Backpacking Clubs: are you in one?

[te_wa]

I have seen a rise of membership in my local Backpacking Club (a meetup.com group - http://www.meetup.com/Arizona-Backpacking/ ABC or Arizona Backpacking Club)
and im wondering if you are in a club, have ever had interest in joining a fun bunch of outdoors folks with the same interests as you.

I have had many great trips - hikes that i may have had on my list, or something i have been putting off waiting for the right weekend - and found that membership with the ABC has gotten me out more. I have done some of the hikes i have been wanting to do for a couple of years.. for instance I may have never gotten off my @r$e and hiked the Safford-Morenci trail, it was in the back of my mind for a few years but I finally did it this Spring.

I have found the club to be a great place for people of all skill levels to enjoy overnight camps in the wilds. SO, do you think its cool? (Being in a club, that is..)

I am organizing a few hikes and tagging along on a couple of others, Maxwell trail this month and next i'll be on the Chiricahua Crest and then leading a group on the Mt. Baldy loop in June.
I have such a great time hiking with the guys and gals from ABC that i recently just joined FRIENDS hiking club. Of course, there are members of HAZ that belong to both of these groups. One can never have too many options, ya know? ;)

[azbackpackr]

My pelli is different too. Joe must be bored.

[PaleoRob]

I don't think I have a custom 'pelli.

[big_load]

yeah, Alex your avatar does have that "come any closer and its a spork in the neck" like qualities

It's my own fault. I've been feeding her for over 25 years. She's habituated.

[jaysmith]

I am actually pretty new to backpacking, and was pretty curious as to whether I should join a group or not, since I don't know anyone who enjoys being outside like I do. (My friends wouldn't stay the night anywhere without cable and a shower!)
It's interesting to read everyone's different takes on backpacking with groups, and for the most part, I agree with big_load about small, personal groups being my preference.
But for someone new to the scene, would you all recommend that I join up with a group, or just keep going solo? I would love to go with other people, but I'd like to go with people around my age and with similar interests.

[te_wa]

but I'd like to go with people around my age and with similar interests

this, i feel, is the only fault of your reasoning..
backpacking is after all, one of the few enjoyments of life that can be shared with friends of all ages.
I have friends that enjoy sharing the backcountry experience with me, and although their love for nature and the reasons for it may differ slightly from mine, we are all still focused on the primary objective: getting outside without cable and showers. My close backpacking buddies differ in age of up to 40 years.

join ABC, you cannot go wrong.

[writelots]

I would love to go with other people, but I'd like to go with people around my age and with similar interests.

I agree with Te-wa that it's amazing how diverse groups seem to mesh in the backcountry. And, really, if you're backpacking, you're kinda got a built-in similar interest there! Try the group - if nothing else, you'll meet other like-minded hikers to add to your base of friends, and create the smaller, more intimate groups you're looking for...

[Jeffshadows]

I meet interesting people just being out, a lot of times. Wandering around to see who is camped around you in a backcountry setting is a good idea, anyway.

[jaysmith]

Very true, I guess I didn't mean that to sound as it did. I would be extremely happy to just get out with other people, I didn't mean to sound so picky i guess.
Thanks for the info about ABC! Sounds like a lot of fun! I think I might join up and meet some of you folks!

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, I meet a lot of diverse types, and that is actually kind of fun. Imagine backpacking the Grand Canyon with someone who's very fit and over 70 years old, for example. That is usually pretty fun, especially if they are life-long backpackers. They'll have some good stories to tell in the evenings.

At 56, if I keep going, I'm going to be in that category pretty soon!

[base871]

Ive always been a solo backpcker, but lately ive have been thinking about joining one.