What we’re about
SOA hikes everywhere from cities to mountains to deserts. We go backpacking, biking, and climbing; ski and snowshoe, kayak, sail and swim, and in many other ways celebrate nature and the great outdoors.
While exploring the Pacific Northwest is thrilling and restorative, we care about our delicate environments and promote Leave-No-Trace principles and good trail etiquette.
To better protect ourselves from injuries and other life-threatening conditions, all members should take safety and preparedness seriously, carry the Ten Essentials, and be self reliant.
Check our calendar and join us on an upcoming adventure. We're eager to welcome new friends and hope to meet you in person soon.
Your Organizer, Michael Songbird
DISCLAIMER: All activities hosted by Seattle Outdoor Adventurers (SOA) involve risk. Becoming an SOA member and/or participating in events offered by our Meetup group, you agree to release, hold harmless, and indemnify SOA, its members, and its organizers from any and all liability. You alone are responsible for your safety, comfort, and health.
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SOA Event Attendance Disclaimer
S.O.A. is not a professional guide service. SOA meetup organizers function, as facilitators only, to enhance the collective group outdoor experience. By participating in any SOA event you agree to release, hold harmless, and indemnify SOA, its members, and its organizers from any and all liability in the event of injury or loss. Reports of trail and weather conditions are available to all (internet) and subject to change. You are responsible for your own safety and the overall safety and wellbeing of the group. We respect the environment we adventure in. We collectively know that hiking involves risks and that weather changes quickly in the mountains. We know the more prepared we individually are, the better the chance we will remain safe as a group. We leave no trace.
[signing up for any S.O.A. organized event indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms of this disclaimer and hold harmless all S.O.A. Organizers and Event Hosts in the event of injury or loss].
Additional information about our group, Member responsibilities, and clarification of the role of Organizer:
Seattle Outdoor Adventurers (SOA) activities may involve certain dangers including but not limited to: hazards of travel in rugged terrain, physical stress, mental stress, inclement weather, and intended and unintended actions of other Members and Organizers.
Participating Members agree to the following statements:
- I am physically capable of safely participating in SOA events that I join.
- I am equipped with the appropriate gear and clothing for SOA events that I join. If not, I have pre-arranged required gear with the Organizer.
- I hold responsibility for my own safety while participating in SOA events which I join.
- I assume all risks while participating in SOA events that I join.
- SOA is not a guide service.
- SOA Organizers are not guides.
- Per Meetup.com's Terms of Service Agreement, SOA organizers are released from all forms of liability related to SOA events.
- I am 18-years-old or older. Note: Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Tips on preparing for a safe outing:
Before venturing into our state's amazing backcountry check the Weather Forecast. During winter, spring, and early summer, check the Avalanche Forecast.
If you're new to Washington state, be advised that Search and Rescue teams are busy year-round assisting lost, injured, and/or ill-equipped backcountry recreationists. You can increase your chances of a safe outing by equipping yourself with (and knowing how to use) the Ten Essentials. The Mountaineers offer an excellent low-cost hands-on navigation training course which teaches backcountry map and compass use.
Your feedback is important and welcomed!
If you have any questions or comments about our group you're welcome to email the main organizer or post your question or comment on our group's Message Board. It is our Members and Organizers who make this group a great one so thank you for making it one of Seattle's best!
Upcoming events
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Let's Hike- Mid-week Conditioning (Tolt Pipeline Trail)
Location not specified yetWeekly Conditioning Hikes-
These hikes are fast paced and intended to help condition during winter months. I recommend this for members trying to train for the major mountains in the area. Such as Baker, Adams, MSH, Rainier, etc.
Whenever possible, and depending on group size and dynamic, we might use the interval method when we meet at Tolt Pipeline Trail.
If you want to train with a heavy load, you can bring your larger pack and load it with water. Your mountaineering boots and hiking poles recommended to help simulate the same experience for larger mountains.
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Tolt Pipeline Trail:
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2024-04-22.120057649728
It is known for its varied terrain, including some steep grades, and provides views of wineries, breweries, and natural areas as it runs through suburban and rural landscapes. The trail is accessible from different points, such as the North Athletic Fields parking area in Woodinville, and connects to other trails like the Sammamish River Trail.
Please note, we are not doing the entire pipeline trail. We are only doing the small section, which starts in Woodinville near Sammamish River Taril and goes for about 1/3 mile. It is important to meet at the provided coordinates provided below (Park Here)
This is a nice short trail to help gauge your level and set a baseline for improvement.
Park Here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3tWiQVYhJUQjM25F8
Look for blue Honda CRV -
206.714.9257
We will hike up to the metal gate and come back down. Repeat this as many times as possible. I typically get about five to six trips in an hour or so, depending on conditions.
Weather:
Good conditions. No rain or wind.
