What we’re about
http://www.socialfundation.com for the full calendar.
Ever suddenly realize that the weekend is almost upon you and you have a few free days, but can't find someone with an open schedule to accompany you on that killer hike you've been wanting to do for months? Or have you tried to organize a trip through another backpacking meetup and found that it's a mess of coordinating schedules? Here's the place to post your idea, no matter how short the notice.
We are a collection of backpackers from absolute beginner up to hard-core mountaineering folks all looking to share some new adventures with new friends. We will have regular events hosted by our organizers but we also welcome the community to post their own trips to see who else might be interested in joining.
A couple of things about being part of our group:
- Safety! Know your abilities and your limits. If you find yourself over your skills, be vocal and let others know.
- Respect nature! Practice good stewardship and leave it cleaner than you found it.
- Respect Others! Be mindful of how your decisions can impact them, especially when it comes to safety!
- Be patient! If you like to grind out the miles be patient if your group isn't quite up to your level.
- Be generous! Some trips will be free, others will be paid, it is all dependent on what the organizer decides. Even if a trip is free, offer to help with gas for the car pool or bring a dessert to share on the trail.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- So you want to be an organizer? Find out how to post your own event on the groupLink visible for attendees
Why not host some events. Great way to meet people!!!
Got an idea for an event or an event you want to do?
NOW is your chance!!!!
It's a new year coming up. AND you want it to be different than the last.
Do you find events and think: "Gee, . . . I like this event but want it closer, or on a different day, or just a little earlier or later."If you post the event you pick the time, and place and date that in convenient to you. As well as pick the content/topic/focus of the event.
What a win!!!
This meetup is a giant collaboration. In that vein we welcome new organizers.
These are basic rules all organizers must abide by and work within. Mostly they are all about showing a respect for the members.
Best Practices or the rules simplified.
- No Emailing and no using the "discussion" box
- No outside links
- All events are Hosted. There are no "no host" events.
- List any money costs in the first 2 or 3 lines.
- Special note about Repeat Events.
- Special note about city or area in title
Not too many rules. Not too complicated. They all have to do with respect for the membership.
1.) No Emailing AND No Discussion Box
The one BIG BIG rule I have is NOBODY messages the general membership via the email feature. Post the event and let Meetup send out all the notices. The discussion box is just another way for you to send spam. So that is closed, and only for the use and management by and of the (main) organizer only.2.) No Outside links:
No links to other meetups. No links to other social media (no instagram, no eventbrite, no twitter, no facebook etc).
For instance: Do not just put a Facebook link. Instead copy all the wording from FB and put the words. Plain and simple; Link's are lazy. So don't be lazy!!!
You want members to click the RSVP. So you don't give any other option that may lead them away from the event page.
*** If you "need" outside links of any sort: Contact the lead organizer and just make sure ok. It usually is. Just ask first.3.) Meetup does not allow "No Host" events. You or the listed Event Host will be there and present. You will welcome and make sure people can find you or the meetup area. And that people will be able to actually be able to meet others from meetup. If members in attendance report you are not attending your events you will not be allowed to continue to post events. If you want to post an "informational" event then go and post it on Craigslist.
4.) List money costs in the first few lines.
This has to do with email notices. The email version of the event sends the first few lines of the writeup. If it's free, . . .say it's free. If it costs . . . say it early so people have the info.
If it is free it is best to include the word "Free" in the title.5.) Events can repeat no more than every three weeks, unless you get permission ahead of time.
When making a repeating event DO NOT USE the auto-scheduling feature. After your event occurs log on and list it again.
The Auto-pilot is a problem as people forget they listed. They don't show up and people do. The complaints end up being filed against the group and not the organizer that bailed.
If you use the "repeat" feature it will be edited and the future ones edited off.6.) List the city or area in the title. You get better turnout and less flakes.
There are some general guidelines to making great events
General Guidelines:- Great wording
- Great Pix
- 4 weeks notice is best
Cost of posting events?
We do not charge for access to the group. We only ask that the event is good decent social and creates community.TO BE AN ORGANIZER ON THIS GROUP YOU NEED TO DO THREE THINGS:
#1 RSVP to this event.
#2 SEND A DIRECT MESSAGE TO THE LEAD ADMIN ON THE GROUP WHO CAN CHANGE YOUR STATUS TO BE ABLE TO POST AN EVENT. Click this link to send a Direct Message: https://www.meetup.com/message/?recipientId=273063881
#3 FILL OUT OUR GOOGLE FORM Click this link to fill out the form
https://forms.gle/d1yNnhUiNP6CzyCw7INCLUDE IN YOUR MESSAGE:
- If you are an Event Organizer, Asst Organizer, Co-Organizer or Organizer of any meetup groups . . . List those. Links to the group is preferred so I can see what your events look like there.
