Oregon Nordic Club Portland Chapter HOME SEARCH About ONC Membership News and Events Nordic Issues Officers & Committees TRIPS Day Trips Overnight Trips Trips Guide Resources for Trip Leaders TRAILS Mt Hood Guide Mt Hood FS Trail Report St. Helens and Mt Adams FS Trail Report Topo Maps DIRECTIONS & WEATHER Directions Weather GEAR Ski Gear What to Wear Rentals and Retailers Shop Online LINKS ONC Chapters ONC Photo Gallery Nordic Skiing Other Links Send mail to webmaster with comments about this web site.   Trips Guide Trip Ratings To view the current scheduled trips: follow the link to this Month's Trips All Nordic Club tours are rated as either Easy, Intermediate, or Advanced; these terms are an approximate guide to the skill and commitment required for the tour. Use the rating to select the right tour for your ability and inclination. Please do not attempt a trip that is beyond your ability; you could endanger yourself or others in your party. Helmets are required on cycling trips. Rating Descriptions Easy Hikes Less than 8 miles and 200 feet/mile elevation gain. Casual pace and stops as needed. Bikes Basically flat terrain. Slow pace with frequent regrouping. Ski 4 to 6 miles over gentle terrain, usually snow-covered roads, requiring elementary skills. Intermediate Hikes 8 to 10 miles with 200 to 400 feet mile elevation gain. Steady pace with occasional breaks. Bikes Moderate terrain with rolling hills and some short, steep hills. Pace is moderate, with some regrouping when appropriate.. Ski 6 to 10 miles over moderate terrain; possibly minor route finding and downhill skiing. Requires basic gliding, turning, slowing, and stopping skills. Advanced Hikes More than 10 miles and 400 feet mile elevation gain. Steady pace and/or difficult terrain - a workout. Bikes Difficult terrain with a major hill or series of longer, steeper hills. Pace is fast (15-18 mph) and regrouping at major stops. Ski Over 10 miles of mixed, uncertain terrain such as steep hills, tree-covered slopes, unmarked trails, exposed faces. Requires advanced skills: good turning and stopping capabilities in all conditions. Tour Policies Tours depart promptly, so arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time to allow for necessary arrangements. Trips are not canceled. However, we think about weather conditions and act accordingly. Tour leaders may change tour itinerary if conditions demand it. Arrive fully prepared for the day's activities! This means bringing the "Ten Essentials," food, maps, clothing, and equipment appropriate for the tour. Tour leaders can forbid you from joining a tour if you are not prepared. Read and heed the ONC tour rating system found on this page and in the monthly newsletter. Dogs are welcome on those tours and trips that specifically cater to dogs, for example, Dog Hikes and Skijouring trips. Please do not bring your dog on other tours. Car pool drivers may charge each passenger 8 cents per mile for expenses. If there are more than four passengers, the total contribution requested from all passengers should be no more than 32 cents per mile. Please don't wait to be asked to contribute your share. Overnight Trip Policies Overnight trips are announced in the newsletter at least one month prior to the date of the trip. All trip spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. You can reserve a place on a trip by mailing your overnight trip form, payment, and self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to the trip leader. You do not have a trip reservation until you have paid in full. Non-members are charged an additional $27 per trip over member trip cost. (i.e., you must be a member to participate in an overnight tour) Please make your check payable to the Oregon Nordic Club. Provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your payment to help the leader send trip information back to you. If a trip is currently filled you can be placed on the waiting list by sending the trip leader full payment in advance. Those not offered a place on the trip will receive a full refund. Notify the trip leader if you do not intend to go, even if it is a shared-cost trip and no deposit has been paid. Trip payments are nonrefundable unless a replacement is found before the trip. Here is the policy on refunds. Tour Essentials Pack these "ten essentials" on any ONC activity, "just in case". Remember that cotton offers no insulation when wet. Choose wool or synthetics like polypro or Capilene® for warmth. Yes, we know that there are 12 items here ... Skiing & Hiking Essentials First aid kit Matches (in water-proof case) and fire starter Rain gear and extra clothes, including a warm sweater Extra food and water Plastic whistle Map and compass (know how to use) Flashlight, extra batteries and bulb Space blanket or bivy bag Pocketknife Toilet paper and trowel (ziplock bag to carry out toilet paper) Sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen Foam sit pad Biking Essentials Helmet (required on all bike rides) Spare tube Patch kit Tire pump Water bottle (filled) Tire irons 1999–2008 Portland Chapter ONC. All Rights Reserved.