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WHAT'S THAT PATCH MEAN?
Maybe you've noticed hikers sporting
colorful Arizona Hiking Group patches and wondered what they
represent. Since they became available in September, several hundred
trekkers have attached patches and stickers to their gear in hopes of
running into other group members while out on the trails.
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| Members on a group hike in McDowell Sonoran Preserve |
Arizona Hiking Group is a virtual
meeting place, photo-sharing site and educational resource on
Facebook. Established in September 2012, the group has grown steadily
to over 7000 members. Group admins seek to foster a friendly,
nonsense-free zone where hikers of all levels and backgrounds feel
welcome in sharing their experiences and asking for advise. Haters,
trolls and off-message interlopers will feel the swift swing of the
"ban hammer" because the group values on-topic dialogue.
Issues such as heat-related hiking tragedies, trail etiquette, land
stewardship and preparedness are vigorously discussed with the goal
of promoting safe, leave-no-trace hiking practices. As the group grew
in numbers and diversity, members voiced a desire to develop ways to
connect with fellow hikers in real life.
In response, group leaders
produced the patches and stickers and began organizing events and
hikes. In the few months since the patches first went into the
wilderness on the hats and backpacks of hikers, dozens of "patch
sightings" have been shared on the Facebook group page. It's
turned into a sort of a Pokemon Go exercise, except with real people.
Social events such as camping, cookouts and learning opportunities
are also being added to the calendar. There are no membership fees,
but if you want an optional logo item, they are sold at just over
cost with the profits used to fund events.
Arizona Hiking Group:
