What we’re about
We are a well established and popular Meet Up Group for Bush, Coastal, City Walks & Easy to Medium Hiking and Tramping and occasionally other stuff like Caving, Kayaking and Social Activities .
We are passionate about slowing down and looking around when we walk and explore.
You'll also find a judgment-free zone and lots of love and encouragement no matter what you look like on the outside, or needing emotional and mental support as showing your vulnerability is strength on Feet First where there is no judgment, only support, love, encouragement, empathy, and respect.
You also need to be at least 20 years old. We have a No Guests policy also for very good reasons.
👣👣👣👣👣👣👣
Meanwhile our focus on Feet First is on having an enjoyable day in the hills or surrounding countryside or other places to walk and explore in Auckland's wilderness and urban areas.
We leave the high speed faster paced gut busting hiking events to other groups.
Our leadership team is mostly 50 plus, and have many decades of experience and knowledge of the Waitakere Ranges, and other places we frequently walk around Auckland and nearby.
The companionship and conversations are an essential part of any event we do on Feet First - however at the end of the day we also know we have had great exercise as well.
We do most outdoor activities in Auckland, including guided hiking, urban walks, kayaking, caving and other things throughout the year ..with a strong focus on slowing down and looking around..and not just events for exercise..
Sometimes we'll travel to other places like the Waikato, Coromandel and Northland.
We also frequently stop at a Cafe or Restaurant after our walking and hiking events for those interested.
Meanwhile..Exercise is important however ...so is the strong social interaction between people and that's what's makes Feet First Events Interesting and fun...And different...Join us and find out ..we are a group that has been going for over ten years..and we are very active with an event on most weekends..Saturday and Sundays. and sometimes during the week. .
Our members ages vary from 20s and 30s, to 40s and late 50s and even active 70 plus tramping veterans join us as we explore a lot of tracks in the Waitakere Ranges they have walked for decades..like our Organizers and Event leaders.
Membership Rules.
Having a clear portrait photo showing your face is important...As is using your proper first name when you join ..like Robert or Mary and not an abbreviated format like JP or an Aliais isn't OK...particularly...if . you're interested in attending our Events for carpooling or to help us identify you clearly if there are RSVP questions on our events.
We also prefer you not to wear denim or heavy cotton shorts, as these make you cold when wet and add to hyperthermia.
Good grippy shoes or boots are recommended, and also carrying everything you need to enjoy hiking throughout the year in a small backpack.
Please note also ..No guests, dogs, teenage children, or smokers, or profiles without a recent face picture that is recognizable.
Please refrain from video-ing another member without their consent...Or using a drone or ipod, or go pro camera..No one wants their face all over the internet..Be considerate when you use your phone or camera please.
We Carpool/ Share rides to get to our Events, and it's up to you to be proactive prior to an event you like, to arrange transportation or drive your own car, and its better to share your journey with another FF Member who contributes money towards petrol. All are talked about on each Event where you can ask questions and receive answers.
Our Feet First Events are pre-walked and checked for your outdoor safety and risk management .They are graded in difficulty on a scale of 1-5 , and if you are an active regular Hiker., Tramper or Urban Walker, or new to Auckland's outdoor activities, there will be a local or out of town trip that may interest you and some other activities like Caving and even the occasional Petanque game.
We ask for a $2 Gold coin donation on the event you attend to go towards the Meet Up Website costs and organising event leaders do at their own expense providing pre-walked events for your benefits .
Sometimes we stop and listen to the sounds of nature too..for a few minutes, a special time to be still and practice mindfulness , to relax and not to use your camera, and just hear the wind in the trees, the drops of rain, or the many hundreds sounds that are often missed by lots of talking and rushing quickly through the forest ..
It's up to you to come prepared with grippy shoes and carry everything in a small backpack with your lunch, water and snacks for the days hike whether it be summer or winter, and a hiking pole is helpful .
More things about what to wear, or bring along on our events, and carpooling, is listed on the Event listed normally a week before our hikes or urban walks so you have time to arrange transportation amongst each other.
Organising many events , Mike K and Stephen F are the main Leaders and Organizers, assisted sometimes by Boyd and David and others occasionally.
So join us, come as often as possible and walk yourself happy in and around Auckland with Feet First on a day that suits you!
You are always welcome.
Thanks for stopping by ..
Cheers,
Feet First Leadership Team.
Stephen F, Mike K , Boyd and David B, and Esther..
.
