Backpacking
Meet other local people interested in Backpacking: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Backpacking group.
0
members
0
groups
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out backpacking events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the backpacking events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find backpacking events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Backpacking Events Today
Join in-person Backpacking events happening right now
Mountain Skills 1 Course
***Mountain Skills for Only €120 / course***
Ever wanted to learn the skills you need to become a competent navigator in the Irish mountains, the UK, the Alps or beyond!
As a fully qualified mountain guide and course provider for Mountaineering Ireland and the UK, I run Mountain Skills which is a nationally accredited course and is delivered in an upland environment.
Hiking in Ireland can be challenging not only because of its wilderness, but the island has very little sign posted hiking trails in the mountains or hills. In addition to this, as being an island in the Atlantic we experience the forces of nature; storms and weather events. In other words, Ireland is probably the best place in Europe to learn a new outdoor skill like Mountain Skills.
The aim of this course is to help you learn the skills you need to get out hiking in the hills and mountains independently, safely and responsibly. You will learn how to navigate with confidence by any type of weather conditions.
A Mountain Skills course is run over 2 days in an upland environment and covers:
Map reading, map description, map scale, contour lines, land and ground features, navigation legs, simple navigation techniques, setting the map, the 5 D, estimation of direction & destination, grid reference, mountain hazards, hypothermia, mountain environment, timing, pacing, route planning, route card, emergency procedures, personal equipment, safe movement skills, river crossing and much more…
Some level of fitness is essential in taking part in this course.
Each course (MS1 / MS2) is a 20 hour syllabus which includes indoor and outdoor sessions and night navigation (MS2)
**A course includes:**
Maps and compass provided, tea breaks, course notes, 3 route cards, a free hiking day practice as part of a weekend.
**For Only €100 for under 18 and students and €120 for adults.**
Accommodations can be provided
Her are few additionnal dates:
Jan 24-25 MS2 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow
Feb 11-12 MS1 Comeragh, Co.Waterford
March 21-22 Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow
March 28-29 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow
April MS1 18-19 Glenmalure, Co,Wickow
For more information contact us at: [aeaccom@gmail.com](mailto:aeaccom@gmail.com) / +35387 9691193
Or go to: [www.mountainadventures74.com](http://www.mountainadventures74.com)
IN-PERSON: Apache Kafka® x Apache Flink® Meetup
Join us for an Apache Kafka® x Apache Flink® meetup on Wednesday February 25th from 6:00pm in Dublin hosted by Autodesk!
**Venue:**
Autodesk
1 Windmill Lane, 2nd Floor, Dublin D02 F206
**PLEASE BRING A FORM OF VALID ID AND REGISTER WITH YOUR DETAILS FOR SECURITY PURPOSES/BUILDING ACCESS. THANK YOU!**
**Agenda:**
* 6:00pm: Doors open
* 6:00pm – 6:30pm: Food, Drinks & Networking
* 6:30pm - 7:15pm: John Byrne, Sr. Manager, Partner Applied Solutions, Confluent
* 7:15pm - 8:00pm: Rishayah Kumar Trivedi, Senior DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk & Douglas Hobson, Principal DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk
* 8:00pm - 9:00pm: Additional Q&A and Networking
**First Speaker:**
John Byrne, Sr. Manager, Partner Applied Solutions, Confluent
**Title of Talk:**
Flink State: Design Choices You Can’t Undo *(on Confluent Cloud)*
**Abstract:**
A practical look at how state behaves when running Flink on Confluent Cloud, the early design decisions teams often underestimate (keyed state, TTLs, upgrades, reprocessing), and the kinds of problems that only show up months later.
**Bio:**
John Byrne is a Sr. Manager, Partner Applied Solutions at Confluent, the company founded by the original creators of Apache Kafka®. With a strong background in data engineering, John previously worked for Slice, Registers of Scotland, and Sopra Steria, where he specialized in event streaming, ETLs, and data governance. Passionate about GIS, mapping, and ETL processes, he has delivered talks at FOSS4G and developed production-grade ETL projects incorporating spatial data and mapping technologies.
In his spare time, John enjoys playing golf and coaching his local youth rugby team.
**Second Speakers:**
Rishayah Kumar Trivedi, Senior DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk & Douglas Hobson, Principal DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk
**Title of Talk:**
To Production and Platform: Our Kafka Journey, DR Strategy, and Kafka-as-a-Service
**Abstract:**
In various organisations, multiple teams have historically had to build Kafka the hard way, spending months on security hardening, compliance validation, observability, and disaster recovery, often repeating the same work with inconsistent outcomes. The result is slow onboarding, duplicated effort, and operational silos that don’t scale as more streaming use cases come online. In this talk, we walk through our Kafka production journey on AWS MSK: how we began with a POC, what it really takes to make Kafka production-ready, and the key platform decisions we had to take to standardise the architecture and operations.
We’ll then dive into disaster recovery for streaming applications where the hard problems aren’t just infrastructure failover, but event continuity and restoring pipelines under pressure. We’ll share our HA DR approach for Kafka-backed systems, including an active/passive regional strategy, and practical failover/failback considerations to minimise RPO/RTO. Finally, we’ll close with our Kafka-as-a-Service (KaaS) vision for Autodesk teams: self-service, policy-driven deployments and service tiers that let internal teams onboard in hours instead of months so the product teams can focus on building streaming features, while the platform provides consistent guardrails for security, reliability, and recoverability. Attendees will leave with a checklist of production-ready requirements for Kafka, a clear mental model for DR in streaming systems and a set of platform patterns for evolving towards Kafka-as-a-Service.
