A 'Vegan Hikers' group?

[Hiking Fox]

I'm going to set up a vegan hiking club, cos I'm not aware of one existing at present. This is following an experience in which a local hiking group that I'd joined completely failed to respect my veganism, and insisted on putting milk in everything.

I'd really like to go on weekends away with a group sometimes, hiring a camping barn and either sharing a vegan meal or planning the trip around a nearby pub that does proper vegan options. Rather than being the awkward, odd one out.

My thoughts so far are that members could pay a small fee (according to income) which covers any admin costs, then get a newsletter (on paper or by email) which has news and views, proposed weekend trips, gear swaps, reviews of B and Bs, gear, cafes, pubs etc.

It could all be pretty informal, and members could sign a disclaimer to say that they are going walking at their own risk.

Any thoughts from anyone?

[cathbetty]

Sounds like a good idea, and I would be interested in joining/ helping you out if you ever did set up such a club
I love walking in the mountains and rambling about in the countryside, we have some lovely moors near where i live where you can lose youself for a day...

[GrahamC]

I'd be up for that. Dark Peak would be good. So would Dartmoor for that matter...

[Hiking Fox]

Hi both of you.

I've set up a Wiki, to get this project started. The URL is now in my signature. Please join it (free and confidential) and post a couple of lines about where you like walking, etc.

After January I'll be less busy, and can set about actively promoting the project.

[SpugFab]

Site looks good Fox, I've signed up.

Made a new year resolution to get out in the hills more often (had a wander in the Ochils on Jan the 2nd, hopefully that won't be it for the year...)

[Hiking Fox]

Hi Spug.

I'm going to be actively promoting it at the NW Vegan Fest. Once we've got a 'critical mass' of members, people can start organising weekends away etc.

Do people think a mailing list with a proper 'old school' newsletter is a good idea, or to just stick to digital? I know some people really prefer to get a mailing through the post, and some people hate computers or can't afford one, so it would be more inclusive. It would cost money though.

[ChrisJ]

I'm pretty busy at weekends until September this year, but long-term I'm def interested. I love hill-walking.

[chloe]

yeah id be interested i think, depending on the various hikes, im no profi but i would like to get out about when possible.
Whats the deal with hiking with dogs in Britain??

[Heather30]

Hi I would love to join a hiking group at weekends - hopefully it'll be a good summer it would be great to be out in the fresh air and sunshine
When/where do you think the first one will be?

[Hiking Fox]

Whats the deal with hiking with dogs in Britain??

You can take dogs pretty much everywhere, but there are areas which have signs saying 'please keep dogs on a lead' - these are either environmentally sensitive sites (eg. with lots of ground nesting birds), livestock feilds, or very steep cliffs.

[Hiking Fox]

Re. website, I set up a website called vegan hiking club on Wetpaint, but it was a bit quiet, and I took it out of my sig on here because adverts had suddenly appeared on it. I'm trying to work out how to get rid of them.

[Hiking Fox]

When/where do you think the first one will be?

Depends on where people want to walk and where they can get to easily - no point in me steamrollering in with a suggestion for the Cairngorms if most people want to have less than 3 hours travel!

I'd say Peak District, Yorkshire or Lake District would be good bets.

[bob_summers]

love the idea of this and would like to get involved - although this will be a very busy summer for me (and my last in blighty for a couple of years at least) - the few hiking weekends i'm doing this year will be taken up by duke of edinburgh expeditions.

if you go to the peaks, there's a nice staffed YH at castleton with vegan food available in the YH canteen or the village pubs. we were there a couple of weeks ago, doing the kinder scout thing in the snow

[Heather30]

Yorkshire area would be great as that's near where I live. Scotland and lake district would be lovely during the summer as well.

[spacekadet]

Yay! I live in London but I LOVE getting out into the country (I'd like to live in the country - any tips on THAT?). I've only lived in the UK a couple years and have so much to explore. Looking forward to the first meet-up. =)