HIKEUNITY TERMS OF SERVICE

Effective Date: September 27, 2026

Last Updated: September 27, 2026

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the HikeUnity mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the “Platform”).

HikeUnity is operated by Mariia Mongolina under the HikeUnity name (“HikeUnity,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

By creating an account, accessing, or using HikeUnity, you agree to these Terms and acknowledge the HikeUnity Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Platform.

1. WHAT HIKEUNITY IS

HikeUnity is a technology platform and outdoor community that may enable users to:

• discover hiking, trekking, walking, and other outdoor routes;
• record GPS routes;
• upload or share GPX, KML, photographs, route information, and other content;
• discover and create outdoor Activities;
• connect with other users;
• communicate through direct, group, Activity, or community chats;
• organize or join free, cost-sharing, or paid Activities;
• review routes, Activities, Organizers, or Participants;
• verify identity through available verification features;
• process or facilitate payments through third-party payment providers; and
• use other outdoor, social, marketplace, or community features made available by HikeUnity.

Features may change over time and may not be available in every location or version of the Platform.

2. HIKEUNITY IS A PLATFORM, NOT A GUIDE OR TOUR OPERATOR

Unless HikeUnity expressly states otherwise for a specific HikeUnity-operated service, HikeUnity does not itself organize, guide, supervise, control, or operate user-created outdoor Activities.

Users who create or organize Activities act independently.

HikeUnity does not become the employer, agent, partner, joint venturer, representative, tour operator, professional guide, transportation provider, medical provider, rescue service, or insurer of an Organizer or Participant merely because the Platform connects users or facilitates a transaction.

HikeUnity does not control how an Organizer conducts a user-created Activity.

The availability of an Activity on HikeUnity does not constitute HikeUnity's endorsement, certification, or guarantee of that Activity or Organizer.

3. ELIGIBILITY

You must be at least 18 years old to create or use a standard HikeUnity account.

By creating an account, you represent that:

• you are at least 18 years old;
• you have legal capacity to enter into these Terms; and
• your use of HikeUnity is not prohibited by applicable law.

HikeUnity may suspend or terminate an account if we reasonably determine that the user does not satisfy applicable eligibility requirements.

4. YOUR ACCOUNT

You agree to provide materially accurate information when creating and maintaining your account.

You are responsible for:

• maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials;
• activity occurring through your account;
• keeping account information reasonably current; and
• promptly notifying HikeUnity if you believe your account has been compromised.

You may not:

• impersonate another person;
• create an account using materially false identity information;
• sell or transfer your account for purposes that violate HikeUnity rules;
• use another person's account without authorization; or
• use multiple accounts to evade suspension, restrictions, verification, reviews, or enforcement.

Contact info@hikeunity.com if you believe your account has been compromised.

5. IDENTITY VERIFICATION

HikeUnity may offer or require identity verification for certain users or features, including Paid Organizers.

Identity verification may be performed by a third-party verification provider and may involve government-issued identification, a selfie, liveness or authenticity checks, fraud-prevention information, and other verification information.

Where reasonably possible, HikeUnity seeks to avoid independently storing unnecessary copies of raw identification documents or biometric verification materials and may instead rely on the verification provider to process and retain such information.

Successful verification may result in an Identity Verified indicator.

Identity verification means only that the user successfully completed the applicable identity-verification process.

It does not mean that HikeUnity has verified or guarantees the user's:

• character;
• trustworthiness;
• criminal history;
• outdoor competence;
• guide license;
• professional qualifications;
• certifications;
• insurance;
• medical training;
• rescue qualifications; or
• safety.

An Identity Verified badge is not a HikeUnity endorsement.

6. OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES INVOLVE RISK

Hiking, trekking, climbing, camping, backpacking, walking, trail running, water crossings, mountain travel, winter travel, and other outdoor activities may involve significant and unpredictable risks.

Risks may include, without limitation:

• falls;
• cliffs;
• unstable terrain;
• loose rock;
• rockfall;
• wildlife;
• insects;
• water crossings;
• drowning;
• altitude;
• heat;
• cold;
• storms;
• lightning;
• wildfire;
• flooding;
• avalanche;
• snow;
• ice;
• poor visibility;
• getting lost;
• dehydration;
• exhaustion;
• illness;
• injury;
• equipment failure;
• transportation incidents;
• lack of cellular service;
• inaccurate navigation information;
• delayed emergency response;
• delayed rescue;
• conduct of Organizers or Participants;
• conduct of third parties; and
• death.

