Introduce Yourself

[Ciara C]

Hello, everyone 🙂

Growing up a Hoosier, I’ve always lived on flat land. My husband and I moved out here a year ago and we love the scenery. I’m new to hiking and am quickly getting into it. We live in Costa Mesa, so I’ve primarily hiked in Orange County. I’ve done a few group hikes through Irvine Ranch Conservancy, but I’d love to meet more people who enjoy the sport.

Not sure how close-knit of a community this is, but I thought I’d introduce myself. 🙂

[Gavin S]

Hello all. My name is Gavin and I live in North LA county (Santa Clarita). I grew up hiking all over the Santa Monica Mountaina and have backed a bunch when I was younger and first married. Took the kids to Bishop over the summer for a nice 3 day trip.

Currently I am trying to build back up after a work injury to do the JMT.

I’ve been hiking all over the Santa Clarita area to get ready for longer through hikes.

[Angelina U]

Hi! My name is Angelina and I am from San Bernardino. I have been hiking since I met my husband over 6 years ago. He introduced me to trails and international travel. I introduced him to marathon running and veganism. It’s been a good exchange. We both recently signed up for the Six Peak challenge and I excited to put hiking as a bigger priority in 2017.

[Katie Joy]

Hi everyone! I’m Katie Joy–a recent LA-transplant from Seattle. My brothers and I grew up hiking/backpacking together in Montana. We all live in different states now, but get together every summer for a backpacking adventure back home–this past summer we hiked into the Bob Marshall wilderness for some pretty insane fly fishing. This year, we’re doing things a little bit differently by engaging in a friendly #siblingrivalry competition to see who can tally the most peaks in our respective states. Mostly, it’s just a way for us to stay connected and committed to getting out as our lives get busier and more adult(ish).

So, with that in mind, I signed up for this challenge to give me a head start (because this big sister does not lose)! I’ll be moving onto some of Cali’s 14ers by this summer, and by next summer will also be attempt to thru-hike the JMT with one of my best buds from elementary school. Since I am so new to SoCal, I’d LOVE to meet other hikers. I love solo hiking, for sure, but definitely wouldn’t mind linking up with others from this challenge.

Cheers and happy hiking!

KJ

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[Christi D]

Hi All,
I have always loved to hike. I am 48 now and keep in decent shape due to my dirtbike obsession but lately my friend Betsy and I have decided to start getting in hiking shape in order to do some big hikes later. I live in Temecula Ca so we will start on 5 mile or less hikes in socal and work from there. I know there are some great trails near me, but I need to wait for some cooler weather. In the meantime, I will be hitting the gym to train. I look forward to this new chapter in life (though I will still ride by dirtbike). It’s great to find a forum like this and look forward to meeting some new friends with some experience in the area!

[rdvotaw1973]

Hi Everyone–

I just registered this past weekend and I’m sad that I didn’t register earlier. I’ve been referencing this website for hikes for a very long time and hadn’t realized the added benefits of registering. I’ve been hiking for years, but only since January have I been actively increasing the intensity of my hikes. Hiking is really the only form of exercise, besides Yoga, that I actually enjoy doing. I always feel more centered, at peace and good about myself after a hike. In January, I decided that I wanted to get serious about pursuing a goal to hike the JMT and lose weight in the process. I did not set out to do the Six Peak Challenge because I didn’t think I could ever do it. I started small with the Mt. Wilson hike and just kept doing the same hike every week for a few months. After a while, I got bored with it and decided to try Cucamonga in July and then Mt. Baldy. I skipped San Bernadino because I didn’t have a permit and went onto San Jacinto. Having completed San Jacinto, I asked myself what was stopping me from signing up for the Six Peak Challenge. The only thing stopping me was me and I think I can do this. Since January I’ve lost more than 60lbs and I’m very close to my goal weight. I’m actually the smallest I’ve been since I was in high school. I’m so excited to see what else I can accomplish because of this challenge.

[Daniel B]

Hi, My name is Dan and I stumbled upon SOCAL Hiker by chance looking for places to hike in southern California. I am originally from the east coast and this is my second time living in southern California. Last time I lived here I didn’t take advantage of the amazing hiking opportunities that California has to offer. I’m looking forward to completing the 2018 Six Peaks Challenge as well as attempting some of the more challenging hikes that are out there. More importantly I really want to get my children involved with the outdoors as well as developing their appreciation for it. I look forward to talking with you all, as well as learning from you! See you all on the trails!

