Hike With Me:
Find An Ideal Hiking Partner
Right Now Wherever You Hike
(no longer being offered)

By Diane Spicer

"I want (or need) someone to hike with me!"

Have you ever heard these words come out of your mouth?

You probably have if you've struggled to find a compatible hiking partner, one who has the time and the skills to hike the way you want to hike.

Or maybe you need to find a new trail buddy because your regular trail companion bails on you more often than not.

• Or because s/he moved away.
• Or is going through a lifestyle change that cuts into hiking time: parenthood, school, career, medical issues, you name it.

If you need some assistance in finding an ideal hiking buddy, look no further.

The hiking partner finder has arrived.

It's called Hike With Me.

The world has changed since Hike With Me was launched.

This hiker matching service is no longer being offered.

Hike With Me sign up 
is fast and easy!

In just a few minutes you can be signed up and ready to receive notifications of potential hiking buddies.

Keep reading to discover how this hiking service can help you find Happy Trails.

What is Hike With Me?

Hike With Me is a fast, easy process for locating a suitable hiking partner.

It was created to answer the needs of hikers everywhere, based on the multitude of emails received by Hiking For Her over the past 12+ years.

• Although this website is for female hikers, it's no surprise that the guys are looking for compatible trail partners, too.
• Who wants to stay home, when you can be exploring gorgeous terrain like this with a trail buddy?
  

Who is Hike With Me for?

Any hiker who:

• is brand new to an area and doesn't have connections to the local hiking community
• has gone through a relationship breakup and lost a hiking partner
• wants to hike with someone new and learn different hiking skills
• is dreaming of tackling a long trail (like Camino de Santiago in Spain, or Pacific Crest Trail in the U.S.) and is looking for companionship
• has a significant other or spouse who doesn't want to hike but wants you to be safe and prepared

Any hiker who:

• needs to section hike only one portion of a long trail due to time constraints
• wants to start hiking, or start hiking again, after an injury or medical issue
  
• has ambitious mileage plans and wants a companion who understands and can handle the itinerary
• finds that group hiking isn't working out
• would like to make a new friend for future hiking adventures
  

At least that's what Hiking For Her's email is saying about why folks are looking for someone to hike with.

That's why Hike With Me was invented!

How it works

Super simple.

You sign up for the Hike With Me service with a credit card.

• A service called Stripe is used to collect payment. It's trusted by Lyft, Target, Shopify and other well known businesses. (Read about Stripe here.)

Inside your dashboard, you create an account with an email address and a password.

Then you create a brief personal profile: first name, age, gender, experience level, as well as the location, time and type of hiking you want to do.

• You can add a few lines about yourself, but it's not required.
• Your last name, photo, phone number or other personal information is not necessary.

It will take 5 minutes or less to fill it out.

NOTE: When you sign up, you must agree to share your email address with potential matches, and to release Hiking For Her from all responsibility when you contact your match(es).

If you do not agree, you will not be permitted to use the service.

You assume any and all risk when using Hike With Me.

Then what?

Once you create your account and personal profile, you will be added to the pool of potential hiking partners.

You receive notification when matches pop up throughout the length of your subscription: one month, three months, or six months.

• These things take time, especially if you're very specific about your ideal hiking buddy.
• People enter and leave the pool each day, so your match is a moving target. 
• There is no guarantee that a match will be found.

You can view the information any matching hiker submitted, although their identity and contact information is shielded, as is yours.

• Everything remains anonymous unless one, or both of you, initiate contact via email. 

After that, you're both on your own in terms of meeting and agreeing to hike together.

You have the option to browse
and to post your own
buddy requests

Don't want to wait to be contacted with matches?

Using your personal dashboard, you can create an ideal hiking partner profile and post it.

Then you can see who matches your criteria.

• You can reach out if you're interested in pursuing a conversation with that person.
• You can delete any matches.