Conditions may change rapidly.

No route, Activity description, rating, map, GPS track, review, or other information on HikeUnity can eliminate these risks.

You are responsible for deciding whether an outdoor Activity is appropriate for you.

7. ROUTES, MAPS, GPS AND NAVIGATION

HikeUnity may provide maps, GPS recording, route information, GPX/KML data, elevation information, directions, trail information, or other navigation-related features.

Such information may be:

• inaccurate;
• incomplete;
• outdated;
• unavailable;
• affected by device or GPS error;
• affected by poor connectivity;
• affected by terrain or weather;
• based on User Content; or
• inconsistent with current conditions.

A route appearing on HikeUnity does not guarantee that the route is:

• open;
• legal to access;
• public;
• maintained;
• correctly mapped;
• appropriate for your ability;
• free from hazards; or
• safe.

Trails and access rules can change.

Do not rely on HikeUnity as your sole navigation, safety, or emergency resource.

Users should use appropriate judgment, equipment, backup navigation, official information, and other safety resources appropriate to the Activity.

8. GPS PRIVACY AND PRIVATE LOCATIONS

GPS routes may reveal sensitive locations.

If you record or publish a route, you are responsible for reviewing what location information will be shared.

You should not begin or end a publicly shared route directly at your:

• home;
• workplace;
• school;
• private accommodation; or
• another location you do not want other users to identify.

HikeUnity may provide privacy tools such as hidden start/end points or privacy zones, but availability of such tools does not eliminate your responsibility to review information before publishing it.

If you voluntarily make route information public, other users may be able to infer places you visited.

Additional information about location data is provided in the HikeUnity Privacy Policy.

9. USER-ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES

HikeUnity may allow users to create different categories of Activities.

9.1 Free Community Activities

A Free Community Activity is generally an Activity for which the Organizer does not require compensation for organizing or leading the Activity.

An ordinary community member may create a Free Community Activity, subject to applicable law and HikeUnity rules.

Creating a Free Community Activity does not make the Organizer a professional guide.

9.2 Cost-Sharing Activities

Users may be permitted to share genuine Activity-related expenses such as:

• gas;
• tolls;
• parking;
• permits;
• campground fees;
• shared equipment rental; or
• similar legitimate shared costs.

Cost sharing must reasonably correspond to actual shared expenses.

Users may not disguise Organizer compensation or profit as cost sharing for the purpose of avoiding Platform Fees, taxes, licensing requirements, or other obligations.

9.3 Paid Activities

A Paid Activity is an Activity for which an Organizer receives compensation, profit, an organizing fee, guiding fee, participation fee, or other required payment beyond legitimate shared expenses.

Paid Activities may be subject to additional HikeUnity requirements, including:

• Organizer Terms;
• identity verification;
• payment-provider requirements;
• payment and refund rules; and
• applicable legal requirements.

10. ORGANIZER LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizers are responsible for determining whether the Activities they create or conduct require any:

• professional or guide license;
• business registration;
• permit;
• commercial-use authorization;
• concession;
• insurance;
• professional certification;
• first-aid or wilderness certification;
• tax registration;
• transportation authorization;
• land-manager approval; or
• other authorization.

Requirements vary depending on jurisdiction, location, Activity, land ownership or management, and whether compensation is received.

HikeUnity's technical ability to publish an Activity does not mean HikeUnity has determined that the Organizer is legally permitted or professionally qualified to conduct it.

Where applicable law requires a license, permit, insurance, certification, or other authorization, the Organizer is responsible for obtaining and maintaining it.

HikeUnity may request documentation where reasonably necessary but does not generally guarantee or independently verify all Organizer credentials.

Paid Organizers must also comply with the HikeUnity Organizer Terms.

11. PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

Participants are responsible for deciding whether an Activity is appropriate for them.

Before participating, you should consider factors including:

• your health and physical condition;
• experience;
• skills;
• equipment;
• weather;
• terrain;
• elevation;
• route difficulty;
• transportation;
• emergency access;
• expected pace;
• water and food requirements; and
• other relevant conditions.

