Hiking Buddies 501(c)(3)

Hiking Buddies 501(c)(3) is committed to reducing avoidable tragedies through education, impactful projects, and fostering a community of support. We are built on the foundation that hikers support hikers. We are a family. To understand who we are, you have to know where we come from. Hiking Buddies has roots dating back to June 2020 when it originated as a social media group focused on connecting people to hike the 48 4000-footers of NH. With a grass-roots online presence the group exploded to over 16,000 members and became one of the largest and most active group hiking conduits in the United States. In 2021, Hiking Buddies began organizing members for positive purposes: supporting fundraisers, planning events, and promoting the safety benefits of group hiking to new and less experienced hikers. In 2022, several fatalities shook the hiking community, most of which involved unprepared solo hikers. Many of these heartbreaking outcomes may have been avoided with education, preparedness, and/or experienced hiking partners. The mission and heart of Hiking Buddies continued to evolve and the organization established as a nonprofit corporation in 2023. While not all tragedies are avoidable, some are, and Hiking Buddies believes it quietly saves lives by pre-emptively educating, preparing, and connecting hikers. We offer hiking safety certifications, in-person and online educational opportunities, a fantastic community to connect to, and generally a lot of fun.