You can also post a buddy request and mention your specific trail hobbies and preferences.

For example:

• photography
• botany
• geology
• geocaching
• orienteering
• training for an upcoming trip

Another example:

• "I just had knee surgery and need to go slower on downhill sections of the trail."

This specificity increases the likelihood of finding just the right person to hike with you.

You can also delete your information at any time in your dashboard, and just wait for a match to be sent to you.

What happens to my information?

Your information is kept in the database as long as you're subscribed to the Hike With Me service.

It is an honor to receive and safeguard your information.

• It will not be sold, exchanged or used for any purpose other than finding you someone to hike with.

Once your subscription expires, your information will be deleted from the pool of potential hiking partners. 

• If you'd like to re-enter the pool of hikers, simply sign up again.

You control when you respond to potential matches.

• You don't have to respond to anyone. 
• Initial contact is via the email address you provide.
• You're in charge!

What if I need
different types of partners
for my upcoming hiking plans?

Example:

• You'd like to do 10 mile round trip day hikes near home on weekends as training for the next 3 months.
• You also are planning a long trail hike in a different country in 6 to 8 months and need an adventure partner.

Different styles, time frames and skill sets!

To search for 2 different hiking partners simultaneously, submit two different forms.

You are billed separately and can control the length of your subscription for each.

So in the above example, after a few months you would cancel the first subscription and leave your second one in place several months.

What does it cost to sign up?

There is a fee to handle administrative and technology costs, payable when you submit your request for a hiking partner. 

The cost of Hike With Me is kept as low as possible while providing an ad free, easy and private experience.

There are 3 pricing options at this time:

• $15 per month
• $30 for 3 months (save $15)
• $45 for 6 months (save $45)

You can use the credit card of your choice for payment.

You will see this Hike With Me logo on the payment page.

What happens once I pay?

Hike With Me sifts and sorts the database to locate folks with similar trail goals and interests who also match your description of an ideal trail buddy.

Over time, this sift/sort/match process continues to work for you.

The longer you remain in the database, the more likely it is that your ideal trail buddy will appear.

That's why you're offered three different time frames.

• If you have very specific plans for a future time frame and location, remaining in the database for a longer period of time is recommended.
• You can post your own buddy request with specific details, too.

How do you notify me of matches?

You'll receive an email with any matching partner's email address.

They will receive one alerting them to the match with you.

Then it's up to the two of you to connect.

One recommendation if you're concerned about giving out your e-mail address:

• To remain in full control of your inbox, set up a free email account just for this purpose. 
  

You can easily delete that address without touching your main email address.

A few things to note
about Hike With Me

1. All fees are collected up front. You will receive notification to renew your subscription before it expires, or to cancel.

2. There are no refunds if you change your mind or want to opt out before the end of your subscription. 

3. Once you submit your form, you won't be able to change it.

• This helps keep costs low and the process as efficient and fast as possible. That's what we all want, right?
• If you aren't sure about your hiking plans, the monthly subscription is recommended because it gives you the most flexibility.

4. If you decide to withdraw your name from the database before the end of your subscription, send an email with the subject line "Hike With Me" here.

5. Hiking For Her is not responsible for anything that happens once you contact your potential hiking partner.

• Our goal is to connect two hikers with similar interests using a straightforward questionnaire and a bit of technology.
• You assume all responsibility for contacting and interacting with potential partners.

• Schedule a phone call or video chat with your potential trail buddy.
• Meet your potential trail partner before you agree to hike with her/him.
  
• Use your best judgment when setting up an initial meeting: notify a friend/family member of where you'll be, meet in a crowded public space, bring along a friend if you're uncertain.
• Exchange limited personal information until you've met a few more times and feel comfortable doing so. 
• If all your interactions are online, ask for facts you can verify via social media, background checks and other channels.
• Ask questions about hiking style, amount of outdoor experience, and goals for the trail. Even better: ask for photos of prior hikes.