A Participant should not rely solely on an Organizer, another user, or HikeUnity to determine whether participation is safe or appropriate.

You may decide not to begin an Activity or, where reasonably safe, not to continue.

12. NO BACKGROUND-CHECK OR SAFETY GUARANTEE

Unless expressly stated for a specific feature, HikeUnity does not represent that it conducts comprehensive criminal background checks on users.

Even where HikeUnity performs identity verification or another screening process, no verification system can guarantee a person's future conduct or safety.

You are responsible for exercising reasonable judgment when:

• meeting another user;
• joining an Activity;
• sharing personal information;
• accepting transportation;
• communicating privately; or
• participating in an outdoor Activity.

Report serious misconduct through available HikeUnity reporting tools.

13. EMERGENCIES

HikeUnity is not an emergency-response service.

Do not use HikeUnity as a substitute for:

• 911 or another applicable emergency number;
• police;
• fire services;
• emergency medical services;
• park rangers;
• search and rescue; or
• other appropriate emergency resources.

A message, report, location share, or other communication sent through HikeUnity does not guarantee that emergency responders will receive it or respond.

If HikeUnity later introduces SOS, live-location, check-in, or related safety features, such features do not guarantee rescue or emergency assistance.

14. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS

HikeUnity may permit Organizers to receive genuinely optional contributions where the feature is available.

A voluntary contribution must actually be voluntary.

An Organizer may not:

• require a “donation” as a condition of participation;
• establish a disguised mandatory minimum;
• deny participation solely because a user did not make an optional contribution where the Activity was represented as free;
• use “donation” or “tip” terminology to disguise a Paid Activity; or
• use voluntary-contribution features to intentionally evade applicable fees, taxes, licensing requirements, or laws.

HikeUnity may reclassify an Activity where its actual payment structure differs from the category selected by the Organizer.

15. PAYMENTS

HikeUnity may facilitate payments for Paid Activities or other paid features through third-party payment providers.

By using paid features, you may also be required to agree to terms imposed by the applicable payment provider.

HikeUnity facilitates payments through third-party providers.

HikeUnity does not provide banking or escrow services.

Payment availability, payout timing, refunds, reserves, chargebacks, and related matters may depend on:

• payment-provider configuration;
• applicable law;
• transaction type;
• Organizer status;
• fraud risk; and
• HikeUnity's Payment & Refund Policy.

16. PLATFORM FEES

HikeUnity may charge fees for certain services.

For the current version of HikeUnity's Paid Activity program, the standard HikeUnity Platform Fee is:

10% of the applicable Activity booking amount.

Applicable fees should be disclosed before the relevant transaction or before an Organizer publishes the Paid Activity, as appropriate.

HikeUnity may change fees prospectively.

A fee change will not retroactively increase the Platform Fee applicable to a completed transaction unless required by law or otherwise agreed where legally permitted.

Payment-processing fees, taxes, refunds, and other transaction adjustments may be treated separately.

17. ORGANIZER PAYOUTS

Participant payment does not necessarily mean that an Organizer will receive an immediate payout.

HikeUnity or the applicable payment provider may delay or schedule payouts based on factors including:

• Activity timing;
• Organizer history;
• identity verification;
• fraud prevention;
• refund exposure;
• chargeback exposure;
• safety reports;
• reserves;
• legal requirements; and
• payment-provider rules.

HikeUnity may permit eligible Organizers to receive a portion of funds before an Activity for legitimate preparation expenses.

Advance payout availability is not guaranteed.

Receipt of funds does not eliminate an Organizer's responsibility for later refunds, disputes, chargebacks, reversals, or other valid adjustments.

Additional terms are provided in the Organizer Terms and Payment & Refund Policy.

18. CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS AND CHARGEBACKS

Refund rights depend on the circumstances, the Activity's published cancellation policy, the HikeUnity Payment & Refund Policy, and applicable law.

