What we’re about
Are you looking for a challenge?
Do you want to improve your physical fitness?
Do you want to learn new skills that build your ability to tackle a variety of outdoor environments?
Do you want to make lasting friendships?
And do you want to explore the sites, culture, and cuisine of our amazing state?
Then this is the group for you!
We tend toward more challenging outings but welcome all levels and abilities. If you’re not sure if you are ready for a particular outing, contact the organizer(s) for suggestions and let’s see what you need to succeed.
ACTIVITIES WE DO:
- Day hikes
- Backpacking
- Car camping
- Mountaineering
- Skills workshops
- Travel to unique and remote destinations were few meet ups travel. We cover the entire state.
FUTURE ACTIVITIES we are planning:
- Scrambles
- Mountain bike/scramble combination
- Trail running
Outings are based on:
- Hiking Idaho: A guide to the State's Greatest Hiking Adventures by Luke Kratz.
#
Most of outings have small group sizes to maximize friendships building and minimize our impact of the environment and not crowd the trails.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZER:
I am a local physician with a love for hiking, backpacking, and Mountaineering. Read my biography here:
Biography
Hey can I get a ride…?
I received rides most of my life. I have hitch hiked a few times as well including on a beer truck across Lithuania. Sometimes we need a ride or just want to socialize. Carpooling is encouraged. If you need a ride direct message the organizer (s). Attendees can also volunteer. While all trips are free unless otherwise stated, help with gas is always a nice gesture if you are carpooling. Suggested gas donation is $0.10 per mile per passenger.
What about the after hike grub?
To support local communities, get to know each other, and explore local culture where we hike, backpack, and scramble we typically eat at local restaurants. The organizer(s) try to keep restaurant costs under $30. Every once and a while we may splurge.
The weather is looking bad will the meet up be canceled?
As uphill athletes WE DO NOT LET WEATHER GET IN THE WAY. Instead, we adapt and learn to see the beauty of snow, rain, heat and storms. Idaho has a lot of “ bad” weather days. Should we give up and stay home most of the year? Of course if it’s dangerous to go out the meet up will be canceled. We take avalanche risk seriously. The organizer will tell the group about any specific gear requirements for the weather conditions ( including avalanche gear). Routes are planned to minimize avalanche risk where an issue.
HOW TO LEARN MORE
*Follow me on TikTok with hiking stories and educational resources @ Oregon hikers and backpackers.
*Join the WhatsApp group for additional trip information and non meet up opportunities. By invitation only
**What are the rules for uphill athletes?**Expectations/Policies:
* Be honest about your abilities.
* Be friendly and contribute to the group
* RSVP if you have a good chance of actually coming and don’t be late.
Read more:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fj7t4iJyDNZtkuCbFPpbjz55rZUf8Bxd_GKCrZTYjDA/edit?usp=sharing
## Release of Liability Agreement
#### You must read and agree to this Release of Liability to attend the Oregon Hikers and Backpacker - top 100 hikes Meetup events:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T0snei0AJwk7y7vyEkIiXtW2EwcbNVnYl89TTuLpMsc/edit?usp=sharing
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Jackson Peak (Day Hike) - Intermediate level and casual paceNeeds location
Come join me this Sunday for a summer hike up Jackson Peak. I did this in spring and very much enjoyed the views. Hopefully, we will make it to the fire outlook at the top - only a handful remaining in Idaho.
About a 30 minute drive past Idaho City (~2 hour drive). Contact me for additional details.For car pooling we can park at the Black Cliffs parking lot (43.53866° N, 116.09250° W) just East of Boise on Highway 21. If we leave by 7:00 we should be back at cars by about 7-8 PM conservatively.
This Jackson Peak, one of two Boise Mountains summits with this name, is located in the northeast corner of the range. Its summit has one of the biggest fire lookout setup in Idaho.
Read more:
https://www.idahoaclimbingguide.com/bookupdates/jackson-peak/
Mileage: 9.3 miles
Elevation gain: 3517 feet
Route:[ https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/jackson-peak](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/jackson-peak)
Time: Generally about 6.5 hrs.
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. Lots of switch backsPolicies:
* Please do not bring any alcohol or drugs
* * Leave no trace*
* If you are unable to complete, you may drop out at any time. However, you are responsible for your own transportation
* I am not a guide but a facilitator. Please come prepared to contribute to the objective. I put a significant amount of time planning to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants. By signing up, you agree to be responsible for your own safety. Please inform the organizer as soon as possible with any cancellations but no later than 7 pm the night before the meet up. Last minute sign ups welcomed. No shows/no communication is unfair to others who are on the waitlist and makes planning difficult for the organizer. Please review our no-show policy. If you are sick, please stay home and hike with us another time. I reserve the right to take photos and videos of group members in order to promote the the group.I understand that during my participation in this Outing, I may be exposed to risks and hazards, foreseen or unforeseen, which are inherent and cannot be eliminated without diminishing the Outing. These inherent risks include, but are not limited to, the dangers of serious personal injury, property damage, and death (“Injuries and Damages”) from exposure to the hazards of travel, location, and weather. I agree that the Organizer (s) has not tried to contradict or minimize my understanding of these risks. I know that Injuries and Damages can occur by natural causes or activities of other persons, animals, trip members, trip leaders or third parties, either as a result of negligence or because of other reasons. I understand that risks of such Injuries are involved in adventure travel such as this Outing and I accept that I must exercise extra care for my own person and for others around me in the face of such hazards. I understand that on this Outing there may not be rescue or medical facilities or expertise necessary to deal with the Injuries to which I may be exposed. To the fullest extent allowed by law, I agree to WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY the Organizer from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from Injuries and Damages, even if caused by the negligence of the Organizer or other participants in any way connected with this Outing. I further agree to HOLD HARMLESS the Organizer (s) from any claims, losses, Injuries and Damages caused by my own negligence while a participant on the Outing. I understand and intend that this assumption of risk and release is binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. I have read the Outing description and this Release of Liability in its entirety and I freely and voluntarily assume all risks of such Injuries and notwithstanding such risks, I agree to participate in the Outing. I have read, I understand, and I agree to this Release of Liability.
