Pick A Trail

Sole Mates

Hiking Group

WhatsApp Groups

WhatsApp as the Sole Mates Communication Platform

WhatsApp is central to how Sole Mates operates. It’s fast, reliable, familiar to everyone, and essential for safety, logistics, and real-time updates during hikes.
Because of this, we expect all participants to be able to use WhatsApp for communication on every hike.

If You Choose Not to Use WhatsApp

Some members have decided to deactivate WhatsApp for personal reasons. While we respect personal choices, please note:

  • By opting out of WhatsApp, you are also opting out of Sole Mates communication.

  • You will need to check Meetup regularly on your own for updates.

  • Sole Mates is not responsible if you miss last-minute changes because you were not on WhatsApp.

  • Sole Mates is not responsible for your safety if you miss crucial on-trail instructions or updates.

  • Running alternative communication platforms would add unnecessary work to our volunteer organisers.

WhatsApp remains the most widely used and practical communication tool in South Africa — and it keeps the group running smoothly.

Our WhatsApp Group Philosophy: Purpose, Not Chatter

Our WhatsApp groups are not social chat rooms.
They are purpose-driven tools designed to keep communication useful, clear, and uncluttered.

We do not forbid messaging, but we ask everyone to:

  • Keep messages focused,

  • Avoid unnecessary chatter,

  • Respect that many members are working during the day,

  • And help us maintain signal-to-noise quality.

When a message comes through on a Sole Mates group, we want it to mean something, not distract hundreds of people unnecessarily.

Sole Mates AMF Group

This group includes all current Annual Members.
It is used for:

  • Announcements

  • General communication

  • Notifying members when Overnight Hike registrations open

Purpose of the AMF Group

Communication here is strictly limited to:

  • Sole Mates updates

  • Hiking-related information

No memes, no chain messages, no random chatter — just what members actually need to know.

Hike-Specific WhatsApp Groups

Each hike has its own dedicated WhatsApp group.
Only participants registered on Meetup will be added.

Guests

Guests are not added unless:

  • They are also Annual Members, and

  • They are added by request

Pre-Paid Hikes

Participants are added once they register.
If payment is not confirmed within 48 hours, they are removed.

Non-Pre-Paid Hikes

Participants are added shortly before the registration deadline.

Overnight Hikes

Groups are created one month before the hike and all participants that have registered on Meetup and have already paid will be added upon creation. Additional participants are added once they register.
If payment is not confirmed within 48 hours, they are removed.

Purpose of Hike-Specific Groups

These groups have very specific functions:

1. General Hike Information

  • Logistics

  • Meeting times

  • Host announcements

2. Directions

More accurate location details and shared pin drops.

3. Carpooling

Members may coordinate lifts briefly in the group.
Once sorted, please move the conversation to a private chat.

4. Meals & After-Hike Plans for:

  • Picnics

  • Braais

  • Brunches

  • Overnight menus

5. Pictures

Share your favourite trail moments with your fellow hikers.
We may select photos from the group for the Sole Mates Meetup and Facebook pages — always carefully filtered to ensure they are tasteful and appropriate.

Deactivation of Hike-Specific Groups

Hike-specific groups remain active for one week after the event.
Please post your photos and goodbyes before then.

After a week:

  • The group is silenced (posting disabled)

  • The group is not deleted

  • This helps limit the number of active chats and prevents unwanted chatter throughout the year

Sole Mates reserves the right to adjust these guidelines as needed to maintain effective, respectful, and streamlined communication for all members.