Unless another applicable rule or law provides otherwise:

• if an Organizer cancels a Paid Activity, affected Participants are generally entitled to a 100% refund of the Activity booking amount;
• if an Organizer materially changes an Activity, affected Participants may be eligible for a full or partial refund;
• Participant cancellations made more than 72 hours before an Activity are governed by the cancellation policy displayed for that Activity at the time of booking;
• Participant cancellations within 72 hours before the scheduled Activity start time may be refundable at the Organizer's discretion unless another applicable exception applies; and
• a Participant who fails to attend without timely cancellation is generally not entitled to a refund.

HikeUnity may intervene in appropriate circumstances involving:

• fraud;
• serious safety issues;
• material Organizer misrepresentation;
• duplicate or erroneous charges;
• Platform or payment errors;
• exceptional circumstances; or
• legal requirements.

Participants may also have rights to dispute transactions through their card issuer or payment provider.

Nothing in these Terms eliminates non-waivable payment or consumer rights.

19. TAXES

Users are responsible for determining their own tax obligations arising from use of HikeUnity.

Organizers who earn income may be responsible for:

• income tax;
• self-employment tax;
• sales or similar taxes;
• business taxes;
• registration requirements; or
• other tax obligations.

HikeUnity or its payment provider may collect information, report transactions, withhold amounts, collect taxes, or remit taxes where required by law.

The absence of a particular tax form does not necessarily mean that income is not taxable.

HikeUnity does not provide individualized tax advice.

20. USER CONTENT

“User Content” includes content that users upload, submit, record, publish, transmit, or otherwise make available through HikeUnity.

User Content may include:

• photographs;
• videos;
• GPS routes;
• GPX/KML files;
• route descriptions;
• Activity descriptions;
• reviews;
• ratings;
• comments;
• messages;
• profile information; and
• other materials.

You retain ownership of intellectual-property rights that you hold in your User Content.

Uploading User Content does not transfer ownership of your copyright to HikeUnity.

21. LICENSE TO HIKEUNITY

By uploading, publishing, submitting, or otherwise making User Content available through HikeUnity, you grant HikeUnity a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, display, distribute, communicate, format, technically modify, and otherwise use that content as reasonably necessary to:

• operate HikeUnity;
• display content according to your settings;
• provide Platform functionality;
• process or optimize content;
• maintain backups;
• protect and secure the Platform;
• improve HikeUnity; and
• promote publicly available HikeUnity content and the HikeUnity Platform.

This license does not transfer ownership of your User Content to HikeUnity.

The license continues only for as long as reasonably necessary for these purposes, subject to copies that may remain because content was shared with other users, legal retention requirements, backups, dispute records, or other permitted circumstances.

22. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR USER CONTENT

You are responsible for User Content you provide.

You represent that you have the rights necessary to upload and share it.

You may not knowingly upload content that:

• infringes copyright;
• infringes trademark rights;
• violates privacy or publicity rights;
• is unlawfully obtained;
• contains illegal material;
• fraudulently impersonates another person;
• materially violates another person's rights; or
• otherwise violates applicable law or HikeUnity policies.

The fact that material is publicly available elsewhere on the internet does not necessarily mean you have permission to copy it to HikeUnity.

In particular, do not copy another platform's protected photographs, reviews, descriptions, map tiles, or other proprietary content without appropriate authorization or another lawful basis.

23. REVIEWS AND RATINGS

HikeUnity may allow users to review or rate:

• routes;
• Activities;
• Organizers;
• Participants; or
• other Platform experiences.

Reviews should reflect genuine experiences.

Users may not:

• purchase fake reviews;
• create fake accounts to manipulate ratings;
• offer undisclosed compensation for dishonest reviews;
• threaten someone because of a review;
• retaliate against a user for a good-faith review; or
• knowingly submit materially false statements designed to harm another person.

HikeUnity may remove or restrict reviews that violate applicable law or HikeUnity policies.

24. USER CONDUCT

You agree not to use HikeUnity to:

• threaten or harass another person;
• bully another user;
• stalk another person;
• engage in unlawful discrimination;
• engage in sexual harassment;
• promote violence;
• facilitate illegal activity;
• commit fraud;
• impersonate another person;
• distribute malware;
• compromise Platform security;
• spam users;
• manipulate ratings or reviews;
• misuse another user's personal information;
• evade payment rules;
• circumvent account restrictions;
• interfere with HikeUnity systems; or
• engage in conduct prohibited by the Community Guidelines.

Additional rules are contained in the HikeUnity Community Guidelines.