- Jennie Lake (Idaho) and Wolf Mt: Beginner's Backpack (overnight)Ten mile Park and Ride, Meridian, ID
Backpacking season has started and I thought we'd start off with this beginner's backpack to Jennie Lake. While this is a beginner's backpack, all are welcome.
The best hikes are the ones that capture your attention from start to finish. That's Jennie Lake Trail, a route that provides access to an alpine lake tucked into the Boise National Forest north of Idaho City at nearly 8,000 feet. Features include the rushing sounds and cool views of Bear Creek, with occasional waterfalls.Miles: 9 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 1968 ft
Route: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/jennie-lake-trail
Difficulty: Definitions used by Idaho Hikers and Backpackers:"Beginner’s backpack: These trips are designed for members with no or minimal experience. Members are learning to use their gear and how to adapt to eating and sleeping in the wilderness. Base weights may be heavier than average. They may feel uncomfortable with wind and rain while camping. The trip is suitable for any age. There will not be any significant elevation gain, hazards or navigation challenges. Backpackers are comfortable with a trip under 10 miles."
Itinerary:
We meet at 9:15 am at the Park and Ride. You can leave your car here overnight for free and carpool or drive to the trailhead yourself. I highly encourage you to carpool not to congest the trailhead parking. If you do take a carpool, it is a nice gesture to offer a donation to your driver. Here are some guidelines:
https://www.wasatchmountainclub.org/carpool-rates-and-guidelinesThe organizer will do a quick review of how to pack your backpack and do a gear check. We will then drive to the Jenny Lake Trailhead (2.25 minutes).
We will reach camp in about 2-3 hours, set up our tents, relax, cook dinner and spend the night.
The next morning we have a few options: group members can relax by the lake or join me for a hike to point 8610 and Wolf Mountain: https://www.explorumentary.com/adventure-blog/wolf-mountain-and-point-8610-via-jennie-lake-boise-national-forest
If you would like to do the hike, you need to wake up by 6 am.We will return by around 4 pm then next day.
What to bring:
You can find gear recommendations and a check list here:
Beginner's backpacking guidePolicies:
* Please do not bring any alcohol or drugs to the campsite**
* Leave no trace*
* If you are unable to complete, you may drop out at any time. However, you are responsible for your own transportationI am not a guide but a facilitator. Please come prepared to contribute to the objective. I put a significant amount of time planning to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants. By signing up, you agree to be responsible for your own safety. Please inform the organizer as soon as possible with any cancellations but no later than 7 pm the night before the meet up. Last minute sign ups welcomed. No shows/no communication is unfair to others who are on the waitlist and makes planning difficult for the organizer. Please review our no-show policy. If you are sick, please stay home and hike with us another time. I reserve the right to take photos and videos of group members in order to promote the the group.
I understand that during my participation in this Outing, I may be exposed to risks and hazards, foreseen or unforeseen, which are inherent and cannot be eliminated without diminishing the Outing.
These inherent risks include, but are not limited to, the dangers of serious personal injury, property damage, and death (“Injuries and Damages”) from exposure to the hazards of travel, location, and weather.
I agree that the Organizer (s) has not tried to contradict or minimize my understanding of these risks. I know that Injuries and Damages can occur by natural causes or activities of other persons, animals, trip members, trip leaders or third parties, either as a result of negligence or because of other reasons. I understand that risks of such Injuries are involved in adventure travel such as this Outing and I accept that I must exercise extra care for my own person and for others around me in the face of such hazards.
I understand that on this Outing there may not be rescue or medical facilities or expertise necessary to deal with the Injuries to which I may be exposed.
To the fullest extent allowed by law, I agree to WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY the Organizer from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from Injuries and Damages, even if caused by the negligence of the Organizer or other participants in any way connected with this Outing. I further agree to HOLD HARMLESS the Organizer (s) from any claims, losses, Injuries and Damages caused by my own negligence while a participant on the Outing.
I understand and intend that this assumption of risk and release is binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. I have read the Outing description and this Release of Liability in its entirety and I freely and voluntarily assume all risks of such Injuries and notwithstanding such risks, I agree to participate in the Outing. I have read, I understand, and I agree to this Release of Liability.
