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 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. For the first 20 years, the Club scheduled hikes only on Sunday. It also sponsored a Christmas party, summer picnic, social and business meetings and weekend overnights, often in conjunction with other hiking clubs. The first Trailblazer 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 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. 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 "Trailblazer" (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 about 90 members The Indianapolis Hiking Club has been serving its members and the community for 53 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, 2009 (start of the Club fiscal year), the Indianapolis Hiking Club had 754 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 2009 the Club sponsored a record 1,931 hikes - an average of 5.3 hikes a day. 17,637 hikers trekked 109,710 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 more than 35 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 2009, 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. Six extended trips were sponsored, including Smoky Mountain National Park, Washington DC, Bavaria Germany, Indiana Dunes and Notre Dame campus, Pine Mountain in Kentucky, and Hocking Hills in Ohio. 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 2010, extended trips are planned to Tucson AZ, Smoky Mountain National Park, Gettysburg battlefield, downtown Chicago, and Kal-Haven Trail and Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes in Michigan. These are in addition to the Club's traditional three day outings in mid-winter, Memorial Day and Labor Day. In April our long distance hikers plan to match the Club's 62 mile single day distance record by hiking from Washington DC to Harper's Ferry WV. Click here to see a list of 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, two General Assembly meetings, 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. The "lunch bunch" has been meeting for lunch for more than 30 years on the 2nd Thursday of every month after the morning hike. 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 provides the organizational framework. A Board of Directors meets monthly and oversees all Club business (see Club Officers for a list of current Board members). All Club members are invited to two General Assembly meetings that are held each spring and fall. New officers are elected at the fall meeting and take office on October 1, which is when annual dues become due. A combination hike schedule/newsletter is published every two months. Members have the option of receiving it by mail or accessing it from this website. Each fall, members receive a Trailblazer report which recaps the prior year's hiking activities, including everyone's 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, 2009. 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 - Jeff Edmondson Vice-President - Sue Bullock Pathfinder (weekends) - Jean Ballinger Pathfinder (weekdays) - Ed Wright Secretary - Valan Magnabosco Treasurer - Mary Ann Layman Directors at large Richard Braun Cheryl Conwell Ron Mutzl Joe Scherrer Conservation - Ron Craig Membership (contacts) - Mary Williams Membership (mileage) - Jane Hilaire Publicity - Susan Roberts Publications - Bill Larrison Social Committee - Karen Bushfield, Susanne McNeely and June Sergi 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. Awards are given in nine categories, such as leading more than 50 hikes and hiking more than 1,000 miles in a year. Each year the award winners are recognized at the March General Assembly. To see a description of the awards and a list of past winners click on Achievement Awards. ALL TIME MILEAGE LEADER We regret the passing of Tom Patterson, the Club's all time mileage leader, in 2007. During his incredible career with the Club Tom amassed 42,590 miles a record that is not likely to be broken. SINGLE YEAR MILEAGE LEADER In 2009 Glee Crowder hiked an incredible 3,320 miles, breaking the record she set in 2008. According to Glee, she never did a hike longer than 11 miles. Allan Roberts also deserves recognition for hiking 3,177 miles. He is only the second member in Club history to hike more than 3,000 miles in a year. SINGLE DAY DISTANCE RECORD April 26, 2008 - For the third year in a row seven members tied the all time single day distance record of 62 miles (100K). They were Cathy Bridge (2nd time), Frank and Rita Bymaster (3rd time each), Sandy Fillinwarth, Anthony Povinelli (2nd time), Allan Roberts and Cindy West (3rd time) April 28, 2007 - Seven members tie the 62 mile (100K) record set the prior year. They were Susie Blair, Frank and Rita Bymaster (2nd time each), Karen Chandler, Jeff Edmondson, Cindy West (2nd time) and Steve West. April 29, 2006 - Seven members walk an incredible 62 miles (100K)from Washington DC to Harpers Ferry WV to set a new one day record. The record was set by: Cathy Bridge, Rita and Frank Bymaster, Bonnie O'Connor, Anthony Povenilli, Sukhbir Singh and Cindy West 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 26 active members have hiked more than 10,000 miles. Only two members have hiked over 20,000 miles, although several others are getting very close. Here are our lifetime mileage leaders as of September 30, 2009: * Jill McFall 24,364 * Allan Roberts 21,215 Passed 20,000 in 2009 * John Behrmann 19,772 * Mary Lester 19,522 * Rick Kinnaman 18,241 * Glee Crowder 16,998 * Majorie Begeman 16,612 * Michele Kestle 15,901 * Bill Larrison 15,869 * Tom Hollett 15,112 * Robert Begeman 15,015 * Cherie Voege 12,967 * Jim Griffin 12,928 * Jerry Heidenblut 12,861 * Ricki Jo Hoffmann 12,433 * Marsha Hutchins 12,346 * Dennis Taft 11,645 * Avis Ward 11,535 * Genie Waltz 11,475 * Ed Wright 11,360 * Anna Lee Johnson 10,992 * Mary Hodges 10,733 * Charles Hodges 10,720 * Mabel Easton 10,387 * Henry McFall 10,175 * Tish Brafford 10,157 New to this list in 2009