Yes we have, be good to catch up again. Hope your foot is better soon. 🙂

We hope you'll be back soon too Ali-Bach - we've missed you! 🙂

Rourky, you are OCD as we know 🙂 But I have to say I have appreciated your support over the years and that's why I haven't walked for a while because I have a problem with my foot and until that gets better I won't be doing long rambles but hope to be back soon. 🙂

I totally agree Claudette, I take it for granted that people actually read and act upon the information I post etc re mileage and or websites for guidance.

Clive you're a great and thoughtful leader and despite what I might say it is appreciated and perhaps I take your conscientousness for granted but I still believe that to go on a walk without considering the mileage and the inclines/declines and speaking to the leader to discuss your limitations could be foolhardy. I have to say in my experience everybody has been very re-assuring and considerate and if they know they can adjust If they don't then it can become a grumble

high energy food etc etc all of which i lump around the hill as im sure do many others who take groups into mountainous areas as a matter of good practice.

Im more inclined now to agree with the idea of several walks at the same event, with differing demand levels, which all meet up at the end of the day, to enjoy the friendship, camaraderie and general micky taking banter that this site is so special to have created.

Please remember this is my view only and comes as mentioned from being on the sharp end, each Feb, of high level exposed mountain walks in the Brecon Beacons.

After running my Feb bash for the last three years now and having chatted to both Dave and other established walk leaders on here I agree with all concerns. Even though people have suggested in the past and here now that individuals have a responsibility for themselves in ensuring suitable kit, their ability and having studied invite details including maps etc etc I personally still feel 100% responsible for groups i take out. Group management on the hill is vital and this is demonstrated in the kit i took out in Feb which included items such as group shelter, group first aid kit, GPS, spare clothes for the group, 30m rope to name a few as well as obvious spare maps & compass,

This came up a couple of times last year and I believe resulted in a request for members to add more detail as to the severity of walks (discussions which also included the grading of walks). I think trekkie has made a very valid point about the weather as we approach winter. A big group, poor visibility and a big hill are without doubt going to cause problems somewhere along the line. At this point it's up to members to be honest about their own abilities and take some responsibility for their own safety. Breaking up into smaller groups on such occasions should be viewed as a positive thing and not as being put down in any way.😋😋

When it comes to the size of the group it's difficult. We all want to do the walk and weekends for the cameraderie and fun. Should there be splinter groups then the collective enjoyment can also feel splintered even when we all meet up again in the evenings. I guess it's up to us to make sure that doesn't happen. last Christmas we had a group of 41 which we split into two groups - those that wanted a harder longer route and those that wanted a shorter group. I think it worked well but it may not be appropriate in every case. Lets see what happens this Christmas! 🙂

Experience and fitness has always been my problem. In my opinion, the majority of the responsibility has to belong to the person. You have to aask yourself if you think you can do it. You should also ask the leader more detail as to the terrain and discuss your capabilities with them. If the "group" per say don't mind someone who is a litle slower then there should be no problem but I think it should be pointed out. I have been very fortunate. The walks I have chosen people have been understanding and I hope I haven't held them back too much. There is always the reasoning that if you don't get to do these walks then you won't ever get better. The responsibility is yours.

Dave is part of your message missing?

There are many variables, terrain, weather, abilities etc.
In November for Great Gable, whilst we will all be doing the same route on Sunday, there will be three people who are known to me taking a group each.

There are many reasons for this especially at this event where it would be impossible to keep a group of 25 people together amidst the hundreds of others up there. If the weather is not great then again it adds to the difficulty.
Additionally large groups are much slower and there is the risk of people getting cold.
So the answer is... (it depends...)

I agree it is a huge responsibility for a walk leader especially if there is a large group of people. Maybe we could split into teams if its a very large group, with designated meeting places along the route. Our own OD challenge day/weekends.
As long as there is someone able and willing to lead and someone to look out for stragglers within each team I wouldn't have a problem with this.
Not sure about the doing our own thing bit, usually I join an invite because I would like to do that particular walk/event and to also enjoy the company of other OD members along the way.
Be interesting to see what others think