Yes I think that's a good idea, sometimes I see a walk and I'm not sure if I could do it. I then check it out on another web site to see what its like.

It's a good idea but who is the person that can tell what is a hard walk from an easy walk? :~ I often sign up for walks without looking too deeply into it. If there are a couple of people doing it that will keep my pace then I'll do it because even if it's hard it helps to push my boundaries. I am always conscious that there are much faster walkers than me and I worry about holding them up too much but if I hesitated then I probably wouldn't do any walks :~ dilemmas, dilemmas

That's the difficult part about what is one person's capabilities to someone else's. This was just a rough guide for new walkers really and people who don't know the area.
It's not about speed as we all have our own pace, but I'm thinking more about the gradients of the hills, scrambling, and climbing that a new member wouldn't be prepared for. Claudette you have always got there regardless of any walk or climb you have done. 😀😀

we all walk at different speeds and stamina levels.As atated many times,whatever the walk, we begin and end together.No one repeat No one is left behind.Whoever is leading, must be mindful of anyone really struggling and modify the walk accordingly,but not make a point of it🙂

Think it's important to state the distance and if goining to be a tough scramble or climb. Think most people do this.
As Landranger says, no one ever gets left behind and that includes CW when she dives into the nearest pub mid walk.🙂

This is always going to be a difficult question and you don't want to put off newcomers. In most cases there's more than one way up a hill so if the groups are big enough why not consider a split with two walk leaders and a meet at the summit? If the organiser points out anything particularly difficult, walkers can then make a decision based on that🙂🙂

Great to have an idea of gradients and distances just so we know what to expect. I know what you mean TMIW - but to put a different spin on it, I think i am more likely to do a harder walk when i know there are going to be more experienced/fitter walkers to help and encourage me, so it's good to take up some challenges on the Invitations that I'd never attempt on my own. And generally I think we're all capable of much more than we think we are (I know that's definitely true for me) if we just go for it!!!

Having said that, my friend told me the Fox Path up Cader Idris was easy. 3 hours later when i was clinging to a vertical scree slope sobbing in terror and peering through the fog to see if I could see my feet, he had to concede that perhaps we should have chosen a different route. Funny, haven't seen much of him since........😀😀

You're right Jo, gradients of hills (up or down), scrambles and sheer drops should be posted when mentioning the walk as these seem to be the most daunting part of any walk for beginners. Also distance as Johnwalking says. The one thing that newbies should do is contact the walk leader personally so they can put you at ease as to what they have in mind. As they say "it's good to talk"!!! 😀
Lady Eliza I do that too 🙂 I don't read maps so if I'm concerned I try and look up information about the walk or area.
Everyone is wonderful on here I have never been left behind and the guys have cajoled and babysat me through all the rough bits I have encountered and I'm still and enjoying it.

As a newbie who has yet to attend first meet, I am doing the Cotswold walk with UltraDC next weekend though. Its a bit daunting cos you dont want to overstretch yourself but want to extend yourself too & enjoy the challenges. It would be good to know at a glance the level of walk, one of my books gives just a level of Easy, Moderate or Challenging depending on distance & gradient. But I also research the routes & areas too 🙂

I can see the benefits but no! I see 'Invitations' as just that - an invitation to join someone for a walk. If the person posts a description of the walk, including the distance and expected timings and mentions any potential difficulties, that should be sufficient. It is up to the individual to research and if necessary ask questions, then make a judgement on whether to join based on their own ability/fitness/aspirations. This raises other questions of course
- How much responsibility should the person posting an invitation have (we've had a thread about this recently)
- Are the groups getting too big?

What is lovely about this site is that anyone can post a walk - mountain leaders looking to gain experience, someone who knows a walk well and wants to share it or someone who is visiting a new area and would like some company/guidance. At the other end of the scale an inexperienced walker/climber/biker who'd like to get started could post an invite and ask for someone with map reading or other skills to help them and they would be likely to get lots of encouragement and offers of help. Having to grade a walk might spoil that but on the other hand if people want to grade their walks, set limits on numbers or specify their preferred pace, they should feel free to do that.

Its certainly a good idea when posting an invitation for walking to explain if theres any scrambles, drops, steep ascents/descents etc as I've just done exactly that for a Lake District Weekend in April I have recently posted.
I think also anyone posting a walk should know it well as theres nothing like doing a walk you have never done before and come across a drop or an impossible obstruction. Had only one of those situations once where I came to a drop although I could climb down easily I had a dog with me at the time and had to carry her down with me which wasn't easy.😋

I'm sure this debate will run on and on but as more new members (including myself) join the ranks, the more are likely to join a days walk. If the organiser makes their intentions of pace clear from the start then alternate plans (either fast or slow) can be considered from the outset.

What we must avoid is walk leaders disappearing off into the distance with no regard for those at the rear as this just becomes dangerous🙂🙂

Grade the walks no, I think its up to each individual to do a little research before they sign up to it and the organiser need to post a brief description. But I do believe if the group consists of fast and slower walkers the group should split and meet up later

Being in an organised group is always beneficial in case of difficulties/emergencies. I was with a group traversing Cnicht yesterday, and although it was only 7 miles or so, the conditions were a lot worse than when the recce was done the week before.
The snow on the tops and the rocks made it more difficult for a few people who were probably not expecting it, but no one was going to be left behind.

I think things are going beyond Jo's initial question.

Groups are getting bigger and there is a vast difference in fitness and experience.

When we have small groups its easier to keep an eye on everyone.....but as we found out in Brecon with larger groups people can be lost in the crowd.

I think we all have an obligation to our own and others safety.......

if walks are graded then people can make an informed decision if the walk is going to be to tough for them.

And organizers should be able to say to people that in there opinion a certain walk is beyond the comfort zone of that person. And would put to much pressure on the other members of the group.

I think there is an obligation on the leader to set out the details of the walk, how many people that leader /organiser can manage and an obligation on the walker to check out details of the walk and decide for themselves if it is suitable for them.

Anyone contemplating a walk would be well advised to acquaint themselves in the use of a map and compass. Should they end up alone for any reason, maybe having to go for help, this skill could be a life saver. It would also enable them to decide on the grade of the walk and wether it is within their capabilities

All things weighed up I think it would be helpful if the organiser said if there were potential problems on their invite and definitely listed the mileage but this isn't an official walking site with paid organised walks. I still think it's the responsibility of the person hoping to join the walk to find out enough information and ask relevant (to them) questions of the organiser to assist them in making a decision about joining the walk or not. If the organiser doesn't know you how can they assess whether you are able to do it or not? Of course we all like to help and encourage newbies (I wouldn't have done as much as I have without encouragement and support) but lets remember to be

Sorry about that - remember to be practical and safe and really enjoy the outing 🙂

interesting

In what way Mitchemit?

I think its very important to support people who have not been as active in the past.

But its also as important that everyone can just relax and walk at their natural pace, have a natter and a giggle free of any concerns.

Its how we achieve this balance that is the difficult problem.....

We've managed to up to now Davem but I'm not sure we should put that secret into the public domain - do you?!!! 😋:~😈😈😈

You could use cake symbols instead to indicate how many cake stops we will require! 😉

Did someone mention cake, no stopping me now🙂 move out my way😋

So, on the easter walk of mine,you"re suggesting my first walk is low level easy going,so thats a lemon drizzle.If I chose a hard route, does that become a "rock cake"...poor old Ruth😋 would be "cake bound " 🙂

Ok Mg you got me I love you and your cake🙂

I meant one cake stop, two or three not the type of cake soft or hard 🙂