ABOUT THE INDIANAPOLIS HIKING CLUB A Brief History | The Club Today | Hikes | Social Events | Club Organization Current Officers | Member Recognition A Brief History The Indianapolis Hiking Club was formed on January 23, 1957 by a group of Hoosiers who liked to hike and work on conservation projects, like the completion of the 22 mile Yellowwood Trail in Brown County. In the first year membership grew to 82. The constitution the founders adopted stated the Club's purpose was "To encourage a love of nature through the promotion of outdoor recreation in the form of hikes and outings, and to sponsor other activities incidental to the foregoing". The Indianapolis Hiking Club, which celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 2007, has grown and evolved through the years, but has always remained faithful to the goals of the founding members. In 2011 the Indianapolis Hiking Club scheduled a record 2,262 hikes, more than six a day. However for the first 20 years, the Club scheduled only one Sunday hike a week. It also sponsored a Christmas party, summer picnic, social and business meetings and weekend overnights, often in conjunction with other hiking clubs. The first Trail Blazer report (year in review) was published in January 1969. It recapped the Club's activities during 1968, which was representative of the Club's early years. In 1968 the membership grew to 165. Dues were $2.00 annually plus $.10 a hike. And it cost $.04 to mail the one page schedule. Only 52 Sunday hikes were scheduled, ranging from 1 to 13 miles with an average distance of 5 miles. The one mile hike was to see downtown Indy Christmas displays. Hikes typically drew 20-30 members and 10 or more guests and children. About half the hikes were to out-of-town locations we still hike today, including Brown County State Park, Morgan Monroe State Forest and Jackson State Forest. Hikers usually carpooled from the Indiana statehouse and the Board suggested reimbursing the driver $0.01 per mile. Members often enjoyed a cookout after a hike. Other notable events in the Club's history: 1958 "Trail Blazer" (little man with the hiking staff) becomes the Club logo 1963 Name tags were adopted 1967 Started tracking member mileage. Sorry no credit for Club's first 10 years 1970 Board sets a goal of at least one 10-20 mile hike a month 1974 Bill Larrison coins Club motto "Happiness - A step at a time" 1975 Pets banned from hikes 1976 Win Pulsifer pens lyrics for official Club song 1978 Saturday hikes and multiple hikes on the same day begin to appear 1979 Tom Patterson, the Club's all time mileage leader, reaches 1,000 miles 1979 First men's "Beauty Pageant" at Gnaw Bone camp 1981 Weekday hikes begin appearing on the schedule 1982 Club celebrates its Silver Anniversary with several major events 1983 First "self guided", set-your-own-pace hikes 1985 Club participates in its first German-American Volksmarch 1986 Ron Craig proposes a hike rating system, still used today 1987 Dues raised to $5.00 single and $8.00 for family 1989 Old tradition of collecting $.10 a hike is abolished 1991 Bill Murphy, first Club president, passes away 1997 Club celebrates its 40th anniversary 1998 First annual Club trip to Smoky Mountains National Park 2000 Reba Wooden develops Club website 2000 Single day distance record of 43 miles set by 5 hikers 2001 Halloween costumed hike, hay ride and wiener roast 2002 Carol Barnes completes the Appalachian trail for the 3rd year in a row 2003 Hikes scheduled in every Indiana State Park and State Forest and 7 states 2004 13,494 hikers complete 1,114 hikes, both records 2005 20 hikers complete 10 hike series across the state of Indiana (190 miles) 2006 Seven members set an incredible single day distance record of 62 miles 2006 Annual Achievement Award Program established 2007 Governor and Mayor declare January 23 "Indianapolis Hiking Club" day to recognize our 50th Anniversary 2007 Tom Patterson passed away after having accumulated a record 42,590 miles 2008 Club adopts a new logo showing both a man and a women hiker 2008 Seventy-five members attend week long trips to the Black Hills, SD and Grand Teton National Park 2009 Glee Crowder becomes the first winner of the Bill and Nell Larrison Pinnacle Award 2010 A winter hiking trip to Tucson, AZ draws 90 members and guests 2011 Long time Club patriarch and 47 year member Bill Larrison passed away on January 23 The Indianapolis Hiking Club has been serving its members and the community for 55 years. We are larger and more vibrant than ever, thanks, in large part, to an inspired vision, the efforts of countless volunteers and many wonderful traditions. While the main focus has always been hiking, it has been the camaraderie that's kept the Club thriving since 1957. The Club Today On October 1, 2011 (start of the Club fiscal year), the Indianapolis Hiking Club had 719 members, making us one of the largest hiking organizations in the country. Our