[Normann D]

Hey everyone, My name is Normann. I’m born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. I, like I think think most of the people on the site, get grumpy if I cant get outside on a regular basis. Day hiking wherever I can in the surrounding area is how I get my fix most of the time. When I can, I travel the 395 to hike and fish. I hold a special place in my heart for the Bishop Creek area and all the alpine lakes you can see. Im looking forward to doing some backpacking in the near future, (Ill be coming to you all for help), along the JMT. Hope to see you all on the trail!!

[Paul M]

Hey all, although I’ve lived in Orange County, California since 1997 and have been hiking as long, I only found Jeff’s cool size recently. I’m originally from Northern Europe (Ireland/UK/Netherlands), bit of a mongrel really, and now a naturalized US citizen since 2006. I work on the medtech side of healthcare in Irvine so usually get weekends and vacations to hike. I also get the occasional long weekend. this summer we hiked Agnew Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows camping out for four nights. The only peak I climbed this year outside of the trails was Sitton Peak recently in the Cleveland National Forest. I’m keen to meet up with fellow hikers and form a small group for short thru hikes or even short vacation planning that involve trails. If things lighten up at work I would love to hike the JMT and maybe one day the PCT, time allowing. Feel free to reply here or email to [email protected]. I followed all the OC hikers I could find here already. Peace. Love, Paul

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[Paul M]

Hey Norman, I just joined here. Let me know if you’re in need of a hiking buddy. I live in the OC and often my wife goes out with me. Sometimes she doesn’t! Always cool to hike trail with someone who knows the area.

[Paul M]

Hey Christi, I’m a fellow biker, more trail and dirt than endure. I just sold my BMW R1200GS and am into a Ducati Multistrada now. My favorite thing is bike camping and Ive done some cool trips to Big Sur, Grand Canyon and Death Valley, Joshua Tree and the like. I live in the OC and often take Ortega up to the peak overlooking Elsinore. I hike up there too sometimes, recently did Sitton Peak. Looking forward to connecting.

[Paul M]

Hi Katie, I just signed up for the same reasons as you. My wife and are originally from Europe but we have been in SoCal for 25 years or more in her case. We hike often on weekends and vacations and are always looking to connect with nice people to join on the trail. Glad to meet here and hope we can connect.

[Paul M]

Hi Ciara, same name as my sisters oldest daughter in Germany! Pleased to meet. I just signed up and saw your post is 2016, so maybe you won’t even see this. If you’re still local (Im in Orange, CA), we can connect here. My wife and I hike weekends and this summer we did a four night thru hike from Agnew Meadows to Tuolumne on the JMT and it was my awakening. Im planning on a JMT thru hike now. Would love to find trail pals! Glad to connect here.

[Paul M]

Hey RDV – couldn’t find your name in the post, but pleased to meet. I just joined so am pinging these old posts. You never know. I live in Orange County and my wife and I hike most weekends and sometimes longer on vacation. Would also love to do a JMT thru hike. Maybe even the PCT one day. In the meantime Im thinking I still have time to do 6 peaks before year end, if it calls down. I did Sitton a couple of weeks ago and it was brutal at close to 100F! bad call and even with. gallon of water we came up a little short. Looking to acquaint with nice people for trail hikes and good tips. Please dot connect here.

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[Ron J]

Hey all, I just stumbled upon this forum/blog. Born in southern California, but moved to rural east/central southern Oregon when I was but knee high. Spent time working in Nevada, Cali, and Utah desert out of high school. Finally grew roots in Western Washington, for better, worse, or wet! I have always loved to be out of doors, mostly away from people. I have spent a lot of time sea kayaking, both day trips and extended, as well as road and gravel cycling (even some amateur racing), hiking, backpacking, snow shoeing, and snow camping. And I also have a photography hobby. For the past few years, hiking and backpacking has taken precedent of sea kayaking. I was a boy scout at one time. I’m a member of the Mountaineers Organization in Washington, where I participate in sea kayaking, hiking, snow shoeing and alpine scrambling. Cheers!

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