Trail Talk – July, 2020
An Interview with Greg and Tina Dillon
(KHC members since 2019)
As Interviewed by Lori Rilkoff
July, 2020
After a brief hiatus for my own hiking adventure in the Canadian Rockies in July, I am back with another interview with fellow KHC members sharing their experiences and tips with new members. This time I had the pleasure of talking with Greg and Tina Dillon, the first member couple to participate in Trail Talk!
Greg and Tina experienced their first KHC hike in March of 2019 and in that short time since then, have become frequent faces on the trail. I am struck by their willingness to take the long drive from their home well beyond Rivershore to join fellow KHC members on even the simplest hikes, which I recognized in this interview is due to their fondness for KHC and what they have discovered on the Kamloops trails.
LR: What was your previous hiking experience prior to joining KHC?
GD: We had done some hiking before joining KHC – in Whistler, Revelstoke, Vernon and Vancouver Island with kids. We hiked in Peru, Costa Rico, and Vietnam while on vacation.
TD: We hadn’t done a lot in the Kamloops area, though, as we didn’t really know where to go.
LR: How did the two of you hear about KHC? When did you participate in your first KHC hike?
TD: Over the winter of 2018-2019, I searched online for hiking groups in Kamloops and signed us up in the new year when registration for new members opened up. My first hike was a Thompson River Ramble on March 17, 2019 with you (Lori) and Dianne Smith as hike leaders. It was a revised location due to snow on the trail that was originally selected.
GD: I heard about KHC from Tina. My first hike was at Battle Bluff on March 24, 2019, which was also the first KHC hike Tina and I did together.
LR: Was that first joint KHC hike experience at Battle Bluff what you thought it would be?
GD: I wasn’t really sure what to expect so I went into the hike not really expecting anything – it was a big group.
TD: As it was such a big group – maybe 30 people – I wasn’t sure how that would go either, but it was great! I met some new members and spoke with others that had been part of the membership for a while – everyone was friendly and those with experience were very informative.
LR: How has your life changed since you joined KHC?
TD: Being a true introvert, getting out on those hikes that I sign up by myself is especially good for me. Meeting new people and seeing some that I knew even before joining KHC has been a great experience. I feel in the past year we have been more active and although we are not seeing any huge weight loss, I would like to believe we are both healthier!
GD: I just find it enjoyable to be out in nature with others that you don’t know – yet!
LR: Can you tell us about one of the best moments you’ve ever had on a KHC hike?
GD: Snowshoeing with (Hike Leader) Sam Chow! Hands down the funniest day – fresh snow and we had to cross over a small lake and everyone was sinking up to our necks and laughing as we were trying to get back up on our snowshoes.
TD: That was a very fun day, but I have another hike in mind which was led by Gerry Hoye – Dewdrop Range to Red Plateau. Greg and I were the only ones to sign up and when we arrived at the starting point I knew why! Gerry said, “See that mountain? We are going to climb it, walk along the ridge and go back down at the other end.” I remember thinking, “Oh my god – I am not going to make it,” but I did! I couldn’t walk for a week but we made it!
LR: What is it about hiking that appeals to you the most?
GD: Being in nature, the scenery, socializing.
TD: Exploring new areas, getting outdoors, meeting new people. For us, I think living on acreage it is so easy to stay around the house and yard as there is so much to do. Signing up for a hike makes us get away from it – that ‘to do’ list will be there tomorrow.
LR: What would you say to a new KHC member who may be hesitant to come out for a first hike, which may be the first hike they’ve ever done?
GD: It’s a pretty laid-back group so just go and enjoy it!
TD: Pick a trail that you have not been on yet – the leaders and other members are all very patient and you will not be left behind. You will always have others with you so don’t think you will be left in the dust. Just sign up and go – you won’t regret it!
L. Rilkoff (author)/D. Smith (editor)
- Trail Talk – March 2021 - March 10, 2021
- Trail Talk – Carole and John Moslin - February 10, 2021
- Trail Talk – January, 2021 - January 9, 2021