members come from all races, creeds and national origins. We have slightly more women members than men. All age groups are represented (must be 18 to join) and the median member age is above 50. Most members live in and around Indianapolis, but it is not uncommon for people to drive from as far away as Lafayette, Brown County and nearby states to a hike. Members who have relocated to other states often maintain their membership and the close friendships developed over the years. Many physically challenged long tenured members still participate in the social events. A large percentage of our members share multiple interests related to the outdoors and keeping fit and participate in other related organizations, such as backpacking and biking clubs, the Sierra Club, photography clubs, bird watching and conservation groups and the worldwide Volksmarch organization. Guests are welcome on all hikes as are children and grandchildren. Sorry, but pets are not allowed at Club events. To learn more about joining us, review how to become a member. Hikes Webster's dictionary defines hike as "a long walk, especially for exercise or pleasure". Using that definition, the Indianapolis Hiking Club definitely hikes a lot. In 2011 the Club sponsored a record 2,262 hikes - more than six hikes a day. 17,975 hikers trekked 110,725 miles, making us one of the most active hiking organizations in the world. Although there are a few mall hikes on our schedule, hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often on hiking trails, rural roads and paved sidewalks and walkways. Hikes are scheduled every day of the year and everyone is encouraged to lead. In a typical week 40 hikes are offered, including morning, afternoon and evening choices on most weekdays and a variety of moderate and long distance options every weekend. Although spring and fall are the most popular seasons, a full schedule of hikes is offered in the dead of winter and during the warmer summer months, making hiking a year round activity. All hikes are rated as to speed, distance and terrain and a full spectrum of choices is offered each week. Moderate speed and distance hikes predominate (typically 5-7 miles at a 2.5-3.5 miles per hour pace), but challenging hikes (12-20+ miles at a 3.5-4 mile per hour pace including hilly terrain) are scheduled frequently. Most of our weekday hikes follow roads and trails in or near Indianapolis - Eagle Creek Park is a popular venue. Weekend hikes typically include in-town and out-of-town options. During 2011, the Club visited most Indiana State Parks and State Forests, the Hoosier National Forest, the Knobstone Trail, Nature Conservatories, wildlife refuges and numerous rural communities in Indiana and nearby states. Seven extended stay trips were sponsored, including Kal-Haven Trail and Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes in Michigan, Spring Mill SP, Smoky Mountains National Park, Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island, MI, Aspen, CO, Pokagon SP, and Gnaw Bone Camp in Brown County. Thirteen Club members hiked to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Two of our members hiked the entire Appalachian Trail for the second time. And two members hiked the John Muir trail in the Sierras in California. Many theme hikes were also offered, including wildflowers, bird watching, monuments, concerts, restaurants, flower gardens and opportunities to learn more about the geography, geology and history of our great city and state. For 2012, extended trips are already planned to Smoky Mountains National Park, Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes in Michigan, Rocky Mountains NP in Colorado, and Shaker Village in Kentucky. These are in addition to the Club's traditional three day outings to McCormick's SP in March and Memorial Day weekend at Gnaw Bone Camp in Brown County. At least ten Club members have plans to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and a group will be going to Austria for two weeks of hiking. Click here to see a list of all the future trips. No matter where your interests lie, you will almost certainly find hikes on our schedule that are perfect for you. Check out the current hiking schedule on this web site and see for yourself. Social Events Although hiking remains the primary focus, the Club sponsors a Christmas party each December, a summer picnic, a General Assembly in September, a wiener roast at Gnaw Bone Camp each fall and social oriented long weekend outings over Memorial Day, Labor Day and in mid-winter. Many hike leaders tack on pitch-ins and visits to museums, gardens, concerts and restaurants at the conclusion of a hike. Overnight hikes and out of state trips usually include organized social activities. Following a number of recurring weekday hikes, it has become a tradition for hikers to meet for coffee, lunch or dinner. Club Organization The Indianapolis Hiking Club is a