OUR FOUR HIKING GROUPS AND DIFFICULTY LEVELS
Below, in ascending order of difficulty, is a description of our four hiking groups and levels. For each level, we have provided guidance as to what your hiking experience should be to hike with a group. This experience should be recent and mountain hiking. Relying on what was done a year or years ago or on a flat path is dangerous. When stating the time it takes you to do a hike, it is start to finish, including all rest and lunch stops. The "climb" part of these descriptions is critical; hiking on flat terrain is no measure of the difficulty of a hike with climb. Please start conservatively and work up; it is no fun to be unable to keep up with a hike.
FRIDAY EASY HIKERS
Easy Hikers go at an easier pace and with more stops than any of the other groups. These hikes are about 3 miles in length and have no more than 300’ of climb. The regular start time is at 9:30 am at the BI-Lo Assembly Area.
To go on one of these hikes, you should be able to hike 3 miles with 300 feet of climb.
MONDAY PISGAH HIKERS
Monday Pisgah Hikers move along at a moderate pace with a moderate amount of climb. These hikes are usually less than 5 miles in length. The regular start time is at 9:30am at the Kmart Assembly Area.
Do not choose this group for your initial hike with us unless you have recently hiked 4 miles with 600 feet of climb.
WEDNESDAY STRIDERS
Wednesday hikes are at a faster pace and with less frequent stops then the Monday Hikes. Some of the hikes are more than 5 miles in length. The regular start time is 9:30am at the Kmart Assembly Area.
Do not choose this group for your initial hike with us unless you have recently hiked 5 miles with 1000 feet of climb. (This is not the most difficult hiking this group does, but it is a minimum actual, recent experience for joining this group.)
FRIDAY HOOFERS
These hikes are the longest, have more climb, and are the most strenuous of the four groups. They can be 10 miles in length (or more) and can have as much as 3500’ climb. (This bunch moves really fast!) The regular start time is 9:00am at the Kmart Assembly Area.
Do not choose this group for your initial hike with us unless you have recently hiked 8 miles with 2000 feet of climb in 4 hours. (This is not the most difficult hike this group does, but it is a minimum actual, recent experience for joining this group.) Check the schedule; the hike may be far more difficult that 8 miles with 2000 feet of climb; if you are not certain of your present fitness level, do not start with one of these hikes.