About us
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-2024-04-22.120057649728It 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/3tWiQVYhJUQjM25F8Look for blue Honda CRV -
206.714.9257We 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.10 attendees
Let's Climb Mount Saint Helens- Fast Pace Alpine Start Winter Climb
Eastgate Park and Ride, Bellevue, WA, USMSH in winter is one of our favorite volcano climbs. We have visited the mountain every year in winter for many years.
Join Matthew, Cindy, Lili, and Michael on this endurance adventure.
The views in winter on a clear sunny day can be very majestic and memorable.
Winter conditions (snow and ice) present a great opportunity to keep your skills sharp and to gain new skills.
This is a challenging hike with significant gain and solid stats. The first 2.5 miles is a warm-up gaining about 500 feet. Shortly after Chocolate Falls, the trail gains over 5000 feet in about 2.7 miles. This will help will kick start your 2026 climbing season and prepare you for other major climbs later in 2026.
This climb will help you condition, plan, work as a team, build endurance and stamina, manage mental and physical toughness, and learn safety skills for winter climbing. Develop overall winter skills- ice ax, crampons, glissading, understand avi risk/conditions, and more. You will gain some sweat equity and significant currency of toil!!
Reach out if you have moderate skills and would like to climb with us. I can provide training and conditioning tips; plus, mountaineering skills feedback to help prepare you.
Join the waitlist to considered and added to the confirmed team.
Plan:
Conditions permitting, the dates may change as we get closer to the event date.
Leave the Seattle area around 12pm or so and drive to the trailhead.
Car camp at the trailhead
Alpine start around 3 or 4am
Hike the Worm Flows route
Follow the route up to the true summit which is about 1/3 mile west of the false summit and 150 feet higher.
With slightly easier route and less ice/wind conditions, the majority of climbers go to the false summit. We are not going to the false summit.
Enjoy the views for about 30 minutes or so.
Hike back down the same route to the TH and drive back to the Seattle area.
We might stop for dinner on the way back- team consensus.Stats:
Highest point: 8364 feet
Gain- 5700 feet
Distance- 10.5 miles RTGear:
Stiff boots
Ice ax
Crampons
Gaiters
Warm clothing with layers and wind rain/snow protection. NO COTTON
Sun protection
Food and water for the day
Hiking poles
Snowshoes - depending on temperature and conditions at the timeClimbing Route:
As listed on AlltrailsHelpful Links:
More about the route and climb from the USFS
More information from WTATransportation and Carpooling:
Carpooling will be arranged and coordinated before we leave to the trailhead.
two to three passengers per vehicle
Passengers should contribute toward the cost - typically about .20 or .30 cents per mile x total miles divided by the number of people in the car.Directions:
From the town of Cougar, drive east on Lewis River Road, which turns into Forest Road 90. Continue on FR 90 until the intersection with Forest Road 83. Turn left on FR 83 and continue approximately 6 miles to the Marble Mountain Sno-Park. During the winter and early spring, FR 83 is gated at the Sno-Park.
Sno-park permit required for each vehicle32 attendees
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