The ORIGINAL, LARGEST and MOST ACTIVE outdoors group in the Carolinas! Often imitated but never duplicated!

Triangle Hiking and Outdoors Group (aka THOG) is the premier outdoor adventure group in central North Carolina. With over 3000+ members and 300+ events a year, we offer a comprehensive array of exciting adventures in the Carolinas and beyond! We are the ORIGINAL Meetup hiking group and #1 in the Carolinas. Membership is FREE and open to any adults over the age of 21 years old. Our members range in age from 21 to 70+ years old, although the majority of our members are in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Our membership base is diverse and includes members who are singled, married and partnered.

Our Activities

Photo Gallery : The Spirit of THOG - Member Photos from the Summer of 2010

Our regular activities include walking, local hiking, day trips, camping, backpacking and paddling. Depending on the season, we offer additional activities such as hanggliding, zip-lining, indoor rock climbing, and snow skiing). The majority of our events are hiking events, that allow old and new residents to enjoy the great outdoors and scenic areas around the Triangle area.

Photos from L to R: Cascades (VA), Yoga on Harper Creek Falls (NC), Campfire, Whitewater paddling on the Chattooga (SC/GA)

Photos from L to R: Zipline - Richlands Creek, Skiing - Winterplace (WV), Hang gliding at Jockey's Ridge (NC), Backpacking Paria (UT/AZ)

Why join THOG?

We know there are several outdoor groups in the Triangle area to choose from. When you join THOG you are joining the BEST group in the Carolinas. Our volunteer board consists of some of the most experienced and knowledgable individuals in the Triangle area.

1) Experience counts! We were the first Meetup-based hiking group in the Carolinas and have hosted over 1200+ events since our inception. We are now in our 5th year of operation and continue to lead the way by providing unique and innovative events for our members!

2) Member exclusives! Throughout the calendar year, we offer events that are only available to THOG members. Events include workshops and hikes on private property where we have secured permission in advance! 

3) Most importantly, we have great members who are fun and adventurous but also safety conscious and responsible.

We are an INDEPENDENT group and are not associated or affiliated with any other hiking or outdoor groups. In other words, there are other groups that claim to be like THOG, but they are not! On rare occasions, we will co-host events with other groups, but these will be clearly identified on the THOG site.

What THOG is not ...

- THOG is not a singles group and those looking to join THOG for the sole purpose of finding dates will be disappointed. (* On a serious note, if you are on the receiving end of unwanted advances, harassing e-mails or stalking behaviors, please let us know by contacting a Volunteer or Organizer)

- THOG does not condone or engage in careless, reckless or irresponsible activities or behaviors.

We expect that members will do their socializing on the trail, at camp, or on the water! Thus, you won't find social mixers, dining events or parties on our site. What you will find are some of the most unique outdoor adventures in the Triangle area. Whether its hiking, bicycling, zip-lining, backpacking, rafting, kayaking, snow skiing, snowshoeing, or camping, we've likely done it!

We are a VOLUNTEER based group and do not collect ANY fees or dues. Volunteers and Organizers are selected based on their experience and committment to the group. We require perspective Volunteers and Organizers attend a minimum of 3 events prior to consideration for such positions.

What are you waiting for? Join THOG Today!

THOG Reference Pages: 

New Members FAQ :  http://hiking.meetup.com/7/pages/New_Member_FAQ/
THOG Code of Conduct : http://www.meetup.com/Adventures/messages/boards/thread/8058461
THOG Photo Album : http://www.meetup.com/adventures/photos
THOG Calendar : http://www.meetup.com/adventures/calendar
THOG Message Boards : http://www.meetup.com/adventures/boards
Additional THOG photos : http://www.trihoc.com/THOG

External Weblinks: Warning! These links are presented for your reference only and the content is not maintained or endorsed by THOG!

Hiking guide @ Triangleoutdoors.com : http://www.triangleoutdoors.com
Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail : http://www.ncmst.org
Triangle Land Conservancy : http://www.tlc-nc.org
North Carolina State Parks : http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/main.php
Great Smoky Mountains National Park : http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm