Hiking clubs

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
8,250
I really prefer hiking with other people but the problem is I'm halfway between a hiker and a woods bum. I'll start out on a hike but if something interesting catches my eye I'll stop and check it out and maybe not even finish the hike. Something that's not that compatible with most hikers who HAVE to get to point B. So I'm going to give one or two of the local clubs a try and see how it goes. Anyone else have any experience with clubs or group hiking?
 
used to do some "club" hiking, but as you pointed out. its typically, at least in my experience, a point a-b and back. personally i pick my own hiking buds. none of whom mind if we end up sitting down, making a small fire, heating up some cocoa etc. how can someone pass up on a cup o hot coffee or cocoa when its below freezing, damp etc. but my hiking club experience was just that. it was gonna throw everyone off schedule. had my cocoa alone and never looked back. but the kids are grown, no one else to answer to. my life's just not on that sorta clock anymore...
 
lotta hiking clubs are folks who just don't have the time in their lives to meander in the woods/trails. They have to combine what exercise they can get with the opportunity to be outside, away from the maddnin' crowd.

Also, I'm a little shy of organized anythings.
 
Yes, I am the exact same way!!! The clubs in this area, SE VA, are all geared towards starting at A, getting to B, then back to A and leaving. I love to zig zag and take the road less traveled and see what I can find. I have plenty of structure in my life so I look to shy away from that when I retreat to the woods/wilderness.
 
franchisekid said:
Yes, I am the exact same way!!! The clubs in this area, SE VA, are all geared towards starting at A, getting to B, then back to A and leaving. I love to zig zag and take the road less traveled and see what I can find. I have plenty of structure in my life so I look to shy away from that when I retreat to the woods/wilderness.
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go to a MEC or similar outdoor oriented store. Post a notice with your basic requirements for hiking companions with a small pic of you in your bush gear with pack on.
Put a little humour in your script about your meandering, your not alone.
You will get a few replies from like minded or just curious, if your single it could pay off as well.(did for me 15 yrs ago)
 
My friend leads hikes and I've gone with him to an area he knew(but I didn't) and then once I got to the part I knew we split off.

IMO this is a good way to learn the territory and at the same time get some solitude.:thumbup:
 
I think if you're going to do the club thing, you have to respect the other members. I belong to a backpacking club and a primitive skills club.

When I'm backpacking, I'm moving along, it's more of an athletic weekend. If someone wonders off, we'll assume he or she is either lost or hurt and go back looking for him. Not so cool if they're just bumming.

When I'm with the primitive skills club, on the other hand, we go backwoods camping and everyone is free to do whatever.

You just have to pick you're poison for the weekend and stick with it. Or go out alone.
 
I joined a local hiking club because I don't have any friends around here that hike or backpack. What I found was that the vast majority of members are over 70 retirees who mostly plan bike trips, canoe trips and ski trips. On top of that their trips generally involve a three hour drive to and from the start point. I really would just like to hike in the Catskills or Adirondacks (both of which are an hour or less away from me) but they almost never seem to do that. Needless to say I'm a bit disappointed with the group I joined. Just to add, I've got nothing against retirees, but it would be nice to hike with people a little closer to my own age.
 
Brad "the butcher";7827691 said:
go to a MEC or similar outdoor oriented store. Post a notice with your basic requirements for hiking companions with a small pic of you in your bush gear with pack on.
Put a little humour in your script about your meandering, your not alone.
You will get a few replies from like minded or just curious, if your single it could pay off as well.(did for me 15 yrs ago)
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Did you tell her your name was "Brad the butcher" before, or after your first hike?!:p
 
franchisekid said:
Did you tell her your name was "Brad the butcher" before, or after your first hike?!:p
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Dude I was working in slaughterhouse from 15 to 27 in Hippie Vancouver.
Would always tell them I drove forklift in a warehouse.

Dated a smokin hot dreadlocked blond vegan (who bathed and shaved)for 6 months, met her at an MEC gear exchange they have once or twice a year.
Wicked(heh heh...) hiking partner with all the frills.
No rare steaks when we went out I tell you, tried to keep it to hikes, weekend camping and clubs/pubs far from my home.

