About Me
Hi,
I love hiking! And I do care deeply about our region as a local Native American. I was born here and was taught by my family to give back and volunteer when your cup is full. This value of volunteerism led me to create the original hiking group which was for fire fighters only around 2005. And opened it up to other hikers while @ Shasta College in 2017.
I've been a Hot Shot with the USFS for over 20 years now! I rookied at the Redding Airport in 1997. And I am currently back in University perusing my Bachelors Degree. I live in the Redding area where we hike every season. I know the trails in this area because I also raced mountain bikes regionally @ the pro level and was sponsored and ranked in the State of California.
Since creating #RHG in 2017 we have had so much fun and visited so many locations its pretty amazing to share that love of the outdoors with other people who also are into fitness. The fitness concepts that I use are developed from my own training in mountain bike racing and for Hot Shot crews where high performance is critical.
#RHG is a safe and fun environment, with lots of positive reinforcement, and encouragement within a team environment. Participation and attendance is key to gaining the fitness level required to perform in both the Redding heat and the longer Monthly Trip Hikes. It's free so utilize the chance to incorporate diet and cross training into your routine to succeed!
I like to add new things to the Group Hiking Schedule to keep it fun and interesting, the Hill Climb/Pizza Party is unique to #RHG and one of my favorite's, as is our Monthly schedule to regional locations. This is a Democratic system and we vote on almost all of the Trip Destinations! We even voted in 2018 to elect a #RHG mascot the Cougars. This is being written going into Summer 2022 and I'm really excited about going back to the Alps again this year, Castle Crags and Wrapping up the Summer Session with Mount Shasta.
I'm very proud of our members who used #RHG for base training or cross training for bigger goals like Cara who hiked Glacier National Park after hip surgery and others like Robert who used the group to get into shape and change their lifestyles. I'm very proud of my decision to have undertaken this fitness journey with so many great people in our community and look forward to Managing #RHG into the future!
And safety. I am a Hot Shot Firefighter first and foremost. I bring safety into the Woods on all of our hikes. The largest concern every year among members in Crime in Redding. I was unaware of these concerns about crime prior to opening the group to non-Firefighters. I'm happy to say, this group offers a safe environment where citizens can get in shape and not be worried about crime.
This is a positive group environment, where we visit some amazing places and safety is always a top priority while with this group, while on the trail or in wilderness areas. Weather, food/water, trail conditions are always taken into consideration during planning.
And finally, 2022 is the first year #RHG is offering Guided Excursions. The first two will be Russian Peak (8190') and Mount Shasta (14,180'). Conceptually adding full support trips to regional destinations was limited by my years at University, now with more time available to Plan the excursion I'm equally excited to offer fully guided trips to 2 locations in 2022. If you want an true alpine excursion contact us about scheduling! Look forward to see you out on the trail! #RHG #hikethemtn #2k22
Matthew T. Root B.A.
Redding, California
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