Hike helps bring out the people

Here’s how it usually starts: A friend says, “You should get out of the house.”

Or “get a hobby.”

Or “maybe you’ll find someone in a group.”

In other words, there’s a Meetup for that.

And arguably the easiest activity to join is hiking. Almost anyone can do an easy hike, which is more like walking.

But what’s really interesting is that out of the 257,754 Meetup groups in 178 countries, the most active hiking group is right here in Orange County.

The “Sunset Hikes and Outdoor Fun” group has more than 8,500 members. Sure, there are other hiking groups with more people — one in India has about 24,000 — but all they do is talk the talk.

The don’t hike the hike.

“We are the most active,” said organizer Randy Smith. “The advantage we have in Orange County is the weather. You can do this year-round, and we do.”

There literally is a hike every day and sometimes more than one, especially on weekends. Anyone can join and it’s free, which is not the case with all groups. For more information visit Meetup.com.

For Smith, however, and the regular hikers, it’s not about the numbers or bragging rights. It’s about a lot of things, starting with why each person made the first step.

Maybe it’s a divorce or the death of a spouse or loved one. Maybe it’s just that retirement is boring.

While hiking appeals to all ages, the group trends toward middle age. For singles looking for company, hiking is a safe bet. Plus, there’s time to talk and get to know people. There’s no pressure or special handshake.

You can wear a frumpy parka and fit right in.

“Everybody’s got a story and they find us,” said Smith, walking briskly around Dana Point Harbor during a recent hike with about 25 others.

Over the years, the group has brought people together by fostering friendships in a healthy environment.

“There have been two marriages and several serious relationships come out of it,” said member Cheryl Russell. “Although the group is not a singles’ Meetup, it is a wonderful way to connect with people.”

Smith said that while he has always been active, including hiking the 210-mile John Muir trail as a young Boy Scout, he credits the hiking group with giving him a better outlook.

“It’s changed my life,” he said. “Our society is very materialistic. This group is not.”

Like most people in the group, there is a desire for change, whether it’s physical, spiritual, natural or some other combination.

“The hiking group encourages personal transformations,” Russell said. “We have many examples of hikers coming into the group with fitness and other issues and being moved into having a fun, healthy life that includes weight loss, reduced stress and new friends. One participant has averaged a hike every other day for over two years after a shoulder injury got her into hiking.”

Sometimes it’s just about meeting interesting people.

Barton Mac Leod, for example, volunteers for the group as the unofficial photographer. He’s retired now but used to shoot photos for Hollywood movies, including “Rear Window” by Alfred Hitchcock and “The Maltese Falcon.” With many credits and awards to his name, he’s worked with the giants of the industry including John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Malcolm McDowell, John Travolta, Burt Reynolds and many others.

In 2014, he received a lifetime achievement award from first lady Michelle Obama for his contribution to the U.S. military and motion picture industry.

I learned all this while walking with Mac Leod around Baby Beach.

It’s these types of incongruities that make hiking with strangers interesting.

You never know who you’ll meet, and afterward, there’s usually a picnic with homemade ribbon pasta, chicken, salads and real cookies.

Invariably, someone will pop a cork — or two — and the group will linger over the fading sunlight. It is, after all, the Sunset Hikes and Outdoor Fun group.

But more than anything, it’s not just about the hiking — it’s the people.

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DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.