----------------------Conditioning Hikes------------
Through some of the shorter and darker winter month days, I will be planning weekly or bi-monthly conditioning hikes whenever possible. These will be local hikes focused on Tiger Mountain trails in Issaquah, or Tolt Pipeline Trail in Woodinville.
All the hikes will start in late afternoon or early evening.
My preferred trail on Tiger is Cable Line, which is about 4 miles RT and 2000 feet gain. Unless it is heavy rain where the trail pretty much becomes a creek. In that case, we could opt for West Tiger 3 or a closer spot such as Tolt Pipeline in Woodinville.
Headlamps required.
Be prepared for the conditions. Light rain gear and windbreaker recommended, unless you like to suffer.
Unless time and traffic conditions allow, I will not be setting a carpooling spot for these events. Just meet me at the TH.
If you live nearby in the Redmond/Kirkland/Woodinville areas, and you need to carpool, I might be able to help coordinate. Just message me in advance.8 attendees
Interested in becoming an event organizer for SOA meetup?
Issaquah Transit Center, 1464 Newport Way NW, Issaquah, wa, USPLEASE ANSWER THE TWO QUESTIONS, WHEN PROMPTED, WHEN YOU RSVP. THIS MEETUP IS OPEN TO PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING MEETUP ORGANIZERS FOR SOA. ANY CURRENT ORGANIZER OR PARTICIPANT THAT WANTS TO ASSIST WITH THE TRAINING IS ALSO WELCOME TO JOIN. YOUR HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
This is an opportunity for those who want to become an event organizer for SOA. As many of you know, we have almost 30,000 members, and we need to build more organizer capacity.
This meetup will focus on skills for being an effective event organizer, including:
· What is outdoor adventure.
· Preparation and research for your meetup.
· Setting up and editing a meetup. What to communicate and how to effectively communicate it in your posting.
· Vetting and adding participants.
· How to follow up with communications, preparation, and other logistics for the meetup.
· What to pack or bring on your adventure. We will discuss gear, specifically for a hike, but we can discuss gear other activities.
· Expectations of the organizer and the participants.
· Group dynamics. How to manage the event safely. We will be doing a hike and discussing how to handle possible scenarios that could arise on the meetup.
· Any other questions you may have.
Schedule:
7:45 AM Meet at Issaquah Transit Center (by the Northeast entrance of the parking garage). For people who want to carpool.
8 AM Meet at Issaquah Coffee Company. People are welcome to meet us at the coffee company instead of the Transit Center, but please communicate if you intend to do so. We will go over how to set up a meetup, and other logistics. I plan to bring my laptop for this. We will also discuss gear to bring for a meetup if we have time and space to do so.
11 AM (approximately) We will travel to Squak Mountain Access Trailhead to for a moderately strenuous hike. (6-8 miles with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain.) We will go over various scenarios that organizers may encounter, and how to handle those scenarios. Be prepared for possible rain, snow, and hiking in the dark. If all goes well, we should be back by 5 to 6 PM at the latest.
Once we return to the trailhead we will plan to do a debrief, answer questions, and conclude the meetup. People who carpool will need to return to the transit center on their own.
We can do a follow-up gathering for food and drink if people are interested. This is optional, of course.
Upon completion of this meetup, attendees should be qualified to start organizing events for Seattle Outdoor Adventurers meetup. I will promote all interested attendees to event organizers
What to bring for the morning:
A notepad and writing utensil if you plan to take notes
Money for food and drink at the café.
A laptop computer is optional, but unnecessary. Keep in mind that we will likely have to store our laptops in our vehicles for several hours while we hike. You can also access meetup from your smartphone.
What to bring for the hike:
Hiking clothes (hiking pants, clothing layers (t-shirt, mid-layer, outer layer such as a sweater and/or puffy jacket, sturdy boots or hiking shoes). Avoid any clothing made of cotton, as cotton absorbs moisture and can remove body heat when wet. Waterproof rain gear, including rain jacket, and rain pants if you have them. Gloves and gaiters encouraged.
Hiking Pack to fit all your belongings.
Food and Water Snacks, water, lunch. Have enough food and water for a 5 to 6 hour hike.
10 Essentials This includes a headlamp, a form of navigation (GPS, and/or map & compass), First aid Kit, a fire starter (matches or lighter) Sun Protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses). Other items such as emergency shelter, knife, extra food, water, and clothes are optional for the hike, but encouraged. A link to the 10 essentials can be found at: https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/what-are-the-ten-essentials
Optional: Trekking poles, camera,
You are welcome to bring other gear for mountaineering such as helmets, crampons, snowshoes, ice axe, etc. Or gear for other activities. These will not be necessary for the hike, but you are welcome to bring them for gear discussion.
If you have follow up questions, please let me know.3 attendees
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