- AND some links to current or past events.
- If you do organize things . . . but not on meetup . . . list links to those instead.
- If you have not organized anything before . . . Include links to samples of what you want to do or what you are thinking of.
Organizing events is the best way to meet people.
note: the date of this event keeps moving to a date in the future so the event stays active and editable.
- Our Featured "Adventure" Meetups: Kilimanjaro, Slakantay, Everest Base CampLink visible for attendees
Overseas travel takes a lot of planning in advance. Flights, Time-off, dog sitters . . . Here are our Featured International/Overseas Events so you have the time to get things planned to be able to join.
Jun 7, 2024
Mt Kilimanjaro Trek. One of the 7 Summits. Join us on this bucket list adventureJun 26, 2024
Serengeti Photo Safari! See the Great Migration "Africa’s Best Wildlife Show"Oct 11, 2024
Costa Rica Caribbean side: Volcanos, Waterfalls, National Parks and More!!Dec 6, 2024
Angor Wat Cambodia, Laos & VietnamMar 7, 2025
Galapagos Islands Expedition--Untouched nature in all its splendor. Small GroupApr 25, 2025
Everest Base Camp Yoga Trek. Discover the land & people. An intimate AdventureJul 1, 2025
Spain and Portugal with Running of the Bulls! Gaudi, Paella and more!Aug 10, 2025
The Salkantay Trek EPIC MACHU PICCHU! Experience wild PeruDo you have questions on ANY of the above?
What to do next?
How to attend?
What to pack?
What's included and not included?
Or any question you might have!!!The most simple thing is to send a meetup message to https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881
In your message say which one and we can get the ball rolling from there and get you info.
The other easy way is to fill out our form. You can check-box several events that way.
https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8ALSO . . .
We have a monthly Q & A video conference call to answer it all!
Rsvp on this event and join us on the listed date at 6pm Pacific time.
Here is the link to join https://meet.google.com/irp-rnyi-fgbRSVP here and we will send you a reminder too!!
- Yosemite! MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!! Valley Floor Activities 4 days/3 nights ....Yosemite Entrance Gate (Central) - El Portal, Wawona, CA
We have done Yosemite before on the group.
And each and every time it fills up early with lotos of people with big sadness they can not go.
Plain and simple . . . our events have limited size. So when it fill . . . it fills.
Yosemite is that amazing and iconic place that everyone loves to go.
There are Saturday/Sunday planned Easy, Medium and Hard Options.
We will divide by interest for different hikes.
The "Easy" route:
- Yosemite Falls (the easy walk)
- Tunnel View
- Glacier Point
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Mirror Lake
- The Meadows
- The River
- Ahwahnee Hotel
Planned Medium Hike:
- Vernal/Nevada Mist Trail
Planned Difficult Hikes
- Yosemite Falls
- 4 Mile Trail
- Pohono Trail
To attend this event:
- RSVP on this event
- CLICK HERE for the payment link.
- Click Here and fill out our Attendees google form (this is also what the carpool info gets built from)
Notes:
- You MUST take care of payment to be confirmed to go.
- After payment you will get a confirmation email from Paypal
- You do NOT need a paypal account. Click the process as guest, or use any credit or debit card.
- If you have a X2 or a Plus One . . . just do the link a 2nd or 3rd time.
- You may see LOTS of people RSVP on the event. Many do RSVP and not take care of payment.
- If you not ready to commit yet . . .
- Click Here and fill out our google "interest" form (there is a box for "interested and keep me in the loop")
Includes:
- Site (on private land) for a three day weekend
- All Firewood & propane heaters
- Flush restrooms (that are clean)
- Clean maintained restrooms with flush toilets
- (free)(hot) Showers available
- Restaurants and Grocery adjacent
- Pool and Jacuzzi available.
- Super Civilized Camping.
- Perfect for the beginner and first timers.
- Many come solo.
- Come alone and leave with friends. Come with friends & leave with more friends.
Tell me about food and everything else.
The logistics of providing food for every possible diet, as well as food prep issues is just not feasible or safe.
AND
Due to varied dietary needs and food contact issues, it's better if bring what you like and prep it.
What gear do I need?
The only specialized gear you need is Tent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping Pad (yoga mat). Everything else is household items you already have.
Special note: this is Tent camping. No RV. No Trailers. No giant campervans.
Can I park my car next to my tent?
Sniffing tires, oil, exhaust and fuel? Yuck!!! You cars will be close. But not on top of us. Cars on one side. Humans on the other. If we overflow our parking area . . . there is an overflow parking area.
