DC UL Backpacking

DC UL Backpacking Happy Hour!

February 20 · 6:00 PM
R.F.D Washington

Here's your chance to hit up a pub with some of your fellow DC UL'ers without having just done 10 miles in the morning! This is a great opportunity to to introduce yourself if you've joined recently or for members to catch up with those you may not have been able to hike with for a while. A number of the organizers will be on hand, so feel free to ask questions about upcoming trips, lightening up your pack, or make suggestions for things you'd like to see the group do.

If you're planning to head out on one of the many upcoming winter trips, this will be a good chance to ask some veterans about winter gear or tips and tricks for handling some of the challenges winter brings over typical 3-season trips.

We'll be meeting at RFD in Chinatown (http://www.lovethebeer.com/rfd.html). We've reserved space for us in the front by the windows. Easily metro accessible via Gallery Place - Chinatown Metro on the red/green/yellow lines.

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Mike Korin

Real estate has picked up do I had to miss out. Bummed :( catch u guys next time.

0 · February 24
Reid Mueller

The hosts did a great job putting it together. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can hit the trail soon.

0 · February 21
Brian

What a great showing! It was great to have such a mix of folks with either a good bit of experience going lightweight or a lot of interest in moving that direction. Thanks everyone for making it a fun time!

3 · February 21
Josh Bailar

Thanks for setting this up, Brian. Thanks to all of you with more experience for your input on how best to make the transition to UL.

0 · February 21
Jen

Great time! Thanks for organizing.

0 · February 21
Michael Martin

Thanks, Brian, for putting this together! We had a great showing of people, both old veterans and people new to the group!

0 · February 21
Laura

It was really nice meeting you all :)

0 · February 20
Chris Moran

Really great meeting everybody. I can't wait to get out on the trail with you.

0 · February 20
Holger

need to work late, so I am out....

0 · February 20
MikeVW

Will make a brief appearance!

0 · February 20
Brian

I'll probably be getting there 10-15 minutes before six. They'll most likely have us to the right as you come in the door. See everyone tonight!

0 · February 20
- Michael Martin
  
  I'll be there at about 6pm, too.
  
  0 · February 20
- Michael Martin
  
  You'll be able to spot me because I'll be dressed, head to toe, in grey cuben fiber. ;)
  
  0 · February 20
Joffrey Peters

Shooting to make it not too long after 6.

0 · February 20
Michael Martin

@Doug ... I'll plan to bring your quilt back to you tomorrow.

0 · February 19
MikeVW

Change in fortunes; I may try to stop by for a little bit on the front end of the event!

0 · February 19
Holger

I have class until 7.30pm so in case you guys stick around a little longer I will stop by.

0 · February 5
- Michael Martin
  
  I'll plan to be there well past 7:30pm, probably till 8:30 or 9pm.
  
  0 · February 6
- Brian
  
  Me too. I was going to be extremely disappointed if no one was staying past 7:30!!
  
  0 · February 6
Joffrey Peters

May roll through. We'll see as the date approaches.

0 · January 31
Sharon G

I'm a "most likely" for this.

0 · January 30
Reid Mueller

Looking forward to meeting some of the members of the group.

0 · January 29
Michael Martin

Great, Jake! I have a scheme for bagging some 14ers that I want to chat with you about, though it'll have to be post book.

0 · January 29
Evan K. McCarthy

RFD, how I miss thee . . . have fun everyone!

0 · January 29
- Michael Martin
  
  LOL ... Yeah, I think I first met the people in this group at RFD in early 2010. My attendance history shows I didn't attend, but I seem to remember it! That was Snowpocalypse!
  
  0 · January 29
Michael Martin

@ Laura ... It will be great to finally meet you!

0 · January 28
- Laura
  
  Hi Michael. I agree with you! Looking forward to meet you all :)
  
  0 · January 28
Michael Martin

Ah, Christy, at last we meet! ;)

0 · January 28
- Christy
  
  Ha ha ha! !
  
  0 · January 28
MikeVW

Bummer! I have class Wednesday nights until 7...have one for me!

0 · January 27

17 attended

Brian

Veteran Member (2) (B~~~), Assistant Organizer

Event Host
Checked-in
Daniel

Veteran Member (2) (Casserole)
Tony

Veteran Member, Assistant Organizer
Douglas

Veteran Member
Sharon G

Veteran Member (MacGyver), Assistant Organizer
Reid Mueller

Member
MikeVW +1

Veteran Member (2) (MikeDC), Assistant Organizer
Christy

Veteran Member (Tenderfoot)
Josh Bailar

Applicant
Ben

Applicant
jake lloyd

Member
Joffrey Peters

Veteran Member (Beast Mode)
Jen

Veteran Member (Shuttle), Assistant Organizer
Michael Martin

Veteran Member (2) (U-Turn), Organizer
Checked-in
Laura

Applicant
Chris Moran

Member

Washington, DC

Founded Aug 6, 2009

About us…

Backpackers
248
Group reviews
35
Upcoming Meetups
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Past Meetups
117
Our calendar
Membership dues

$10.00 1st event of year

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Membership dues

$10.00 1st event of year

This covers: Meet up costs, social events, and other special events.

