There are many, many groups who organize outings online. With some research and recommendations, you can find safe and reputable groups for people of any experience level. It takes a little work, but I have spent many years cultivating good relationships with people I trust. I never go hiking or mountaineering alone. The quicker weather or conditions could turn deadly, imo, the more you need to have a partner.
It is my strong opinion that Search and Rescue teams should not be put in harms’ way because of us. Having at least 2 and preferably 4 in a group is ideal, one to stay with an injured hiker and two more to go together for help. At least your partner can alert authorities that you’ve had a mishap. Most SAR are volunteers and they are not standing by to serve us. They sacrifice and put themselves at risk to help people. Imo
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I so much agree. What we've been running into on several of the recent cases are ad hoc groups assembled via FB or Meetup. If you'll notice, these groups are splitting up during the hike—as in this "second hiker's" case—the hikers can be poorly matched, don't feel responsible for each other, goad each other into ill-advised or poorly-equipped outings, etc.
The government of BC Canada has been specifically warning against those kinds of groups. Story about one woman's experience:
A Vancouver woman says she was left alone high up Mount Baker because she couldn't keep up with an online hiking group
vancouver.citynews.ca
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@Tower with his/her organization examples here, I point to the need to go in a group that you can trust. I 'm in favor of a group with a long history like the Mountaineers, especially if you're newish or going into unfamiliar conditions. Learn from them, and get experience, listen to how they make decisions, and how to gear up. They will have different ideas than you do: this is very valuable. Mountaineers is one example of these groups. There's also Sierra Club (e.g. local chapters), Green Mountain Club, AMC, ATC, LatinX Hikers, Obsidians, Mazamas, Outdoor Afro, well-established university outing clubs..... You can also get training from outdoor companies (e.g. REI). Even the State of New Hampshire Fish & Game (the SAR leads in NH)! For just a nominal fee.
Even read trip reports on the Mountaineers and American Alpine sites! You'll find out about good decisions and bad decisions. Get their gear lists..... (If you go on one of their trips, you might even have to show the contents of your pack before you head out; if you aren't equipped properly, you can put the rest of the group in danger, especially in winter. I once went on a Sierra Club wilderness trip, where yep, the contents of our packs were inspected. Everyone else had their little tricks to pass, except me: it was humiliating.......).
I also don't go out if I think there's a risk I might need SAR, e.g. if my knee is twinging. It's not fair to them IMO.