Carpools?
- Carpool info goes out ONLY to paid attendees. (it really sucks to set up a carpool with a person who is not actually going)
- Carpool info ONLY goes out to those who fill out the ATTENDEES/CARPOOL FORM (this way it is reliable info)
- Carpool info goes out all at once (not as you sign on)
- Carpool info goes out 1 week before the event. Too early and most carpools fall apart. It really sucks when your ride canceled at asked for a refund a month ago but did not tell you. Carpools info sent when it is stable of who is attending.
- Carpool in week before makes sense because that's when people can really determine schedule and departure time and availability.
Refunds?
If requested 2 weeks before event start: 100% refund.
If requested less than 2 weeks: 100% Full Credit be applied to ANY future event we run.
Questions? CLICK HERE to send a Direct Message
OTHER INFO:
- Carpool info
- Newbie Camping Advice All things GEAR
- Newbie Camping Advice All things FOOD
- General Policies
This event is cross-posted to several groups. The number RSVP'd is not accurate. To see most of the RSVPs' AND RSVP on the main event CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE to join in on the other fun events planned.
Notice: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, gender preference, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, national identity, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, political beliefs or even for belly button lint.
We welcome all, and that includes you!
- Mt Kilimanjaro Trek, One of the 7 Summits! Join us on this bucket list adventureSan Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, CA
Our Meetup is off to another hiking adventure! Mt Kilimanjaro, as the tallest mountain in Africa, is included in the 7 Summits of the world.
It is a bucket-list item for all hard-core hikers and mountain lovers.Let's get to some numbers. It is 5,895m/19,340ft
BUT . . . our starting elevation for the trek is 3795m/12541ft
As such elevation gain is 2100m/6799ft
To compare Everest Base Camp trek, is about 2754m/9035ft elevation change. And Mt Whitney is about 1828m/6000ft elevation change.
The key to being able to succeed in this endeavor lays in the route and the support system.
We are taking the Lemosho Route via the Northern Circuit. The Northern Circuit route is the longest and newest of the seven established Kilimanjaro routes. It's one of the best routes because it has the best acclimatization profile. This results in one of the highest summit success rates. Add to that stunning views, and comparatively relaxed pace. It is also much less crowded than the other Kilimanjaro routes.
As far as our support system: We will be accompanied by experienced guides, porters and cooks. They are certified, ensuring our safety and comfort. Porters will carry our gear.
We will have a high ratio of guides to hikers. Our guides will go our pace and support each and everyone of us, regardless of fitness level. In other words...you go your own speed and we all get there safe.
More about our trek/trip.
As with all our international trips, we picked the best season/time of year to go for weather and wild-life. Lemosho and Northern Circuit is a scenically spectacular and varied route. At the lower elevations it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season.Another thing we have done for timing is . . . the last stretch to the summit we leave camp at midnight. June 13th will be a Full Moon making it a stunning hike.
Each of our trips is personally crafted to offer the best places and best use of time.
But I don't have the needed gear?!
You don't need much more than the standard trekker's equipment. We will provide you with a list of what is already included and what can be rented there.Does this include food?
All meals on the trek potion are included and a cook travels with us!What is lodging like?
We are sleeping in new and comfortable tents (carried during the day by porters)I am new at this.
That's OK. We do plenty of prep Zooms before we depart. And in California we have a number of local outdoor day or weekend outings you can test out with us.How dangerous is this? What if I get sick or hurt?
We will be walking on an established, well used trail the entire time. Our trip INCLUDES emergency insurance. We are also Certified Wilderness First Responders and our guides are members of (AMREF) Flying Doctor.
Plain and simple, safety is our primary goal.How much does this cost?
Kilimajaro Mountain Trek $3850 per person, double occupancy. Land only (airfare not included). Solo supplement $600Trip Cost includes:
- 9 nights accommodation
- 3 meals everyday on the trek
- All Fees & Entrances and Taxes
- Camping equipment such as tents, tables, chairs.
- Lead Guide, Assistant Guides, Porters and CookRSVP to this event shows your interest, but does not hold your space.
The only way to secure your spot for this trip is a $300 deposit:
CLICK HERE FOR SECURE DEPOSIT LINK
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).IF you need an airfare quote, Click here to message Anna
For more information about this or any of our other international events, fill out this form: INTERNATIONAL MEETUPS INFO REQUESTWe do a monthly Q & A Zoom: Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered.
Click Here to RSVP to our ZoomThe MAIN location where this event is posted:
https://www.meetup.com/twofeet/events/298960441/
(RSVP there for any conversation and comments)This events is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective. We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too.
Click Here for our other events:
Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!
SOT 200318-10