Facebook group promoting Island’s hiking scene gaining huge following
NANAIMO — A Facebook group promoting Vancouver Island’s seemingly limitless hiking options has exploded into a huge community which encourages people to get off their couch and into the backcountry.
Take a Hike Vancouver Island (TAHVI) was started with humble beginnings by Nanaimo’s Brandi McCallum and Tonya Dunn about five years ago. McCallum said about 200 members were on the page two years in, a far cry from the nearly 24,000 users of the active page today.
“It was just going to be a meeting point where we can meet common people and now it has taken on a whole other beast,” McCallum told NanaimoNewsNOW.
McCallum said TAHVI allows hikers to post pictures, provide updated trail conditions, set-up guided hikes, as well as promote safe and environmentally friendly practices in the bush.