completely voluntary unincorporated association with no paid staff or officers. Although it supports a number of local and national organizations dedicated to hiking, conservation and trail maintenance, the Club expressly avoids actions or activities that might promote controversy or divisiveness, or favor any commercial, political, or special interest group. The Club Constitution, which was revised in September 2011, provides the organizational framework. A Board of Directors meets monthly and oversees all Club business (see below for a list of current Board members). All Club members are invited to a General Assembly each September during which new officers are elected. The Club's fiscal year starts on October 1, which is when the new Board takes office and annual dues become due. A combination hike schedule and newsletter is published every two months. Members have the option of receiving it by mail or accessing it from this website. Each fall, a Trail Blazer report is distributed which recaps the prior year's hiking activities and lists all members annual and lifetime mileage. Every January, a membership roster including addresses and phone numbers is mailed to all members. Current Club Officers Following is a list of Indianapolis Hiking Club officers for the Club year beginning October 1, 2011. The President, VP, Pathfinders (schedule the hikes), Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors At Large are elected to a one-year term at the Fall General Assembly meeting. The incoming President appoints the other officers to a one-year term. If you would like to volunteer to be on the Board or serve on one of the Club's committees, please contact the President. President - Jan Stevens Vice-President - Jim Robinson Pathfinder (weekends) - Jean Ballinger Pathfinder (weekdays) - Ed Wright Secretary - Sandy McLaughlin Treasurer - Mary Ann Layman Directors at large Richard Braun Sue Bullock Jeff Edmondson Ron Mutzl Conservation - Ron Craig Membership - Mary Williams Mileage - Jane Hilaire Publicity - Marsha Webster Publications - Karen Zimmerman Social - Tim Braun Web Master - Ed Wright Electronic Media - To be announced Member Recognition INDIANAPOLIS HIKING CLUB ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS In 2006 the Club instituted an Achievement Awards program to recognize members who achieved hiking or trail maintenance milestones the prior Club year, which ends on September 30. Awards are given in ten categories, such as leading more than 50 hikes and hiking more than 1,000 miles in a year. Award winners are recognized at the annual Christmas party. To see a description of the awards and a list of past winners click on Achievement Awards. ALL TIME MILEAGE LEADER Tom Patterson is the Club's all time mileage leader with 42,590 miles. Regrettably, Tom passed away in 2007. His mileage record will probably never be broken. SINGLE YEAR MILEAGE LEADER In 2009 Glee Crowder hiked 3,320 miles with the Club, which averages out to about 64 miles a week. Glee broke the record she set in 2008. According to Glee, she never did a hike longer than 11 miles. SINGLE DAY DISTANCE RECORD The current single day distance record is an incredible 62 miles, set on April 28, 2006 by seven members. This record was tied (same hike from Washington DC to Harpers Ferry, WV) in 2007, 2008, 2010 and again in 2011. To see a list of the people who hold the record click on Achievement Awards. October 29, 2005 - 50 mile distance record set by eight hikers: Cathy Bridge, Rita and Frank Bymaster, Bonnie O'Connor, Allan Roberts, Sukhbir Singh, Cindy West and Rory Wyss November 4, 2000 - 43 mile distance record set by Rich Horan, Michele Kestle, Allan Roberts, Pat Thomas and Cindy West 10,000 MILERS Almost 40% of our members have hiked more than 1,000 miles with the Club. However, only 32 active members have hiked more than 10,000 miles and 6 members have reached 20,000 miles. Here are our lifetime mileage leaders as of September 30, 2011: * Jill McFall 26,175 Passed one time around the earth (24,901.5 miles) * Allan Roberts 25,360 Passed one time around the earth * Glee Crowder 23,264 * Rick Kinnaman 21,318 Passed 20,000 miles in 2011 * Mary Lester 21,088 * John Behrmann 20,239 * Michele Kestle 17,723 * Tom Hollett 17,165 * Cherie Voege 16,627 * Majorie Begeman 16,625 * Jerry Heidenblut 16,278 * Bill Larrison 15,959 Passed away on January 23, 2011 * Ricki Jo Hoffmann 15,596 * Robert Begeman 15,015 * Jim Griffin 13,913 * Marsha Hutchins 13,744 * Ed Wright 13,583 * David Kincaid 12,798 * Charlie Brunette 12,022 Passed 10,000 miles in 2011 * Tish Brafford 11,955 * Anna Lee Johnson 11,882 * Bobbie Mattasits 11,793 * Genie Waltz 11,703 * Avis Shipman Ward 11,557 * Mabel Easton 10,893 * Mary Hodges 10,735 * Charles Hodges 10,722 * Henry McFall 10,471 * Don Holden 10,392 * Cindy West 10,295 Passed 10,000 miles in 2011 * Donna Chastain 10,245 Passed 10,000 miles in 2011 * Bob Corya 10,043