Club System - How the club works

Information

Joining the club

Select the membership type and register on the 'Join Club' page. After you register (safety and club rules) you will be redirected to the 'Members Area'.

Sign up here with your email address and make a password. This is where you log in to communicate with other members.

When your membership fee payment is confirmed (email from PayPal or bankbook update), your email will be added to the club mailing list. When this happens you will get an automatic 'Welcome' email from the list (events [at] outdoorclubjapan [dot] com). Now you can receive event posts from organizers. You can also send your own events to others.

The 'Members Area' account will also be approved so you can enter the site.

That's it! You can also register on the photo gallery so you can download event photos and upload yours to share with others... everyone needs to log in the gallery to do this.

Getting event details and joining events

When an event is announced it is sent to the events email address (events [at] outdoorclubjapan [dot] com). It is then sent on to all members - the mailing list has over 200 people on it by the end of the year. Everyone gets a copy, including the organizer who sent it.

If you want to join an event then just reply to the organizer's email address (not the mailing list). Tell them you want to join or are interested in joining. The organizer will also probably include a phone number to contact them also. After that the organizer will send event updates to the people who contacted them.

Remember to consider the star rating of the event and the equipment needed. If you are not sure about the event level or difficulty then ask the organizer. The same for your equipment - if you are not sure it is good enough then ask the organizer.

Please note!

You can send questions about events or the club, request events, sell things etc. But do not send your private stories or comments - use the 'Members Area' for that.

Please remember to use the mailing list carefully ... do not criticize others or make moral or religious judgments and send to the mailing list. Send your comments directly to the person intended for.

It can take a while, even an hour to send a message to everyone - do not send copies if your message doesn't arrive in 5 minutes - wait at least 1 hour before sending another copy. There is a limit of about 3 event emails per hour so we need to be careful about how much we use it. For chatting use the 'Members Area' site, that has unlimited email and messages.

Event Calendar and Event Database (List)

These are used as a rough guide to show guests what kind of events we have. The mailing list is the most important source of up-to-date event information. The information in the Event List can be used for planning new events.

Typical event email layout:

1. Subject line: Title, date and event level

2. Introduction: What to expect on the event and things to see and do. Routes for hikes and timetable. Any things to be careful about - safety.

3. Things to Bring: Equipment needed for that event

4. Meeting Time & Place: For the group to get together before leaving.

5. Cost: Approximate cost of any activities, trains, buses etc and accommodation.

6. Contact Details (and sign up conditions) : In case of problems the organizer can be contacted by other members.

Example:

Sunday Feb 25th: Nikko snow hike / snowshoe ** (quite easy hike but its winter!)

Introduction
This isn't a high mountain route and 2 weeks ago there was little snow around Nikko so snowshoes may not be needed. Its a quiet path, climbing up to only 1400m and probably no other people on the route. Good views of Nikko mountains and a good chance to see wild animals.

Route
Hosou Touge (Pass) [細尾峠] to Kouminehara [古峰原] about 4 hours plus 45 mins on a road.
From Kouminehara by bus (1715) to Kanuma station (1817) and back on the Tobu line to Asakusa.

Things to Bring
Warm outdoor clothes as the temperature is -5 to 0 degrees in Nikko. Must have gloves, hat and boots.
4 or 6 point crampons.
Snowshoes - optional. May not be needed.
Food and drink.
Could take six hours depending on conditions so bring a headlight just in case.

Meeting Time & Place
Tobu Asakusa station at the ticket machines 0800. The rapid train leaves at 0810 arriving Nikko 1016 followed by a short bus ride to Hoso-Ireguchi.

Cost
Train is 1320 yen one way to Nikko;bus to Houso 520en
Including return bus + train =total about 5000en.

If you want to go email me, call me on 090 3346 7854, or meet at the front of the train. Now 4 people signed up.
Should be a nice day and nice hike.
Andy

On the day of the event

Please follow the organizer's instructions about things required for the event in the email or safety precautions on the day. Pay the event organizer fee promptly when you first meet.

If you are not sure about something - just ask the organizer.

After the event

One of the great things in the club is the photo gallery. People can share photos (full size) with other members on the same event. Please upload them soon to share with others - it's great to get other photos for trip memories.

You can also add comments about events in the Members Area.