Hiking For Her is not responsible for your personal choices.

Use your 11th hiking essential, common sense.

What are my chances of finding
my ideal hiking partner?

Great question!

The size of the "hiker pool" at the time you enter it will determine how many potential hiking partners you may find.

There is no way to control this number,

and so there are no guarantees or refunds.

How long will it take to receive
potential matches?

Again, there's no way to predict.

It can take time for all of the variables to line up: location, gender, age range, time frame and type of hiking.

It's a moving target!

That's why we offer large price discounts for staying longer in the database:

• Save $15 when you sign up for 3 months
• Save $45 for 6 months in Hike With Me

The goal is to locate an ideal hiking partner. If that takes several months, we want to give you the best possible chance of connecting.

Please realize that it's also possible that no matches will pop up regardless of how long you remain in the pool.  

How many partners can I find?

There is no limit to the number of possible matches that Hike With Me may find for you during your subscription.

• If HWM finds 3 matches, you receive notification of all 3 hikers.
  
• There is no upper limit for the number of matches you can receive.
  

And don't worry about being flooded with unsuitable matches.

• You specify the attributes of your ideal hiking partner, and that's what Hike With Me uses to search out the best partner for you.

Caveat: If a match turns up which is close to what you specified, you may be contacted via email  by Hiking For Her. You can green light, or say no thanks to, receiving the email address for this potential hiking partner.

• Example: Someone who is just a bit older, or has less experience than you requested.

How to maximize your chances
for the best match

For the best chance of finding a suitable hiking partner:

1. Stay as general as possible.

• You will be able to pick a geographical location in the world, or a specific U.S. trail.
• You will select a general time frame when you sign up.
• You can work out the specifics later.
  

If you don't have exact plans, that's okay. Sign up and keep your request general.

2. Stay flexible.

• Finding a partner for a general location is the first step.
• Be open to meeting hikers at various skill levels and ages. It's a good way to meet new people.
• Putting your heads together to plan a perfect hiking trip in terms of time, location and skill level will be fun once you've exchanged contact information. Be pleasantly surprised by what your hiking partner might suggest!

Another option for locating
a hiking partner

If you're a female hiker near or over the age of forty, you can join our Over Forty Hiker private community. One month's membership is offered at the low cost of $4.99 (with savings for an annual plan).

In addition to meeting a select group of female hikers, you can see if anyone is located near you, or has hiking plans that match yours.

You might also meet hikers who tempt you to try new regions and locations with their outdoor photos, trail descriptions and friendliness.

NOTE: This community is not intended to substitute for the laser focused Hike With Me service. It offers a more relaxed space for sharing, learning, fun and encouragement.

It is only for female hikers.

• Details here.

Questions about
Hike With Me?

If you have questions that weren't answered here, please contact me.

Ready to find
your ideal hiking partner?

If you're ready to get started down the trail to finding your ideal hiking partner, sign up with Hike With Me. (Sign ups are paused at this time.)

More ways to use this service

Hike With Me works for experienced hikers who would like to mentor beginning (novice) hikers.

• Newbies are thrilled when someone helps them learn the basics of hiking!
• And seeing the trail through beginner's eyes will remind you about things you take for granted.

If you're interested in a thru hike this year or next, use this service to meet folks who are dialed in on a specific trail.

• They might welcome your company through the planning phases of a long trail hike, as well as during the adventure itself.

Successful hiking!

The success of Hike With Me depends on the level of involvement from hikers just like you.

If you're serious about getting out more often on hikes, or want to enjoy longer hiking trips, use this fast and easy process to try to find your ideal hiking partner.

Hiking For Her reserves the right to change the policy and parameters for Hike With Me as needed to ensure a quality experience for everyone.

• And as noted, there is no guarantee your ideal hiking partner will be located through this process. We can only give it our best effort.
  

Looking forward to getting you on the trail with a trail buddy soon!

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