25. SAFETY REPORTS AND MODERATION

HikeUnity may provide tools for reporting:

• users;
• messages;
• Activities;
• routes;
• reviews;
• photographs;
• fraud;
• harassment;
• safety concerns; or
• other content or conduct.

HikeUnity may review reports and take action that we reasonably consider appropriate.

Possible actions may include:

• warning a user;
• removing content;
• restricting communication;
• removing an Activity;
• requesting additional information;
• restricting Organizer privileges;
• delaying a payout where legally and technically permitted;
• temporarily suspending an account; or
• terminating an account.

HikeUnity does not promise to monitor every user, message, Activity, or item of User Content before it appears on the Platform.

A temporary protective measure does not necessarily mean HikeUnity has made a final determination that misconduct occurred.

26. BLOCKING USERS

HikeUnity may provide functionality allowing users to block other users.

Blocking may limit future interactions, but it cannot guarantee that blocked individuals will never encounter one another offline or through other services.

Blocking does not replace contacting emergency services where immediate danger exists.

27. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

HikeUnity may integrate with or link to third-party services, including:

• map providers;
• payment providers;
• identity-verification providers;
• authentication providers;
• social networks;
• websites;
• cloud services; and
• other third-party resources.

Third-party services are governed by their own terms and privacy practices.

HikeUnity is not responsible for independent third-party services merely because they are linked to or integrated with the Platform.

28. HIKEUNITY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Except for User Content and third-party materials, HikeUnity and its licensors retain applicable rights in the Platform and HikeUnity materials, including:

• software;
• source code;
• interface design;
• original graphics;
• databases;
• branding;
• logos;
• trademarks;
• original text; and
• Platform architecture.

These Terms do not transfer ownership of HikeUnity intellectual property to you.

You may not copy, reverse engineer, distribute, sell, or commercially exploit HikeUnity materials except as permitted by law or expressly authorized by HikeUnity.

29. COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMPLAINTS

HikeUnity respects intellectual-property rights.

If you believe content on HikeUnity infringes rights you own or are authorized to enforce, contact:

info@hikeunity.com

Provide sufficient information to identify:

• the protected work or right;
• the allegedly infringing content;
• where the content appears;
• your contact information; and
• the basis for your complaint.

HikeUnity may remove or disable access to content where appropriate.

HikeUnity may suspend or terminate repeat infringers in appropriate circumstances.

Additional procedures are described in the HikeUnity Intellectual Property & Copyright Policy.

30. SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION

HikeUnity may suspend, restrict, or terminate an account where reasonably necessary because of:

• serious or repeated Terms violations;
• fraud;
• threats or harassment;
• significant safety risks;
• payment abuse;
• intellectual-property infringement;
• unlawful activity;
• attempts to evade prior enforcement;
• security threats; or
• legal requirements.

For less serious issues, HikeUnity may use warnings or narrower restrictions where appropriate.

Serious conduct may result in immediate action.

Termination does not eliminate obligations that arose before termination.

31. ACCOUNT DELETION

HikeUnity provides an option to initiate account deletion within the application.

Deleting your account is intended to delete the account rather than merely hide or deactivate it.

After a valid deletion request, HikeUnity will delete or de-identify associated personal information when it is no longer reasonably necessary, subject to applicable retention requirements.

Certain information may be retained where reasonably necessary or legally required for purposes such as:

• transaction records;
• taxes;
• chargebacks;
• payment disputes;
• fraud prevention;
• security;
• serious safety enforcement;
• legal claims; or
• regulatory compliance.

Additional information is provided in the HikeUnity Privacy Policy.

32. ASSUMPTION OF OUTDOOR RISK

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you acknowledge that participation in outdoor Activities involves inherent and other risks, including risks that cannot be eliminated by HikeUnity, an Organizer, technology, maps, GPS information, or safety precautions.

You voluntarily choose whether to participate in an Activity.

You remain responsible for your own decisions, preparation, equipment, actions, and assessment of conditions.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to waive liability that cannot lawfully be waived.

