What we’re about
Enjoying the beauty of nature and simple pleasures of life is my goal. We are here for
- Safe hiking and exercise (for some of us also an easy way to lose weight)
- Getting to know people and being here for each other
- Developing skill sets for the outdoors
- Healing body, mind, and spirit
- Living intentionally
I am very grateful for the help leading of my Event Organizer(s) Jeff.
Let’s support each other in our fitness goals! MOTION IS LOTION FOR YOUR BODY AND MIND!
Now for all the important stuff:
HIKE RATINGS
We do super low impact easy, moderate, moderately strenuous, strenuous, and very strenuous hikes. Please check each hike for the ratings of the same! For Hike Difficulty Ratings (R(#)) and Calculations See bit.ly/HikeRating2 . OnB = Out and Back or In and Out. Loop = Loop (CW= Clockwise; CCW = Counterclockwise. Lollipop = OnB with Loop. Social(s) = Unmarked Trails.
Start out on an easy hike and get to know the hike organizer regarding pace etc.
SAFETY!!
Abiding by ALL THE SAFETY ADVICE on this page Is A PREREQUISITE FOR PARTICIPATION in any hike offered here.
!! PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ON AND OFF TRAIL HIKING, ROCK CLIMBING, CROSSING STREAMS AND TRAVELING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN ARE HAZARDOUS ACTIVITIES, AND YOU ARE VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THESE ACTIVITIES AND/OR INSTRUCTION WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGER INVOLVED, AND YOU HEREBY AGREE TO ACCEPT, AND YOU VOLUNTARILY ASSUME, ANY AND ALL RISK OF DEATH, INJURY, LOSS, OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY.
BEFORE HIKING WITH US, you must BE HEALTHY AND FIT FOR THE ACTIVITY. Check with your doctor to be sure you are cleared for hiking activity.
Plenty of WATER, SUN PROTECTION, GOOD LAYER-ABLE CLOTHING, AND EXCELLENT FOOTWEAR make for a superior rather than miserable hike experience.
BEFORE HIKING WITH US, YOU AGREE TO HAVE WATCHED the 2 "10 ESSENTIALS OF HIKING" videos listed below. The way they are generally listed has changed over the years. Today they are often grouped as Food, Water, Fire, Fix It, Insulation, Illumination, Sun, Shelter, and Navigation. I have expanded these to include 8 more areas for a total of 18. These are often presumed to be included in the above 10, but in my experience are often overlooked and should be listed as additional and separate categories. 10 just sounds catchier than 18. Let us go over all of them sometime together. One is listed below in this introduction. Can you guess, which one? For starters, please watch:
What are The Ten Essentials? || REI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-Ae6OKjb6I&pp=ygUYMTAgZXNzZW50aWFscyBmb3IgaGlraW5n
10 Essentials for Hiking | Most Important Things for Hikers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdcjZCf2klU
My MOTTO IS "LET US HIKE ALONE TOGETHER." This means you should be able to hike each hike on your own without guidance. If each of us thinks and acts this way, we can truly support each other. An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure. This facilitates having fun instead of inviting crises.
A HIKING APP ON A FULLY CHARGED CELLPHONE is a great idea. I recommend https://www.komoot.com as my favorite free hiking app for a host of reasons. (I do not get paid for this recommendation.)
Abide by safe and proper HIKING ETIQUETTE. For a basic list: Leave no trace. Carry out everything. Stay on trail. Honor right of way (1st horse, up-hill hiker, hiker, cyclist last except it is nice to make room for them). Leave wild animals alone. Lower voice. Do not share playing music. Do not crowd others. Again, look out for one another.
Here are 3 ETIQUETTE VIDEOS of suggestions some have made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEmo13gNtkE , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDbTqeyK358&pp=ygUQSGlraW5nIEV0aXF1ZXR0ZQ%3D%3D , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5snAe-hRas
Using HIKING STICKS helps you get a better workout and a more sure footing: https://youtu.be/7q2YwOE4okA
Consider SNAKE GAITERS for protection against snakebites as well as PEPPER SPRAY for self-defense. Hopefully you will never need them, but if you do, your life may depend on them.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL- AND ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR SAFETY ETC.
Welcome to the NEW MEMBERS of my group!
Please CHECK EACH HIKE DESCRIPTION!
Please check in the morning before each hike for cancellations due to the weather or for whatever reason. THUNDERSTORMS WITH LIGHTNING MEAN POSTPONING OR ABORTING THE HIKE! PLEASE CHECK YOUR MEETUP APP FOR LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS!
ADHERE TO ALL MEETUP.COM RULES. Additionally, all participants must have signed up for participation in a hike. Cancellation must be made at least 1 hour prior to hike. No-shows may have their membership cancelled. All membership and participation is at group organizer's discretion in any case. You must be a US citizen, legal immigrant, or proper visa holder, all in good standing. You must follow outdoor areas' jurisdiction laws.
CHILDREN are welcome, if accompanied by their parent or guardian.
See whether DOGS are permitted for a particular hike. If you bring a dog, please obey the local, state, and/or federal leash laws. A maximum 6-foot leash is required by law in most places.
NO SMOKING on the hikes! Not healthy for you and others around you! Thank you.
Be ready for hikes 5 MINUTES BEFORE the designated start time. Thank you.
Help others by just hiking. Here's a link to walk for the CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE: http://charitymiles.org/
Each ORGANIZER has their unique style. Please see details for each planned hike.
If you would like to help me HOST A HIKE, please message me! I would be happy to have all members voice their ideas. Let's gain fitness and lose weight by just walking!
To purchase an ANNUAL PASS for Prescott National Forest, go to 344 S. Cortez or call 928-443-8000. City day passes are required on some hikes. Wednesdays tend to be free in both city and national forests at the time of this writing.
OKAY THEN...
Glad you read through all this and watched the videos. Hiking as a sport has a continuous learning curve. Feel free to ask your questions on trail.
I will answer additional questions beforehand as able. Please know my schedule is busy, if I cannot for some reason get back to you.
NOW LET'S GO AND HAVE SOME FUN!
