The Unexpected Magic of Group Hikes

I was never one for group hikes. Or, well..... group anything. Actually... people. Just people in general. I mean, I’m an absolute gem....obviously..... and anyone lucky enough to have me in their life should count their blessings....well according to me anyway.

So, naturally, when I donned my crown as “the last of the great adventurers” and fully embraced my inner mountain recluse, the idea of group hikes was about as appealing as... well, people. Ick. But life has a funny way of humbling you (and dragging you out of your comfort zone).

So there I was, reluctantly joining group hikes. At first, it was about as comfortable as a porcupine hug. Socially awkward me in a sea of strangers? Fantastic.

But then something weird started happening. Familiar faces began popping up, and I started feeling... comfortable. Before I knew it, I wasn’t just “putting up” with group hikes—I was actually looking forward to them. Who am I?

So what is it about group hikes that turned me into this semi-social creature? One word: camaraderie.

It’s that unspoken bond that forms when you’re all out there, struggling up the same soul-crushing inclines, wading through streams that might as well be rivers, and cursing at the same slippery rocks that are definitely out to get you.

It’s not about who you are off the trail. What does matter is that you're all stuck in the same sweaty, miserable situation, pushing towards the same goal. Step by step, you’re all in it together—whether you like it or not.

And there’s something magical about that shared struggle. You cheer each other on when the going gets tough, laugh together over clumsy missteps (because yes, someone always faceplants.....me, I always faceplant), and celebrate the small victories, like finally reaching the summit or finding the perfect shaded resting spot.......or climbing the ladder!!! It’s raw and real in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere in life.

It’s not just about the destination, though; it’s about the journey and the people you share it with. A good group will make you feel like you belong—even when you’re sweating and grumbling halfway up a mountain. And the right group? They’ll go beyond cheering; they’ll become your lifeline. They’ll share their water when yours runs out and lend a hand when the terrain gets tricky.

And the beauty of it all? These bonds don’t rely on knowing the ins and outs of someone’s life. You might never know their last name (or in my case even their first name), what they do for a living, or even why they agreed to join this questionable hike in the first place, but for those hours on the trail, you’re a team—a weird, wonderful, sweaty, slightly mental team. It’s like a temporary family built on shared pain, questionable decisions, and the occasional muttered expletive under your breath. But hey, at least you’ve got each other

That, my friends, is camaraderie.

So, yes, consider this my semi-reluctant, socially-awkward ode to group hikes. Who knew “people-ing” could actually be tolerable?

Oh, and let’s not forget, with group hikes there’s always someone to lead the way. So I can focus on being my dazzling, antisocial self without getting lost. Win-win, really.

Wow, look at me—sounding like I moonlight for Hallmark. Somebody stop me.