constitution and the Club and Society Operating Policy. Also LSUHC specific documents; Cancellation Policy and the Refunds Policy.

As a member of an LSU club every individual is responsible for general health and safety issues and must not act in a way that involves risk of injury or harm to themselves or others. Anyone who does so will be subject to the LSU discipline policy and risk losing their membership.

Insurance

LSU has insurance for all affiliated societies, which is why all members have to buy Societies insurance cover before they can join a club. Anyone who is not a member won't be covered by this insurance if they take part in a club activity/event. A one-off payment of £5 is required to obtain insurance, regardless of how many societies you subsequently join.

A limited number of non-members may attend some club trips, though they may not book a place until after the booking evening has taken place. Non-members wishing to attend will pay a premium of 25% of the trip cost or £5, whichever is greater, to reflect the fact that membership fees subsidise trip costs and pay for club kit, which is used by all trip attendees. A non-member disclaimer form must also be obtained from the club and sent to the student union office no less than 14 days prior to the commencement of any event.

Important note: Persons under 16 years of age are not covered by LSU insurance and may not attend any official club event. Persons under 18 years of age may attend single day events (subject to consent from a parent/guardian), but may not attend any trips involving an overnight stay.

LSUHC appreciate that hiking involves an element of risk, which the participant should be aware of. Whilst not pretending to be an instructional body, the club is able to offer advice and guidance to members on any aspect of safety and basic techniques. Specific risks relating to particular events will be set out in risk assessment forms, which must be signed by all attendees prior to commencing a trip.

Health and Safety

1. Serious accidents or incidents must be reported immediately. All minor accidents or near misses must be reported to LSU, via the Student Resource Administrator, within 48 hours of occurrence. In the first instance, the incident must be reported by email to alisonjohnston@lsu.co.uk
2. If a member feels an activity is unsafe they should first talk to a committee member, and if they feel it necessary should then report it to LSU via the Student Resource Administrator as soon as is practical.
3. Members must advise a committee member of any medical condition that may affect their own or others' safety/wellbeing. This information will be kept in confidence, as all committee members have signed the LSU Data Protection Policy.

Facilities/Equipment

1. Members must follow the instructions of the driver when travelling to/from a club event/activity. This applies equally to coaches, minibuses and private vehicles.
2. The committee are responsible for ensuring facilities used are suitable for the purpose, safe and fully insured. They must ensure members know all fire exits and who to contact in the event of a medical or other emergency.
3. Any equipment used for a club activity must be safe and fit for purpose and a minimum of two committee members must check this. Electrical equipment must have a current. Portable Appliance Test sticker from either an LSU electrician or an LSU approved electrician e.g. University electrician.
4. Members must not cause damage to facilities or equipment belonging to third parties. If they do, they may be personally liable to pay for repairs.
5. When preparing food for group consumption, basic hygiene rules should be observed. e.g. wash hands and handle raw meat separately. Cooking will be supervised by committee members with a valid and appropriate food hygiene qualification.

Transport

1. Members must follow the instructions of the driver when travelling to/from a club event/activity. This applies equally to coaches, minibuses and private vehicles.
2. No alcohol can be drunk by anyone whilst in a minibus or private vehicle.
3. Members are also responsible for their own personal safety when travelling to and from events organised by the club or society.
4. Members may, on occasion, be required to take public transport to attend a trip. In this instance, a ticket will be purchased for the member and will remain their responsibility throughout the event. The member will also be required to present any necessary railcard or other documentation supporting documentation. If the ticket is lost, the member will be responsible for arranging a replacement. In the alternative, the member may return the ticket to a committee member for safekeeping.

Walk Leaders

1. The walk leader should be competent in navigation techniques and preferably in basic first aid. Each walking group will contain at least one first aider.
2. The walk leader should ensure that between them the group has the following:
   • first aid kit
   • compasses (at least two per group)
   • maps of area to be walked in (at least two per group)
   • torch(es)
   • emergency rations
   • survival shelters/bags (dependent on conditions)
3. Where reasonably practicable, the weather forecast will be obtained on the day of the walk. Should this not be practical, the most up to date forecast available will be used.
4. All people intending to participate on the walk should be advised on the appropriate equipment required for the anticipated weather conditions and style of walk ahead of the trip.
5. All walk leaders should be aware of the route to be taken by all of other groups on the trip, including an estimated time of return. In the event that there is only one group, a committee member in Loughborough should be aware of these details. Walk leaders will report to the appropriate contact on completion of the walk or with details of significant delays.
6. Every group should have at least two people competent with map and compass, and are aware of the route to be followed. The pace should be determined by the slowest walker in the group to minimise the risk of separation. The group leader should be aware of the competency of each of the group members.
7. If a group consists of ten or more people, experienced walkers with a map and compass should be positioned at the front and rear of the group to ensure that should the group become separated, the two groups are able to safely navigate to safety.
8. In the event of an accident at least one group member should stay with the casualty and at least two group members should go for help. Information required by the emergency services will be number of casualty, nature of injuries, grid reference, locally identifiable points and time of accident. For this reason, the minimum group size for any walk is four persons.
9. When walking in winter conditions, the walk leader should be experienced in walking in these conditions.
10. Areas of ice should be avoided unless all group members are equipped with appropriate equipment and they are experienced in usage. Where 'steps' can be kicked into the ice this rule can be disregarded at the walk leaders' discretion where it is safe to do so.
11. Areas where a foreseeable risk of avalanche exists are to be avoided at all times.
12. At all times, the walk leader’s decision is final.
13. Non-members may not lead the walks, though they may be utilised as a navigator if the leader deems it appropriate.

Home Contact

1. A home contact will be appointed for all trips. This will be a member of the committee who is not in attendance, or an appropriate contact at the student union office.
2. The home contact should have the telephone numbers of all members on the trip (where this information has been provided to the club), and where appropriate, the contact details of the accommodation used.
3. All route leaders should have the telephone number of the home contact at all times.

Members

1. The group leaders' instructions concerning safety and conduct should be followed at all times.
2. Members must always wear suitable clothing for the weather conditions:
   • Waterproof jacket (waterproof trousers highly recommended)
   • Warm jumper and/or jacket
   • Walking trousers (not jeans/denim)
   • Walking boots and Socks
   • Hat and gloves
   • Rucksack containing spare clothes, food and drink and any assigned group equipment
3. No member may attend a trip if they do not have appropriate kit as set out above, and in emails prior to the trip. If a member cannot attend the trip due to not having appropriate kit, they will not receive a refund for the trip cost.
4. A member may not attend any event lasting longer than 4 days unless they have previously attended a “normal” 2-3 day weekend trip, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Any such matters will be considered on a case by case basis.
5. Every member is to carry an emergency whistle on all walks. The international distress signal is a set of six long blasts repeated every minute. Whistles are to be loaned by the society if a member does not possess their own whistle.
6. All group members are responsible for bringing adequate water for personal use for the duration of the walk. Dehydration is a serious problem, especially during the summer.
7. All group members are urged to attend Hill Walking skills courses and First Aid courses as and when arranged by the club.
8. Any hazardous pursuits are undertaken entirely at the group members' own risk. A group members' actions must not endanger themselves or any other group member.
9. By joining the club members acknowledge that in the event of an emergency, members trained in first aid will administer first aid within the level of their qualifications if the member is unable to provide such consent.