33. RELEASE REGARDING USER-CREATED ACTIVITIES

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you agree that HikeUnity is not responsible for the independent acts or omissions of Organizers, Participants, or other users merely because those persons met, communicated, organized, or transacted through HikeUnity.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release HikeUnity from claims arising solely from disputes or interactions between users or from independently organized user Activities, except to the extent a claim results from HikeUnity's own conduct for which liability cannot legally be excluded or limited.

Nothing in this section releases HikeUnity from liability that applicable law does not permit HikeUnity to waive.

34. DISCLAIMERS

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HIKEUNITY AND THE PLATFORM ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS.

HIKEUNITY DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT:

• THE PLATFORM WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE;
• GPS OR MAP INFORMATION WILL ALWAYS BE ACCURATE;
• A ROUTE IS SAFE;
• A TRAIL IS OPEN OR LEGALLY ACCESSIBLE;
• AN ACTIVITY WILL OCCUR;
• AN ORGANIZER OR PARTICIPANT WILL BEHAVE SAFELY;
• A VERIFIED USER IS TRUSTWORTHY;
• A USER HAS A PARTICULAR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION;
• INFORMATION PROVIDED BY USERS IS ACCURATE;
• CELLULAR OR GPS SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE;
• A SAFETY FEATURE WILL PREVENT INJURY; OR
• EMERGENCY HELP WILL BE AVAILABLE OR ARRIVE WITHIN A PARTICULAR TIME.

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HIKEUNITY DISCLAIMS IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN WARRANTY DISCLAIMERS, SO SOME OF THESE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

35. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HIKEUNITY AND ITS OPERATORS, AFFILIATES, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR FOR LOST PROFITS, LOST REVENUE, LOST DATA, OR LOSS OF GOODWILL ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PLATFORM.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HIKEUNITY'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PLATFORM OR THESE TERMS WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF:

(A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID DIRECTLY TO HIKEUNITY IN PLATFORM FEES DURING THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM; OR

(B) US $100.

THESE LIMITATIONS DO NOT APPLY TO LIABILITY THAT CANNOT LAWFULLY BE EXCLUDED OR LIMITED.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability to the extent such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by applicable law.

36. INDEMNIFICATION

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless HikeUnity and its operator, affiliates, service providers, and representatives from third-party claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, losses, and reasonable costs arising from or relating to:

• your unlawful conduct;
• your material violation of these Terms;
• your User Content;
• your infringement of another person's rights;
• your fraud or material misrepresentation;
• an Activity you organize;
• your failure to obtain a legally required license, permit, authorization, or insurance; or
• your violation of applicable law.

This obligation does not require you to indemnify HikeUnity for HikeUnity's own conduct to the extent applicable law prohibits such indemnification.

HikeUnity may control the defense of a covered claim where reasonably necessary, and you agree to reasonably cooperate.

37. DISPUTES BETWEEN USERS

HikeUnity may provide tools or support to help users communicate concerning disputes, including payment, Activity, review, or conduct disputes.

However, HikeUnity is not required to adjudicate every private dispute between users.

Users remain responsible for their own legal relationships and conduct.

HikeUnity may take Platform-level action where a dispute also involves violation of HikeUnity policies.

38. INFORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Before filing an arbitration or lawsuit against HikeUnity concerning a dispute that can reasonably be resolved informally, you and HikeUnity agree to attempt in good faith to resolve the dispute.

A notice to HikeUnity should be sent to:

info@hikeunity.com

The notice should reasonably describe:

• your name and account information;
• the nature of the dispute;
• relevant facts; and
• the relief requested.

The parties will have 30 days from receipt of a sufficient notice to attempt informal resolution before commencing formal proceedings, unless applicable law requires otherwise or immediate relief is legally appropriate.

39. ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER — UNITED STATES

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS LEGAL RIGHTS.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, disputes between you and HikeUnity arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform that are not resolved informally will be resolved by binding individual arbitration, rather than in court, except for:

• claims eligible for small claims court;
• claims seeking appropriate injunctive relief concerning intellectual-property rights;
• claims for which applicable law prohibits mandatory arbitration; or
• other claims that legally cannot be required to proceed in arbitration.

The arbitration will be administered by a recognized arbitration provider under applicable consumer or commercial rules, as appropriate.

Unless applicable law requires otherwise, arbitration will take place in New York or remotely, as reasonably appropriate.

