TOC Hike #1: Redo - 10 yrs later (6/13/2015)

The idea for a Toronto Outdoor Club came from a sister club in Calgary. They had been up and running for two years (since May 2003), definitely one of the first internet clubs in the world that brought strangers together to take part in outdoors’ events like hiking, camping, skiing, biking and so on. While living there, Stephanie A became a member of the Calgary Outdoor Club before moving back to Toronto in early 2005. But by then the bug had bit her and she knew our fair city needed an outdoors club, too. And so she talked Erik S into co-founding the TOC with her. Despite his modest bio on the site, he is the longest non-stop volunteer and member, he's been on the executive since the beginning, he's the current TOC treasurer and still hosts his own events!

But back to Toronto and 2005: The reality of Internet local/social clubs was nonetheless still in its infancy, and new TOC members had to rely only on their faith in this brand new club (since our good reputation had yet to be established.) That first hike was the only event taking place that weekend. And yet, 6 brave new members showed up at the established car pool site that day and followed the club’s co-founder, Stephanie, out of city and onto the trails.

It turned out to be a momentous occasion. Likely at the time, the members didn’t guess, and the founders didn’t dream, of how big the club would become, or how long it would run. They weren’t in it for making history, they were in it for the pure pleasure of getting out of the city, relaxing, breathing in the fresh air, hiking new territory and meeting others. Heat, rain, bugs and all!

That ‘trail-blazing’ hike took place in Mono Cliffs, just north of Hockley Valley. It’s part Bruce trail, part conservation land trails, all stunning, out-of-the-city beauty. It was the quintessential TOC hike: there was a car pool; it rained; there were lots of bugs; it was warm; they got lost; they had fun; they went for food and drinks and some laughs at the end.

In celebration of, and (birthday party) hats off, to that first hike, we’re going to go back to Mono Cliffs on the second weekend in June, 10 years later. We’ll possibly get lost, too. There will be bugs. Who knows, it might rain! We will have a good time and we’ll grab a bite to eat at the end.

Did you read all that? Then don’t stop now! Here’s the important stuff:

• We’ll bring badges for sale. They’re $20 each, and ALL of it goes towards supporting the 100% volunteer-run club. Once you have a badge, you don’t have to feel obligated to donate to the club again until 2016 :)
• The hike will be 10-12 km, depending on getting lost or adding in the last loop.
• It’s intermediate: not fast and not slow. Average between 4 and 4.5 km/hr.
• There is some steep terrain during the hike. And uneven ground. You *must* bring proper footwear with ankle support.
• This is a fun celebration! Plan to attend drinks/food afterwards (read: don’t plan to be hosting a bbq dinner at your house for 5PM that day)
• It rained during that first hike, and so we WILL go rain or shine. You heard it before… don’t sign up if you’re not willing to hike in the rain.