HIKEUNITY SAFETY & OUTDOOR ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

Effective Date: September 27, 2026

Last Updated: September 27, 2026

HikeUnity helps people discover outdoor routes, connect with other users, and organize or participate in outdoor Activities.

Outdoor recreation can involve serious and unpredictable risks.

These Safety & Outdoor Activity Guidelines (“Safety Guidelines”) are intended to help users make informed decisions and reduce avoidable risks.

They do not eliminate the risks inherent in outdoor activities and are not a substitute for professional instruction, local regulations, emergency services, medical advice, appropriate equipment, or personal judgment.

These Safety Guidelines form part of the HikeUnity Terms of Service.

1. OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES INVOLVE SERIOUS RISKS

Hiking, trekking, backpacking, climbing-related travel, camping, snow travel, water crossings, wilderness travel, and other outdoor activities may expose participants to hazards including:

• falls;
• cliffs and steep terrain;
• loose or unstable surfaces;
• falling rocks;
• avalanches;
• snow and ice;
• extreme heat or cold;
• storms and lightning;
• flooding;
• rapidly changing weather;
• strong currents;
• drowning;
• wildlife;
• insects;
• poisonous plants;
• altitude;
• dehydration;
• exhaustion;
• illness;
• equipment failure;
• navigation errors;
• becoming lost;
• darkness;
• road traffic;
• remoteness;
• lack of cellular service;
• delayed emergency assistance;
• actions or omissions of other participants or Organizers;
• serious injury;
• permanent disability; and
• death.

No outdoor Activity can be made completely risk-free.

2. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DECIDING WHETHER TO PARTICIPATE

Participation in an Activity is voluntary.

Before participating, evaluate whether the Activity is appropriate for you.

Consider:

• your experience;
• physical condition;
• skill level;
• distance;
• elevation gain and loss;
• altitude;
• terrain;
• expected pace;
• duration;
• weather;
• equipment requirements;
• remoteness;
• transportation;
• available water;
• daylight;
• emergency access; and
• other relevant conditions.

Do not participate merely because another person says an Activity is appropriate for you.

If an Activity exceeds your abilities or comfort level, do not participate or turn back when it is reasonably safe to do so.

3. DIFFICULTY RATINGS ARE ESTIMATES

Difficulty descriptions such as:

• Easy;
• Moderate;
• Hard; or
• Expert

are general estimates.

They are not guarantees.

The same route may be easy for one person and dangerous for another.

Weather, snow, ice, heat, altitude, trail damage, water levels, darkness, equipment, fitness, experience, and other factors can dramatically change difficulty.

Always make your own assessment.

4. CHECK CURRENT CONDITIONS

Information displayed on HikeUnity may not reflect current conditions.

Before an Activity, users should independently check relevant sources for:

• weather forecasts;
• severe weather alerts;
• trail closures;
• wildfire conditions;
• snow and avalanche conditions where applicable;
• water levels;
• tide conditions where applicable;
• road closures;
• park alerts;
• permit requirements;
• land-access restrictions;
• wildlife advisories; and
• other local hazards.

Conditions can change after an Activity begins.

Be prepared to modify or abandon plans.

5. TURNING BACK IS A SAFETY DECISION

Completing a route is never more important than safety.

An Organizer or Participant should consider changing or ending an Activity if conditions become unsafe.

Reasons may include:

• severe weather;
• dangerous water levels;
• wildfire;
• avalanche risk;
• injury;
• illness;
• exhaustion;
• inadequate equipment;
• loss of daylight;
• route uncertainty;
• unexpected closures; or
• another material safety concern.

Turning back is not a failure.

6. BRING APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT

Equipment needs depend on the Activity.

Users should determine what is appropriate for the particular route, environment, season, and duration.

For many outdoor Activities, users should consider carrying essential equipment such as:

• navigation tools;
• appropriate footwear;
• water;
• food;
• weather-appropriate clothing;
• extra layers;
• sun protection;
• illumination or headlamp;
• first-aid supplies;
• emergency shelter;
• emergency communication equipment where appropriate;
• necessary medication; and
• equipment specific to the Activity.

Do not assume another participant or Organizer will provide equipment for you unless that is expressly stated.

7. DO NOT RELY ONLY ON YOUR PHONE OR HIKEUNITY

Mobile devices can:

• lose power;
• break;
• become wet;
• lose GPS accuracy;
• lose cellular coverage; or
• malfunction.

HikeUnity can also experience interruptions or technical errors.

Do not rely on HikeUnity or your mobile phone as your sole means of navigation, communication, or emergency preparation.

Where appropriate, carry backup navigation and emergency resources suitable for the Activity.