Individual Proceedings

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you and HikeUnity agree to bring covered claims only on an individual basis and not as plaintiff or class member in a purported class, collective, consolidated, or representative proceeding.

An arbitrator may award relief only to the individual party seeking relief, except where applicable law requires otherwise.

Jury Trial Waiver

For disputes subject to arbitration, you and HikeUnity waive the right to a trial before a judge or jury.

30-Day Arbitration Opt-Out

You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to:

info@hikeunity.com

within 30 days after you first accept these Terms.

Your notice must clearly state that you are opting out of the HikeUnity arbitration agreement and include information reasonably sufficient to identify your HikeUnity account.

Opting out of arbitration does not terminate your HikeUnity account or otherwise affect your use of the Platform.

If you validly opt out, disputes that would otherwise have been subject to arbitration may be brought in a court having jurisdiction, subject to the governing-law and venue provisions below.

40. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE

Except where applicable law requires otherwise, these Terms and disputes between you and HikeUnity are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

For disputes that are not subject to arbitration, and where applicable law permits the parties to select venue, you and HikeUnity consent to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York County, New York.

Nothing in this section deprives a consumer of mandatory protections provided by applicable law that cannot legally be waived.

41. INTERNATIONAL USERS

HikeUnity may be accessible outside the United States.

You are responsible for complying with laws applicable to your use of the Platform.

The fact that HikeUnity is accessible from a particular country does not mean that every feature, Activity, payment arrangement, or Organizer service is legally permitted there.

Certain features may be restricted by location.

Users outside the United States may have mandatory consumer, privacy, or other legal rights that cannot be waived by these Terms.

42. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS

HikeUnity may update these Terms as the Platform, business, legal requirements, or features change.

The current Terms will display an effective or last-updated date.

If a change is material, HikeUnity may provide notice through:

• the Platform;
• email;
• an in-app notice; or
• another appropriate method.

Where appropriate, HikeUnity may require users to affirmatively accept materially updated Terms before continuing to use particular features.

Changes will not retroactively eliminate rights where applicable law prohibits such retroactive effect.

43. CHANGES TO THE PLATFORM

HikeUnity may add, modify, suspend, or discontinue features.

We do not guarantee that any particular feature will remain available permanently.

Where a change affects a paid transaction or legally protected right, HikeUnity will comply with applicable obligations.

44. NO AGENCY, EMPLOYMENT OR PARTNERSHIP

Except where expressly agreed in writing, nothing in these Terms creates an employment, agency, partnership, franchise, joint venture, fiduciary, or similar relationship between HikeUnity and a user.

Organizers act independently in creating and conducting their Activities.

The legal characterization of a relationship ultimately depends on applicable law and the actual circumstances and is not determined solely by labels in these Terms.

45. ASSIGNMENT

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without HikeUnity's consent where such consent may lawfully be required.

HikeUnity may assign these Terms in connection with:

• formation or restructuring of the HikeUnity business;
• incorporation;
• merger;
• acquisition;
• financing;
• sale of assets; or
• transfer of the Platform,

subject to applicable law.

46. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent legally permissible or severed where necessary.

The remaining provisions will remain in effect.

47. NO WAIVER

If HikeUnity does not enforce a provision of these Terms in a particular instance, that does not mean HikeUnity permanently waives the right to enforce that provision.

48. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

These Terms, together with applicable HikeUnity policies and additional terms incorporated by reference, constitute the agreement between you and HikeUnity concerning the Platform.

Applicable additional policies may include:

• Privacy Policy;
• Community Guidelines;
• Safety & Outdoor Activity Guidelines;
• Organizer Terms;
• Payment & Refund Policy;
• Cookie Policy; and
• Intellectual Property & Copyright Policy.

Specific features may also include additional disclosures or terms presented before use.

49. SURVIVAL

Provisions that by their nature should continue after account deletion or termination will survive, including provisions concerning:

• intellectual property;
• payment obligations;
• refunds;
• disputes;
• indemnification;
• limitations of liability;
• governing law; and
• other accrued rights or obligations.

50. CONTACT

Questions about these Terms may be sent to:

HikeUnity

Operator: Mariia Mongolina

Email: info@hikeunity.com

For emergencies involving immediate danger, contact the appropriate local emergency service rather than HikeUnity.