Lifelong friends have been recreating this college photo since 1982

Five friends have been going on vacation every five years to Copco Lake in Northern California to recreate a group photo since 1982.

The photo was taken when they were all just 19 after graduating from high school in Santa Barbara, California. This year John Wardlaw, Mark Rumer, Dallas Burney, John Molony and John Dickson will be recreating the photo for the seventh time, 30 years later.

John Wardlaw, who is pictured on the left of the photo, told Metro.co.uk they have all been friends since 1977 and that it was John Dickson who took the first photo. It was luck Wardlaw revealed that made the next few happen. They only later decided they should make this a special tradition.

Out of all the photos, the first one was their best for John Dickson because of how young they were and the trip was awesome. Taking the photo has kept their friendship close. "It has made us realize how rare it is to have such good friends for so long," John told the Metro.

The men also reveal they are going to recreate the picture for as long as they can. As a final send off, when they all pass away, John wants his son to take a photo of the bench they sit on with just a hat and jar on the rail.

The photos have become increasingly popular since they decided to post it on Facebook. Now, they are delighted to hear that other friends are inspired and want to begin their own ritual.