Outdoor adventure in Robbins launched 2010 early, with the Bear Creek Hiking Club's January hikers visiting Buzzard Rock and back on a chilly first Sunday of the new year.

Later in the week, they headed out to familiar Southern Pines destinations such as the Weymouth Woods Nature Preserve Park or five-mile hikes around the old reservoir on Whitehall Trail.

Later this month, or perhaps the first week of the next, will see the second Brrrrr Creek Plunge. Last year, for charity, and for the fun of it, a few brave souls jumped into Bear Creek in January.

"This year's plunge promises to be even better," Marketing Director Randall Moore says. "It will showcase the best and brightest of Robbins, including local school principals.

"There will be a founders plunge, school division and an all-comers plunge for anyone who wants to join in the fun. Stay tuned for dates - either Jan. 30 or Feb. 6."

Scouting Trips

Hiking club members have been spending some time, and much energy outdoors walking about in the recent colder-than-usual weather, mapping out possibilities for future hikes on what club leader Linda Koonce calls "scouting" trips.

Last Tuesday, club hikers set off on one scouting expedition to follow part of an 11-mile trail that runs between Army Road and Vass Road, going out and back in search of the trail head off N.C. 211 near McCain.

These trips are open to everybody interested in booting up and heading out, but Koonce wants anybody planning to join them to be aware of certain "rules of the trail" beforehand.

"When hiking with us, you will need to bring your own snack and beverage," she says. "Wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring rain gear. Arrive at the meet-up place five to 10 minutes early, because groups will wait no longer than five minutes beyond the set meeting time.

"Those carpooling are asked to pay their driver $1.50 for every 30 minutes of driving time. Weather conditions may cause changes to the schedule, so be sure to contact the hike leader. Remember, you must register early with the hike leader every time you plan to hike."

Bear Creek Club hikes are adventures hikers take at their own risk, she says. Each trip is leader-rated for degree of difficulty in the club's monthly printed schedule.

Treks set for the rest of this month begin Tuesday with another scouting trip in Eno State Park.

Hikers will meet up in the Fidelity Bank parking lot in Robbins at 9 a.m. Cathy Hussey, (910) 464-3679, is the leader.

"We will explore as many of the trails as we can today," Koonce says. "We will explore the park and decide the trails the day of the hike. Call Cathy for more information and to register to join this scouting trip."

On Thursday, Jan. 21., Fidelity Bank is again the meeting site for a two-hour easy-to-moderate hike, good for beginners.

"We will meet at Nicks Creek Greenway on N.C. 22, just north of the Moore County Airport, to start our hike to the Reservoir Park in Southern Pines," Koonce says. "We will need to leave a car at either end because it will be a one way hike. It should take a little over two hours to complete. Bring water and dress in warm layers."

For more information or to register for the hike, call Sarah Lane at (910) 948-3681.

Another Bear Creek Trail hike is set for Saturday, Jan. 23, leaving Elise Middle School lot at 1 p.m. This is a five-mile hike, but easy to moderate and another good start for the inexperienced.

The last hike of the month is an adventurous one, rated as strenuous. Neil Johnson will lead the party on a 10-mile trek through Pilot Mountain State Park in Surry County. The group will meet at 8 a.m. at the Fidelity Bank lot in Robbins.

For more information or to register, call Johnson at (910) 585-1052.

Special Presentation

Bear Creek Hiking Club's regular monthly meeting features a special presentation on "Hiking Vermont's Long Trail" by Jan Leitschuh.

In 2002, restless and searching for the longest possible journey to undertake without "quitting the day job," novice hiker Leitschuh laced up some new trail shoes, hefted an unfamiliar backpack and set foot on Vermont's rugged 270-mile Long Trail.

With her opinionated, heart-attack challenged hiking partner, Clyde, Leitschuh walked from Massachusetts to Canada, testing the outer limits of their physical endurance, friendship and good humor in the process. She told the tale of the trip in her book, "The Ordinary Adventurer."

The meeting and Leitschuh's presentation will be in the Robbins Rescue Squad Building at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Contact John Chappell at (910) 783-5841 or by e-mail at jchappell@thepilot.com.