TRAIL TALK

An Interview with Greg Arvidson
(KHC member since 2013)
As Interviewed by Lori Rilkoff
November 2020

You might spot Greg walking in his neighborhood with his camera and canine companions just as much as you will
find him on the trails. There is something about being a KHC member and a photographer that just makes sense!
Greg is one of those KHC members who takes advantage of the opportunities KHC provides for taking amazing
photographs, learning about the outdoors and of course, making new friends. As Greg can attest, you never know
who you will meet on the hiking trail – it may even be your soul mate.

LR: How did you initially hear about KHC?

GA: I heard about it from a client and found more information from Facebook posts and the KHC website.

LR: What was your hiking experience prior to joining KHC?

GA: Most of my hiking and survival training comes from my youth on our family vacation misadventures while
camping, canoeing and fishing. I learned how to set tents up in the dark and in the rain and where the best spots
are to camp for the night. I also learned trails that lead up from the river banks are generally from animals coming
down to drink. We also did hikes – I recall looking for Lost Lake, which to my knowledge is still lost, and hiking to
Grey Owl’s Cabin and his grave site at Ajawaan Lake in Saskatchewan.

LR: Do you recall the first hike you did with KHC in this area?

GA: My first hike was the initial hike of the 2013 season led by Hike Leader Doug Smith in the Barren Hills. I was
greeted by (KHC member) Jane Steele yelling out “HELLO GREG!”. It was a great surprise to do my first KHC
hike with another member I already knew. Doug also recalled knowing me from the work I did while he was with
the School District. The hike was a mix of introductions, visits with current acquaintances, and the birth of many
strong friendships I continue to value.

LR: How has your life changed since you began hiking with KHC?

GA: The main reasons I joined KHC were to share an activity with my son David and develop a healthy social
network for myself at a time when my marriage was coming to an end. Through KHC, I have made many wonderful
friends, learned many new skills and sharpened others that I hadn’t used for years.
I learned basic survival skills and the hiking essentials from (KHC member) Clive Giolma who we sadly lost, but I
was able to take part in the hike where we selected a place for his memorial bench. I’ve learned how to do
handheld GPS operations and map reading (I just might be able to find Lost Lake some day). I also attended
wildlife seminars about cougars and bears, which taught me new awareness skills other than ‘running after
tripping your hiking partner’. I participated in kayaking pool sessions that included self-rescue techniques and I
stopped carrying the kayak on my head like the canoeist I was.
I learned of trails and caves, including Bearcat Caves and Savona Cave with its pictographs, and rivers close to
home. I took the opportunity to follow further trails in Utah and Arizona that other KHC members shared stories
of. I’ve even learned the names of many wild flowers, a few of which I can still recall.
I also rekindled my love of photography and was mentored by several members with their amazing skills and eye
for light and composition. In the end, I found many wonderful friends, as well as my soul and hiking partner (KHC
member) Wendy Eckert.

LR: What is it about hiking that appeals to you the most?

GA: Sharing nature with friends, at times sneaking a moment of an eagle on the shoreline with a salmon dinner or a
Mariposa lily with a bright green and silver Sweat Bee.

LR: That’s the photographer in you talking! What would you say to a new KHC member who may be hesitant to
come out for a first hike with KHC or maybe the first hike they’ve ever done?

GA: Make sure you get out and do a lot of walking before you end up tackling some of the hills around here.
Break in your boots! Have fun, laugh and if you fall (KHC member) Sam Chow will get a picture of you. I’ve been
too quick to my feet for him to catch me on the ground, but someday he will get me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next – KHChronicles about Nov. 20 and then KHC Newsletter about Dec. 1.