About Hiking Hikers Hiking Group

HIKING CAN BE DANGEROUS. HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

IMPORTANT TRAIL & SAFETY INFORMATION!

Summer in Arizona: It's...FREAKING HOT! | HYPOTHERMIA...in Arizona?
BASIC FIRST AID & FIRST AID KIT | Hydration | Sun Protection
Trail Etiquette | Leave No Trace Principles
The Twelve Essentials for Backcountry Survival (CAMRA)
Dogs on the Trail | Snakes on the Trail
Bugs, Flowers, and Snakes...Oh, My!
Volunteer Opportunities
Parks and Preserves: Local, State and National
Arizona's Highs & Lows: Peaks & Canyons
Resource Guide

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YOU GOT QUESTIONS?... WE GOT ANSWERS!!

What kind of Group is this?
We are a group of kind, considerate, helpful, thrifty...wait! Wrong group! Anyway, the Hiking Hikers Hiking (3H) IS a great group of people from all walks of life and skill levels who welcome others who enjoy hitting the trails. Neither trail runners nor plodders, except where prudent, we seek to maintain, if not improve and occasionally challenge, our hiking skills. We hike regularly, backpack often, and socialize off the trail occasionally.

Is this a Singles Group?
NO, this is NOT a Singles Group. However, our membership does consist of Married Couples, Committed Couples and Families as well as Singles. Our group thrives on the diversity of its members!

Is this a Club?
Nope, not a club. There are no officers, leaders, blood-letting or dues. Organizers and assistants are here solely to facilitate group hikes and maintain the Calendar. All group members are encouraged to participate on all levels: join a hike; lead a hike; schedule a hike or event.

Who is responsible for this Group?
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. When you registered with Meetup.com, you had to tick a little box noting that you read and understood the Terms of Service. Oh, you didn't really read it? Well, go back and read it, especially Section 6, which states that YOU are responsible for your own personal safety and that WE do not assume any responsibility or liability for you or your stuff. That said...

HIKING CAN BE DANGEROUS. HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Is there a membership fee?
Nope. Membership in this fabulous group is FREE. Lucky you! However, Meetup charges the Organizer a monthly service fee to host the 3H website. To help offset the costs associated with site maintenance, Ramada rentals and other group-associated purchases (2-way radios, hiking books, maps), a dollar donation from 3H members is greatly appreciated. The donation is collected on Saturday hikes only.

How easy or difficult are the Hikes?
Hikes are rated as Easy, Moderate, Moderately-Difficult, or Difficult. An Easy hike consists of a level trail with little or no elevation or grade change, whereas a Difficult hike covers varied terrain with significant elevation and grade increases. READ THE TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS! Assess your abilities and match them to the trail accordingly. If you get winded walking to the mailbox, do not sign up for a Moderate or Difficult hike! Chances are that you weigh more than any of us want to carry out, so we'll strip you naked and leave you for the coyotes! Hey! READ THE TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS!

Why are there RSVP limits on some hikes?
The number of RSVPs allowed for any given hike are determined by a number of factors, such as...

The HIKE LEADER: The hike leader may prefer smaller, more manageable groups. Can you remember the names of all the 3H members on your last hike? Are you willing to wait in the parking lot until the 50th 3H hiker comes off the trail? Please RESPECT the difficulty of this sometimes monumental task.

The HIKE LOCATION: According to rules established by the Parks Service and the BLM, a limit of 15 hikers per group is imposed and enforced in Wilderness Areas in an effort to reduce trail impacts. These limits help to preserve the trails and the environment for the ensured enjoyment of everyone in future years. Please RESPECT these limits!

The DIFFICULTY OF THE HIKE: Trying to keep track of a group of 20 or more hikers of varying skill levels on a trail is difficult at best. Imagine trying to keep track of that many hikers over a 10+ mile stretch or while scrambling up a goat trail. Has anyone seen So-and-So?

What is my obligation to the Group?
Volunteer to organize or lead a hike or activity! Although we do have an organizer and several assistant organizers, it is virtually impossible for the few to accommodate the needs of the masses (all 1000+ members). Unfortunately, not every hike posted will meet the individual requirements of each member pertaining to days off work, temperature, location, or skill level.

However, if there is a trail that you have conquered or would like to explore, let us know and we'd be happy to post it on the calendar. All you have to do is MEET & GREET the other members. If every member were to volunteer to lead their favorite hike, there would be something on the calendar every day of the week for a year or more! Definition of MEET & GREET.

What is the point of the Member Profile?
The Member Profile tells us what your skill level is, who you are, and where you have hiked. A picture helps us identify you as a group member at the carpool location or trailhead.

What are the Rules of this Group?
The rules for this group are as follows:

RULE 1: You must wear bunny ears to every hike. Okay, not really. But you are expected to comply with the rules imposed and enforced by the local municipalities and parks service where we hike. Of course, this is a personal choice. But if you get hauled away by the authorities for carving your initials into a tree or setting the forest on fire, we will disavow all knowledge of who you are.



RULE 2: You do not have to like everyone in the group or on the trail, but you do have to respect them and their abilities. If someone hikes slower or faster than you do, either fall back or speed up and do not whine. See Trail Etiquette.

What if I can't finish the hike?
NEVER leave the trail without letting someone know! Tell the Lead Hiker or the Sweep (also affectionately known as the "ASS", which is short for "Assistant") that you need to leave and someone will return with you to the trailhead. We take a head count at the beginning, during, and end of the hike. We can officially lose 10 percent of the total number of hikers on any given trail---you do not want to be counted in that percentage! See The Essentials for Backcountry Survival (CAMRA).

SUGGESTIONS FOR A BETTER HIKING EXPERIENCE:

• Get sufficient REST the night before a longer hike.
  
• Hydrate BEFORE the hike.
  
• Maintain hydration DURING and AFTER the hike.
  
• FUEL your body properly BEFORE the hike.
  
• REFUEL during the hike.
  
• STRETCH occasionally.
  

Do I have to RSVP for every Hike?
Nope, not necessary. But the group would like to know, once in a while, why you aren't participating in some of the hikes. If you RSVP with a 'NO', and tell us why you can't attend, we may be able to schedule hikes that you can go on. Of course, you are always welcome to schedule and lead a hike! (Hint, hint.)

How can I ebb the tide of e-mail messages from Meetup?
Go to your Meetup Account and change the e-mail settings in the Memberships & Communications section. Or see the Too Many E-Mail Messages page for instructions on establishing filters for various e-mail providers.

Are ORANGE PEELS Biodegradable?
NO! Well, okay, they are biodegradable. However, even seemingly harmless organic material such as orange peels and apple cores take FOREVER (read: years) to breakdown in dry desert regions. If you want to take the time to smash the peel from your orange into a million tiny fragments, grab a rock and have at it! Otherwise, PACK OUT ALL ORANGE PEELS AND OTHER RUBBISH! See Leave No Trace: The Seven Principles!

Happy trails to you!


NOTE: To other Hiking or Backpacking groups:
Someone once said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So, if you would like to copy portions of this page, you may do so as long as you acknowledge as much and link back to this page including the text below. (Nods to the PMRG.)

Portions of this page were copied from the HIKING HIKERS HIKING GROUP ABOUT US page.

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