8. GPS AND MAP INFORMATION MAY BE WRONG

GPS tracks, maps, elevation data, trail descriptions, distances, estimated times, difficulty ratings, waypoints, and other information may be inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, or unavailable.

A displayed route may cross:

• closed trails;
• private property;
• dangerous terrain;
• damaged trails;
• seasonal closures; or
• areas requiring permits.

The appearance of a route on HikeUnity does not establish a legal right of access.

Always observe signs, closures, local regulations, and current conditions.

9. SHARE YOUR PLAN WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST

For remote, solo, long, difficult, or otherwise higher-risk Activities, consider telling a trusted person who is not participating:

• where you are going;
• your planned route;
• who you are going with;
• when you expect to return; and
• what they should do if you do not return or check in.

If your plans materially change and communication is available, update that person.

10. MEETING PEOPLE FROM THE INTERNET INVOLVES ADDITIONAL RISK

HikeUnity helps users connect with people they may not previously know.

Identity verification can reduce certain forms of identity fraud but does not eliminate interpersonal risk.

Before meeting another user, consider:

• reviewing their profile;
• reviewing ratings and participation history where available;
• communicating before the Activity;
• asking questions about the plan;
• telling a trusted person where you are going;
• arranging your own transportation when appropriate;
• meeting initially in a public place;
• avoiding unnecessary disclosure of your home address; and
• leaving if you feel unsafe.

Trust your own judgment.

You are never required to remain in an Activity or interaction because you previously agreed to participate.

11. IDENTITY VERIFIED DOES NOT MEAN SAFE

An Identity Verified badge means only that the applicable identity-verification process was successfully completed.

It is not:

• a criminal background check;
• a professional background check;
• a guide-license verification;
• an insurance verification;
• a safety certification;
• a medical qualification;
• a guarantee of character;
• a guarantee of competence; or
• an endorsement by HikeUnity.

Do not rely on an Identity Verified badge as your sole basis for deciding whether to meet or participate with another user.

12. ORGANIZERS ARE NOT NECESSARILY PROFESSIONAL GUIDES

A person creating an Activity on HikeUnity may simply be another community member looking for hiking companions.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, HikeUnity does not represent that an Organizer is:

• a professional guide;
• licensed;
• certified;
• insured;
• medically trained;
• trained in wilderness rescue; or
• professionally qualified to lead outdoor activities.

For Paid Activities, the Organizer is responsible for determining and complying with any licenses, permits, certifications, insurance, commercial-use authorizations, or other requirements applicable to the Activity.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, HikeUnity does not independently verify those professional qualifications or legal authorizations.

13. PAID DOES NOT MEAN SAFER

Paying for an Activity does not guarantee that:

• the Activity is safe;
• the Organizer is professionally trained;
• the Organizer holds a particular license;
• the Organizer has insurance;
• rescue services will be available;
• the route information is accurate; or
• an accident will not occur.

Participants should evaluate Paid Activities using the same careful judgment they would use for other outdoor Activities.

14. ORGANIZER SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizers should make reasonable efforts to provide accurate material information about the Activity.

This includes, where relevant:

• expected route;
• distance;
• elevation;
• difficulty;
• expected pace;
• duration;
• known equipment requirements;
• meeting location;
• significant known hazards;
• expected conditions;
• water availability;
• transportation arrangements;
• required permits; and
• material changes to the plan.

Organizers should not knowingly pressure participants to continue when a serious safety concern reasonably calls for stopping, changing the plan, or turning back.

Nothing in these Guidelines makes an Organizer an employee, agent, or representative of HikeUnity.

15. PARTICIPANTS REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES

An Organizer's role does not eliminate a Participant's responsibility to make personal safety decisions.

Participants remain responsible for:

• deciding whether to join;
• bringing appropriate equipment;
• honestly evaluating their abilities;
• monitoring their own condition;
• following applicable laws;
• communicating relevant concerns;
• deciding whether to continue; and
• seeking emergency assistance when necessary.

16. HEALTH AND PHYSICAL CONDITION

Outdoor activities may involve significant physical exertion.

Consider your own physical condition before participating.

If you have questions about whether a health condition, medication, pregnancy, injury, altitude, temperature, exertion, or another factor affects your ability to participate, seek appropriate medical advice before the Activity.

HikeUnity does not provide medical advice.

You are not required to disclose private medical information publicly.

However, where relevant to your safety, you may choose to privately inform an appropriate person about information that could matter in an emergency.

17. MEDICATIONS

If you require medication, consider bringing an appropriate supply for the Activity, including reasonable preparation for unexpected delays.

Do not assume another Participant or Organizer will carry medication that you require.

Follow medical instructions applicable to your medication.

18. WATER AND FOOD

Bring sufficient water and food appropriate for the Activity and conditions.

