Hudson Valley Hikers
Hudson Valley Hikers is an outdoor activity group based in New York State. They have a reputation for extreme trips, for example combining traditionally multi-day hikes into one long day and/or forgoing guide services during technical climbs. Founded in December 2008, the group is relatively new on the scene amidst many decades-old Northeastern outdoors groups.
'"My vision for HVH in 2008 was to offer a hiking group that would accept hikers without bias. Offer a comfortable hiking setting that was relaxed and inviting. HVH has accomplished this objective tenfold. The numbers speak for themselves, with 8,300 members already (and growing at a clip of 400 per month). I stand by the “this is your hike” mentality, if you want to hike slow / fast, stop to take pictures, you do it! New wave hiking, bringing new people to the woods. Hikes with both seasoned veterans and newb’s to interact, share best practices and educate along the way. HVH is the most active outdoors group in the world. Our success relies heavily on the 27 organizes that make it all possible, volunteering their time and energy. Some hosting several events per week and expecting nothing in return.
2012 and 2013 were huge years for HVH! In 2012 HVH pioneered night hikes in the Catskills, from an easy 3 mile jaunt to Overlook to 8 mile intense winter whacks (Friday / Balsam Cap at 1am). One week in January HVH took members ice climbing, star gazing on the Megaliths, winter backpacking in the Dack’s and the Catskills, indoor rock climbing, and sleigh riding. HVH climbed every peak in the Catskills twice in 2012 and 3 times in 2013. At least 30 HVH members achieved their 3500 patch, and 15 received their 46r status in the Adirondacks.
As winter turned into spring our weekday hikes turned into paddles. From sunset paddles along the Hudson, yaking to Liberty Island, the rough seas of the Long Island Sound, to multi-day paddles in the Adirondacks, Boston and PA. We were already exploring on the water and the trails what was next? Casey and now Serafin bring exploring underground to life with caving expeditions for all levels. We have added sunset book readings, and Yoga to out every-growing list of activities. In the past 2 years HVH has executed over 50 types of outdoor activities across the word (who knew there were that many)??
The summer offered even more unique events for members from lazy morning walks to long range hikes, in the summer of 2013 HVH hiked the Great Range, the Devil’s Path, the Presi Traverse, the PEMI Loop, Hut to Hut, and even a 25+ mile traverse of NYC! Our longest day hike was a 49 mile AT trek from VA to PA, it took members from 16 to 24 hours to complete.
All this is added to HVH’s already long list of accomplishments like Whitney, Hood, Shasta, Rainier, St. Helens, most of the USA’s Highpoints, Africa’s Kilimanjaro, South Americas Aconcagua, and North Americas Denali. This begs the question; what is next? What can you achieve as a member of HVH? How far will your legs carry you?"
HVH- Taking you higher since 2008 Chris Baker'
Most of the Hudson Valley Hikers trips are local, to places like the Mohonk Preserve, the Minnewaska Preserve, the Catskills, the Adirondacks, the White Mountains and, of course, the Hudson Highlands. However, they have also traveled to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania,[1] the Inca Trail in Peru, and various other locations in the United States and the world.[2] In spite of the group's title, their activities include everything from ice climbing to bicycling to kayaking.
The group was founded by Chris Baker, a native of Highland, New York.[3] It is operated on an entirely not-for-profit basis.