About us
CLICK HERE to see our main meetup events calendar http://www.socialfundation.com
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.
Featured event
Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits ~ A bucket list adventure!
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.
We did this trek with Meetup in the summer of 2024 and it was a true experience of a lifetime (see photos below)
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 and pace. 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 wildlife. 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.
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?
Kilimanjaro Mountain Trek $3950 per person, double occupancy. Land only (airfare not included). Solo supplement $600
Trip 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 Cook
RSVP 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 REQUEST
To see pictures from our Kilimanjaro adventure in 2024 CLICK HERE
We do a monthly Q & A Zoom: Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered.
Click Here to RSVP to our Zoom
The MAIN location where this event is posted:
https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/302872805/
(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
Upcoming events
16
- $15.00
Overnight on the Point Reyes Seashore
Olema, CA, USCan't beat this one if the weather cooperates.
- Friday February 19th, we'll meet at the Bear Valley Visitor Center at 2 PM. We'll climb over the ridge and descend to great views to Coastal Camp. ~5.5. miles and 1,100 ft vertical.
- Saturday we'll head southeast on the coastal trail, stop at Kelham beach and then back to the visitor center. ~8 miles with insignificant vertical. Access to Kelham beach requires a bit of scrambling.
- Cost is $15 and is non refundable. There is a required $85 deposit that will be refunded after completing the trip or if the trip is cancelled for any reason.
- Here is the approximate route.
- Bad weather will cancel.
- RSVPs are locked by default. Email me first - reachdani @ gmail.com to coordinate a call to discuss the trip, your expereince, fitness etc. Please include your phone number and times that work for you for a call.
- There are currently 4 slots available (we will be 8 on this trip).
- Details re equipment, carpooling etc. will be discussed on the mandatory pre-trip conference call on the 16th. No signing up after that.
- RSVPs will be opened ad-hoc after we speak and the fee and deposit are paid.
- I (Daniel Shefer) reserve the sole right to modify the trip itinerary as I deem necessary at any time.
- Bear canisters are recommended as the critters can get feisty. No pets allowed.
Since I'm a new organizer in this group, here's a bit about me.
I've been hiking since before GPS was a thing and organizing backpacking trips and day hikes for the past several years for various MeetUp groups. Safety comes first and we hike as a group hence the focus on appropriate fitness and experience. I haven't lost anyone on the trail yet, not even the person who went looking for bears in SNP without telling me...
I look forward to seeing you on the trail. The mountains are calling!1 attendee 
Northern Lights. A Scandinavian Odyssey! Reindeer, Dog Sledding, Ice Hotel !
SFO AIRPORT, San Francisco International Airport 94128, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USGaze at the Northern Lights, enjoy a sleigh ride, be a reindeer herder for a day, learn about the Sámi culture, visit an ice hotel, taste some good Scandinavian delicacies, visit the ABBA museum...My, oh my! These are just some of the fun activities we are planning to do during this once-in-a-life time adventure!
Like all our adventures, this one is crafted from the ground up with the true spirit of Meetup in mind. We handle every little detail before and during the trip, accompany and guide the group, creating a stress-free journey with a laid-back, friendly vibe. No big tour operators, no inflated prices — we work directly with locals to give you authentic experiences and unbeatable value.
Come as strangers, leave as lifelong friends — and make memories that stick forever!
We visit:
- Stockholm
- Kiruna (Lapland)
- Helsinki
- Copenhagen (optional pre-trip)
The trip includes:
* 2 nights in Stockholm
* A night train from Stockholm to Lapland in a private sleeping compartment
* 4 nights in Kiruna
* 3 nights in Helsinki
* Airfare from Kiruna to Helsinki
* Arrival and departure transfers
* Sightseeing tours in Stockholm and Helsinki
* Boat ride in Stockholm
* Food tasting in Helsinki
* Breakfast daily
* 2 dinners and 3 lunches
* Northern Lights Tour
* Jukkasjärvi Icehotel Half-Day Tour
* Full-Day Reindeer Tour
* Husky Sleigh RidePrice per person, double occupancy: $4995
(we match roommates for those wishing to share)
Price for single room: $6545Not Included:
x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that)
x Meals not listed above
x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses
x Optional extension to CopenhagenThe only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit
Click Here for Secure Deposit Link
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).*** Final payment due 60 days before departure***
Click Here and Fill out this Form if you are making a DepositFor a detailed Day By Day itinerary:
Click Here to fill out our info request formLimited capacity of 16 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly.
***Airfare from/to the US not included***OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP TO COPENHAGEN offered at $590 per person/double or $785 solo occupancy (air from Helsinki to Copenhagen not included)
Click Here to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.
She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions.Click Here to see all our other fun events
SOT 2000318-102 attendees
Yosemite Firefalls Weekend - Camping and Hiking - 2 nights or 1 night option :)
Location not specified yetYosemite Firefalls - A Waterfall That Looks like On Fire at Sunset
Firefalls Weekend and Camping in the heart of Yosemite Valley to avoid the crazy traffic in n out of the park during the weekend with 2-6 hour lines :). There are no specific dates when the Firefall is guaranteed to be visible. The window for which you should aim if you want to see it is mid to late-February. The best potential dates are going to fall within a roughly two week window around this time and it depends on the conditions - snow pack, temperature, and weather.
We'll still have easy access to easy, moderate, and tough hikes in addition to the touristy stuff. People can do things on their own or with the group. Limited to two cars and any additional cars can be parked in the overflow lot. People not carpooling will need to park in the overflow lot.
Please respond to all the questions when you RSVP and I'll shortlist people for lottery based on who all meet the pre-reqs. Will reach out to shortlisted people with next steps. Your spot is confirmed after you confirm via venmo/zelle and there's no refund unless the trip is cancelled, so please commit accordingly. If someone can't confirm/pay within a couple of days, they will be back to No Go/WL. Same for anyone who hasn't provided the requisite level of details.
- $40-50 pp for 2 nights or $25-30 pp for 1 night (includes camping permit and firewoods)
- Prior camping experience is recommended
- People who are not carpooling will need to park overnight at the overflow parking quarter mile away
As always - respect the wilderness, LNT, and follow trail etiquettes
Rain or shine :)
If you do not know about "Leave No Trace" policy, please search for it or this event is not for you. Please carry 10 essentials:)
INDEMNITY - This group, its organizers, event hosts, volunteers, or its members are not liable for any DUI, accidents or incidents at the venue or outside. When you RSVP or attend any event, you agree to WAIVE any and all LIABILITY.
The hosts and organizers of this meetup group are indemnified for any actions taken within and outside this meetup group. They are not liable for any misuse, abuse and misconduct by this group's members or anyone in the general public. Members are responsible for their own conduct within and outside this group12 attendees
Past events
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