Until we went to a pub that was a little closer to my municipality. Walk in and hear "Hey it's Brad the butcher" super loud and a couple of my younger brothers friends start chatting it up. Within 60 seconds of her questioning the frickin idjit's spill without clueing in to my glaring.

She went white started gearing me and I fessed up, dodged/blocked a couple slaps until I barked at her to cool it, she never called again. Unless you count 4 or 5 late morning drunken rants involving her friends and me getting beaten, it started to annoy.

Met them at their fav pub next weekend with a half dozen of the boys from the kill floor and grabbed a table beside them. Never seen a bunch of tatooed skaters/punkers jam out so fast when they saw what men that work hard for a living actually look like.

My revenge on my bro's retard buddies at one of my parties a few months later is another story.
 
CaptInsano said:
lol i can't say that I've ever been threatened by a vegan
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I used to take muay thai downtown 15 yrs ago for a year and a half and one of the toughest and meanest guys there was a full vegan.
Rice and beans no milk meat fish etc, he had it down to a science at about 6'3 and 195 at no more than 6% bodyfat.
He spent his first 16 years in Croatia before moving here and would not talk about it, his dad looked like a jail tattooed prizefighter, served in that 1990's fiasco.
That guy used to destroy people at tournaments, he had IBS and was the only way he did not get sick and skinny. Amazing endurance but I would slit my throat if I had to eat that way.
There is a lot of tough vegans around the world.
 
Brad "the butcher";7828024 said:
Dude I was working in slaughterhouse from 15 to 27 in Hippie Vancouver.
Would always tell them I drove forklift in a warehouse.

Dated a smokin hot dreadlocked blond vegan (who bathed and shaved)for 6 months, met her at an MEC gear exchange they have once or twice a year.
Wicked(heh heh...) hiking partner with all the frills.
No rare steaks when we went out I tell you, tried to keep it to hikes, weekend camping and clubs/pubs far from my home.

Until we went to a pub that was a little closer to my municipality. Walk in and hear "Hey it's Brad the butcher" super loud and a couple of my younger brothers friends start chatting it up. Within 60 seconds of her questioning the frickin idjit's spill without clueing in to my glaring.

She went white started gearing me and I fessed up, dodged/blocked a couple slaps until I barked at her to cool it, she never called again. Unless you count 4 or 5 late morning drunken rants involving her friends and me getting beaten, it started to annoy.

Met them at their fav pub next weekend with a half dozen of the boys from the kill floor and grabbed a table beside them. Never seen a bunch of tatooed skaters/punkers jam out so fast when they saw what men that work hard for a living actually look like.

My revenge on my bro's retard buddies at one of my parties a few months later is another story.
Click to expand...

Hilarious story :thumbup:
 
canadiantrailman said:
I have looked into a number of hiking clubs and from the photos of club members and their bylaws, none of them appear to be carrying a knife or permit weapons of any kind. They seem more geared to social outings and walks in nature without giving any preparation for potential mishaps while out on the trail. I think it would be great to see hiking/survival skills clubs.
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I was wondering about that too but one of the clubs I'm looking at actually had a knife in there ten essentials list.:eek: Crazy for sheeple I know.:D I think I'm gonna give it a shot.
 
Brad "the butcher";7828403 said:
I used to take muay thai downtown 15 yrs ago for a year and a half and one of the toughest and meanest guys there was a full vegan.
Rice and beans no milk meat fish etc, he had it down to a science at about 6'3 and 195 at no more than 6% bodyfat.
He spent his first 16 years in Croatia before moving here and would not talk about it, his dad looked like a jail tattooed prizefighter, served in that 1990's fiasco.
That guy used to destroy people at tournaments, he had IBS and was the only way he did not get sick and skinny. Amazing endurance but I would slit my throat if I had to eat that way.
There is a lot of tough vegans around the world.
Click to expand...

I don't doubt it. I think I would rather get my ass beat and still eat meat. :D
 
I think there was a guy on the ultimate fighter who was a vegan. Vegetarian at least.
 
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