Payment is accepted using:

Amazon Payments
Cash or check - “Mail an old-fashioned check to Michael Martin; 820 S. Columbus St., #106; Alexandria, VA 22314.”

Refunds are not offered for this Meetup.

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DC UL Backpacking Guiding Philosophy:

To backpack the Mid-Atlantic, with the idea of waking early, walking far, traveling light, and having a fulfilling backcountry experience.

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”—Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This meet up group specializes in high-mileage, light-weight, overnight backpacking adventures throughout the Mid-Atlantic, especially Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Our featured trips are often quite challenging, but we also do offer some lower mileage trips as a way for people new to the group to ease in.

How do you know if this group is right for you?

You’re an experienced backpacker who likes nothing more than to walk big days and you’re looking for some like-minded folks to keep you company and explore the Mid-Atlantic.
You’ve done some backpacking before, but you don’t enjoy sleeping in, stopping early, base-camping, cabin-camping, etc. You know that dawn and dusk are the best times for walking.
You’ve never been backpacking before, but you’re athletically minded, and fairly accomplished as a runner, triathlete, cyclist, day hiker, etc. You want to take on some backcountry challenges and you want to get up-to-speed fast.
You’re an experienced ULer who thinks anyone who hasn’t cut the handle off his toothbrush is crazy.
You just heard of this UL stuff (and you’ve never weighed your gear before), but you’re really interested in NOT carrying a 50-pound pack on a weekend trip. You’re quite curious how anyone can go backpacking with a sub-10 pound (or even a sub-5 pound!) base weight. You may even be skeptical, but it sure sounds like a good idea.
You don’t care at all about gear and want to have a single set of equipment you can use in all seasons.
You’re a total gearhead and like nothing more than buying and trying out new stuff.
You think keeping a walking journal sounds like fun. And the prospect of making a spreadsheet with your gear all listed and weighed sounds incredibly cool.
You buy all your gear ready-made at REI.
You constructed 13 different alcohol stoves in your basement and tested their boil times with a stopwatch till you got one you liked.
You think it would be pretty awesome to backpack a ton this year and rack up a few dozen nights under the stars.

In short, one size does not fit all. Different people come to the group with different backgrounds and expectations. On the balance, we’re interested in cultivating independent outdoors men and women who want nothing more than to log quite a few nights (and challenging days) in the backcountry.

People often ask me about the UL gearing aspect of the meet up, as that can be a little intimidating, even for experienced backpackers. Many of our members are very serious about going light, but we also have longstanding members who are not ultra-light. Others are in various phases of transitioning, trying out one new piece of gear against another. It took me about two years to make that transition myself. So, the short answer is that you shouldn’t be deterred from joining our group just because your gear is heavy. For us, these days, “ultra-light” is a means much more than an end. It enables us to walk farther and in greater comfort, but we’re not really interested in enforcing any “smelly little orthodoxy,” to borrow George Orwell’s memorable phrase.

Applying for the DC UL Meet Up

Because our trips are demanding and involve nights spent out of doors in the mountains, we have a more involved application procedure than many meet ups. When you apply to join, you’ll be asked a couple of questions. In essence, you’re filling out a written application, so do fill out the forms fully.

Based on your replies, I’ll admit you to the group with a rank of “Applicant.” As an applicant, you’ll be eligible to do our low-mileage overnight trips and you’ll be invited to day hike with our leadership team. You can also attend our social events. The point of this phase is for us to get know each other before you embark on one of our more adventuresome trips—we feel that everyone benefits from getting to know each other beforehand. Once you’ve completed a trip with us, we’ll promote you to “Member.”

As a member, you are required to pay our $10 yearly membership fee at the next event you attend. These fees help us run some of our events, but we do not charge for individual backpacking trips. Applicants do not have to pay the fee.

Liability Waiver: By joining this group, you agree to all waiver terms: http://www.meetup.com/DC-UL-Backpacking/pages/Liability_Waiver

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DC UL Backpacking Happy Hour!

17 attended

Veteran Member (2) (B~~~), Assistant Organizer

Event Host

Veteran Member (2) (Casserole)

Veteran Member, Assistant Organizer

Veteran Member

Veteran Member (MacGyver), Assistant Organizer

Member

MikeVW +1

Veteran Member (2) (MikeDC), Assistant Organizer

Veteran Member (Tenderfoot)

Applicant

Applicant

Member

Veteran Member (Beast Mode)

Veteran Member (Shuttle), Assistant Organizer

Veteran Member (2) (U-Turn), Organizer

Applicant

Member

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