Do not assume that natural water sources are safe to drink.

Water sources may:

• be unavailable;
• be seasonal;
• be contaminated;
• freeze;
• dry up; or
• differ from route descriptions.

Where necessary, carry appropriate water-treatment equipment and understand how to use it.

19. WEATHER

Weather can change rapidly.

Check forecasts before departure and continue observing conditions during an Activity.

Extreme heat, cold, lightning, storms, snow, ice, flooding, wind, and other conditions may make an otherwise ordinary route dangerous.

An Activity should be changed, postponed, or cancelled where conditions create unacceptable risk.

20. HIGH ALTITUDE

High-altitude environments may cause altitude-related illness.

Previous experience at altitude does not guarantee that you will not experience problems during a future Activity.

Users should understand the risks relevant to the altitude they plan to reach and seek appropriate medical guidance when necessary.

Do not ignore serious symptoms.

21. WATER CROSSINGS

Water conditions can change quickly.

Streams and rivers may become significantly more dangerous because of:

• rainfall;
• snowmelt;
• tides;
• storms;
• current;
• water temperature; or
• changing terrain.

Do not attempt a crossing merely because a route displayed on HikeUnity indicates that someone crossed there previously.

If conditions appear unsafe, consider turning around or using a safer alternative.

22. SNOW, ICE AND AVALANCHE TERRAIN

Snow and ice can substantially change route difficulty and risk.

Travel in avalanche terrain may require specialized knowledge, training, equipment, current forecasts, and judgment.

A route appearing on HikeUnity does not mean snow or avalanche conditions are safe.

Users are responsible for obtaining appropriate current information and determining whether they possess the necessary skills and equipment.

23. WILDLIFE

Wild animals are unpredictable.

Learn about wildlife relevant to the area before beginning an Activity.

Follow local guidance concerning:

• safe viewing distance;
• food storage;
• bear-resistant containers where required;
• pets;
• animal encounters; and
• other wildlife precautions.

Do not approach or feed wildlife for photographs or social-media content.

24. FIRE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Check current restrictions before:

• lighting fires;
• using camp stoves;
• entering wildfire-affected areas; or
• camping.

Observe closures, fire bans, evacuation orders, and other official instructions.

Do not knowingly use HikeUnity to encourage users to violate environmental safety restrictions.

25. ROAD AND TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

Transportation to or from an Activity may involve separate risks.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, HikeUnity does not provide transportation.

If users arrange rides with one another, they are responsible for evaluating those arrangements.

A driver's presence on HikeUnity does not mean HikeUnity has verified:

• driver's license status;
• driving record;
• insurance;
• vehicle condition; or
• fitness to drive.

Seat belts and other legally required safety measures should be used.

Do not enter a vehicle if you reasonably believe the driver is impaired or the situation is unsafe.

26. ALCOHOL AND IMPAIRMENT

Alcohol, drugs, certain medications, and other substances may impair judgment, coordination, hydration, reaction time, and decision-making.

Do not pressure another participant to consume alcohol or another substance.

Do not participate in hazardous outdoor activities while impaired.

Users must comply with applicable law.

27. STAY WITH THE GROUP WHEN APPROPRIATE

For group Activities, participants should understand the Organizer's plan concerning:

• pace;
• regrouping;
• route changes;
• separation;
• turnaround time; and
• emergency procedures.

In remote or hazardous environments, separating from a group can increase risk.

However, no user should remain with a person or group when doing so reasonably appears to create a greater immediate safety threat.

28. PERSONAL BOUNDARIES DURING ACTIVITIES

Participation in an Activity does not give anyone permission to:

• touch another person without consent;
• demand romantic or sexual interaction;
• pressure someone to share accommodation;
• pressure someone to enter a vehicle;
• confiscate another person's phone or identification;
• prevent someone from leaving when reasonably possible; or
• control another participant through threats or intimidation.

Report serious misconduct through HikeUnity when safe to do so.

Contact authorities first where immediate danger exists.

29. SOLO ACTIVITIES

Solo hiking may involve additional risk because assistance may not be immediately available.

If hiking alone, consider additional precautions such as:

• sharing a trip plan;
• carrying backup navigation;
• carrying appropriate emergency communication equipment;
• knowing expected cellular coverage;
• setting a turnaround time; and
• preparing for unexpected delays.

The availability of HikeUnity does not make solo outdoor activity risk-free.

30. NIGHT ACTIVITIES

Activities taking place partly or entirely after dark may involve additional navigation, temperature, visibility, wildlife, and terrain risks.

Carry appropriate illumination and backup power.

Do not assume a phone flashlight alone will be sufficient.

31. EMERGENCIES

HikeUnity is not an emergency service.

