Who are you?
My name is Gryph (that's my nickname) or Alecia, and I'm the founder and primary organizer for PNW Leisure Hiking!! I'm also a wife, and a mother to five.
Why did you start PNW Leisure Hiking?
In February of 2009 I went on a hike with my family. It was the first real hiking I had done since my high school days, and I have to admit that it didn't exactly go very well. I was completely overwhelmed and couldn't keep pace with my children and husband. I decided to find a Meetup group to get my hiney in shape, but simply couldn't find a group that met my overweight, out of shape needs. I knew I couldn't keep up with the faster pace of most hiking groups, and I thought that maybe, just maybe, there were others out there that were running into the same problem. So I went ahead and took the plunge and started PNW Leisure Hiking on February 13, 2009. Within a short period of time we had a wonderful member base! I honestly could not ask for better partners in the wilderness than the type of hikers we have.
 What are your own personal goals and/or experiences with PNW Leisure Hiking?
My first goal was to strengthen a bum knee injured in my younger years. I was informed none too gently (with good reason) by one of my doctors that if I didn't do something to lose weight and strengthen my knee, I was potentially looking down the barrel of knee surgery. My second goal was to lose weight. I was nearly 100 pounds heavier when I first stepped onto the trail with our very first hike in 2009. My third goal was to be more active and to spend more quality time with my children. I lump those two goals together because I simply could not keep up with my children's' energy level. I still struggle with that, even though I have made improvements in leaps and bounds. The goals I wasn't planning on were the lifetime friendships that have come about through sharing these wonderful experiences with other hikers, and the support and camaraderie I experience at every single hike. So far, all of my goals are being met, one single boot-step at a time.
How would you describe your own level of experience with hiking?
I'd consider myself somewhere at an intermediate level. Every step I take I learn more; experience isn't to be scoffed at. I know I still have a long way to go before I might be considered an expert, but so far I think I've held my own well.
What's with the Smurf?
My little Smurf figurine is Clumsy Smurf, and it's a joke between my hubby and I because I'm not the most graceful of hikers. I often get photos of my Smurf and I, or I take pictures of him on my hikes.
I was admiring your gear, where did you get it?
There's actually an entire page dedicated to my gear under "Hiking How-To."
This website & its contents including photographs © Alecia J. Rivas, Gryph, and PNWLH except where otherwise indicated.
Please note: Hiking, camping and backpacking are potentially dangerous activities. The web mistress of these pages is not an instructor or an authority in any of these areas. You are responsible for your child's, your canine's and your own health, welfare and actions. The web mistress assumes no responsibility for the use of information contained within this web site.
PNW Leisure Hiking does not tolerate or condone harassment in any form including racial intolerance, unwelcome advances, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, etc. We do not support or represent any political causes or religious causes. Please notify the Organizer if you feel that you are being harassed so that appropriate steps may be taken. PNW Leisure Hiking is NOT a singles club. If you are looking for a date, we strongly recommend you look elsewhere.
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