PLAYBOY MODELS THRONG LOCAL MOUNTAINS

Scott Regberg
Mirror contributing writer

   Just about everyone says they love to hike. I hear it all the time, “Hiking, yeah, hiking is great, one of my favorite activities.” Ever read a resume or a bio? Under favorite activities the ubiquitous “hiking” will be there. Even Playboy centerfold models, I’m told, will list hiking as one of their leisure pursuits. (Along with world peace.)
   I regularly get phone calls from folks who “love to hike,” and then they tell me about the last time they actually did it, which was in 1983. So, now I’ve become a little jaded about people’s professed enthusiasm. Come on out to the trail and tell us about your past adventures; or better yet, show us some trails we don’t know!
   I was at a holiday party a few weeks ago and a fit-looking young guy was describing his mountain biking experiences. When I told him I hiked, his eyes lit up and he said the magic words: “Yeah, I love to hike!” I couldn’t resist letting it play out all by itself, and invited him to join us.
   “You hike at night?” he said.
   “Every Monday and Wednesday.”
   “What if it’s raining?”
   I didn’t answer that one, but just sort of shrugged. He took it as a yes, as well as a challenge. “I’m there!” he said enthusiastically.
   It didn’t rain, he wasn’t there. Never heard from him again. But, you never know.
   What’s most curious is who actually does show up and sticks with it to boot. We don’t fault anyone for only coming once, especially when we went bushwhacking through unknown poison oak-infested rabbit paths. Since we’ve toned down a bit and stuck mostly to real trails, our attrition rate has improved commensurate with the decline in our demand for bandages and tick inspections.
   So who does actually go hiking Monday and Wednesday nights? It’s such a mixed bag (from teachers, professors, brokers, models, architects, computer engineers, weathermen, etc., etc.) that there is no singular answer. After all, everyone loves hiking.
   Fearless readers who are interested in free Monday and Wednesday night hiking should contact Scott Regberg at (310) 475-5735.