If you or another person is in immediate danger, contact the appropriate local emergency service.

Depending on location, this may include:

• emergency medical services;
• police;
• fire services;
• park rangers;
• search and rescue; or
• another local emergency authority.

Do not rely on:

• HikeUnity messaging;
• a HikeUnity report;
• an Organizer;
• another Participant; or
• an in-app feature

as a substitute for contacting emergency services.

32. FUTURE SAFETY OR LOCATION-SHARING FEATURES

HikeUnity may introduce features such as:

• live location sharing;
• emergency contacts;
• check-ins;
• overdue alerts;
• safety notifications; or
• other safety-related functionality.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, such features are supplemental tools only.

They do not guarantee:

• continuous monitoring;
• delivery of an alert;
• cellular connectivity;
• GPS accuracy;
• receipt by another person;
• emergency dispatch;
• rescue; or
• prevention of injury or death.

Users should maintain independent emergency plans.

33. PROTECT YOUR HOME LOCATION

GPS tracks may reveal where you live or work.

Before publishing a route:

• review the start point;
• review the end point;
• check photographs for sensitive information; and
• consider whether the route reveals a private location.

Do not begin or end a publicly shared recording directly at your home, workplace, or another sensitive private location.

Where HikeUnity offers a location-hiding feature, consider using it.

34. PROTECT OTHER PEOPLE'S LOCATIONS

Do not intentionally publish another person's home address, private campsite, sensitive location, or other private location information without authorization.

Do not use HikeUnity GPS information to stalk, threaten, or harass another person.

35. CHECK-IN AFTER YOUR ACTIVITY

If you shared your trip plan with a trusted person, remember to tell them when you have safely completed the Activity.

Failure to check in may cause unnecessary concern or emergency response.

36. ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY INCIDENTS

If an accident occurs:

1. address immediate safety and emergency needs first;

2. contact appropriate emergency services where necessary;

3. follow instructions from qualified responders;

4. preserve relevant information if reasonably possible; and

5. report serious HikeUnity-related safety incidents to HikeUnity after immediate danger has been addressed.

You may report a safety incident through available in-app reporting tools or:

info@hikeunity.com

A report to HikeUnity does not replace an emergency call or official incident report.

37. REPORT DANGEROUSLY INACCURATE INFORMATION

If you discover that a HikeUnity route or Activity contains materially dangerous information, such as:

• a serious unmarked hazard;
• an incorrect route;
• a major closure;
• illegal access;
• a dangerous bridge or crossing;
• a material route change; or
• another significant safety problem,

please report it through the Platform where available.

HikeUnity may review, label, restrict, correct, or remove information where appropriate.

A report does not guarantee immediate review.

38. ORGANIZER CANCELLATION FOR SAFETY

An Organizer should be able to cancel or materially modify an Activity when conditions reasonably make the original plan unsafe.

Examples may include:

• severe weather;
• wildfire;
• flooding;
• avalanche conditions;
• trail closure;
• transportation disruption;
• government restrictions; or
• another significant safety issue.

Payment and refund consequences are governed by the applicable HikeUnity Payment & Refund Policy.

An Organizer should not continue an Activity solely to avoid issuing refunds when doing so would create an unreasonable safety risk.

39. NO SAFETY GUARANTEE BY HIKEUNITY

HikeUnity may provide safety information, moderation, identity verification, reports, ratings, reviews, route information, or safety-related features.

These measures may help users make decisions but cannot eliminate outdoor or interpersonal risk.

HikeUnity does not guarantee:

• a user's behavior;
• an Organizer's competence;
• an Activity's safety;
• the accuracy of a route;
• the availability of emergency assistance;
• the condition of a trail;
• weather;
• wildlife behavior; or
• the absence of injury or death.

Users must continue to exercise independent judgment.

40. YOUR DECISION MATTERS

No rating, badge, route description, review, photograph, Organizer statement, or HikeUnity feature can replace your own assessment of whether an Activity is appropriate for you.

If you are uncomfortable with:

• the Organizer;
• another Participant;
• the route;
• the equipment;
• the weather;
• the transportation;
• the terrain;
• the pace; or
• another aspect of the Activity,

you may decide not to participate or, where reasonably safe, leave the Activity.

41. CHANGES TO THESE GUIDELINES

HikeUnity may update these Safety Guidelines as the Platform develops.

Material changes may be communicated through the Platform, email, or another appropriate method.

The current version will display its effective and last-updated date.

42. CONTACT

For non-emergency safety questions or reports:

HikeUnity

Email: info@hikeunity.com

For an immediate emergency, contact the appropriate local emergency service.

END OF SAFETY & OUTDOOR ACTIVITY GUIDELINES