**Bios:**
**Rishayah Kumar Trivedi (Senior DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk)**
Rishayah is a Senior DevOps/SRE engineer at Autodesk's data streaming and processing platform team with 9+ years of experience building scalable cloud infrastructure and automating enterprise deployments. He holds industry-recognised credentials in AWS, Kubernetes, and DevOps, and has led many initiatives improving reliability, performance, and security through Shift-left approach, IaC and CI/CD best practices.
**Douglas Hobson (Principal DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk)**
Douglas is an accomplished Principal Devops/SRE engineer in Autodesk's data streaming and processing platform team with extensive experience in cloud architecture, infrastructure automation, and systems reliability. With a proven track record at various firms, he has led global teams in building scalable, secure, and high-performing cloud environments. Skilled in AWS, IaC, and distributed systems, Douglas is recognised for his technical leadership, problem-solving expertise, and commitment to operational excellence.
\*\*\*
DISCLAIMER
We are unable to cater for any attendees under the age of 18.
If you would like to speak or host our next event please let us know! [community@confluent.io](http://community@confluent.io/)
Offline Reading Party 📚 | Third Space Smithfield
📚 **Join The Offline Club at the Third Space Smithfield cafe for our Offline Reading Party.**
Lock phone away and enjoy a relaxing reading time free of digital distractions. This reading party is your time to disconnect from screens, unwind from the daily buzz and meet like-minded people (and their books).
It’s like a little escape into a different world where time slows down, people are open to connect, and you can truly focus on yourself.
THIS LISTING IS DISCOVERY ONLY! GET YOUR TICKETS AT:
[https://lu.ma/zfqh1oeg](https://lu.ma/zfqh1oeg)
**🎟️ Ticket Pricing:**
**"Standard" - 10EUR**
**"You +1" - 15EUR**
***
**What to expect:**
📖 Peaceful (me-)time to read that book you keep meaning to start (or finish!)
🤝 The chance to meet and connect with like-minded booklovers
💬 A space where connection is easy - no rush, no pressure, no notifications
🫖 Community vibes, calming background music, and a welcoming atmosphere
📵 Valuable time offline that leaves you feeling rested and fulfilled
\*\*Third Space Smithfield is kindly hosting us to support our mission, so let’s return the love - your own drinks and snacks may stay home, you can purchase the drinks and snacks in the cafe.\*
***
**The Program, curated by our community hosts:**
18:30 \- 19:00 \| Arrive & make yourself at home
19:00 \- 20:00 \| Dive into your book
20:00 \- 21:15 \| Connect with others
21:15 \- 21:30 \| Round\-up and goodbye
**👉🏼 Dive into your book**
This is your time to sit back and enjoy uninterrupted reading time. Slow down, recharge and feel the magic of reading alone, together. Please bring your own book, ebook, graphic novel, or poetry bundle - we love all literature.
**👉🏼 Connect with others**
Chat & connect with others, but only if you feel like it. This is the time to meet new people, connect over books, and enjoy meaningful conversations. We create laid-back spaces where talking to strangers is the norm and connection is made easy. Feel free to come solo, or with friends.
**We can’t wait to swap screen time for real time with you.**
Love, The Offline Club Dublin
THIS LISTING IS DISCOVERY ONLY! GET YOUR TICKETS AT:
[https://lu.ma/zfqh1oeg](https://lu.ma/zfqh1oeg)
**🎟️ Ticket Pricing:**
**"Standard" - 10EUR**
**"You +1" - 15EUR**
***
***About your phone:*** *Your phone will rest in our phone hotel, and we’ll be its bodyguards. But just so you know, if it magically disappears, learns to fly, or mysteriously breaks, The Offline Club can’t be held responsible.*
*In case you’re not quite ready to let it go, no worries - feel free to turn it off and keep it tucked away, out of sight!*
Meditation, Buddha Dharma and Qi-gong
About us:
The Tibetan Dharma and Meditation Group is part of a Buddhist organisation based in Taiwan, which is centred on one of the greatest living Rinpoches (teachers) in the world at the moment. It aims to introduce people living in Ireland to Buddhist teachings and practices that have been passed to Rinpoche through his masters and their masters going back many, many generations in order to benefit and bring peace to all sentient beings.
Location:
We hold our meetings in the small hall at Sandyford Community Centre, Lambs Cross, Sandyford, Dublin 18.
Dublin to Glencullen Loop
Join us for a cycle out to Glencullen and back.
🚨Warning: this cycle has a steep/long climb.
🚨Please have back and front lights on your bike for this cycle.
The total distance is 30km, but it has 450m of climbing taken on all at once. We do not go fast up the climb, we go as slow as needed.
Here is our plan for the evening:
1️⃣We leave at 5:30PM from The Yellow House in Rathfarnum. Note that we meet acroos the road from The Yellow House by the church.
2️⃣We cycle South to where we'll climb up to Glencullen via R116. Note that due to subsided road, we have to make a detour up military road.
3️⃣If time allows, we'll make a stop at the blue light pub for a break
4️⃣After break, we'll head back to city centre.
This is a short evening route with a fair bit of climbing with some great views throughout the ride.
See link for komoot map below:
https://www.komoot.com/tour/2779089855?share_token=alDRZAPRbc9PFDhdKOriAtlkDauMTwQSmUyYcW8MZvZdvCWpj4&ref=wtd
⛑ PLEASE WEAR A HELMET and bring a tube in case you have a puncture.
WAIVER & RELEASE:
We are a group composed of volunteers. We are not a professional organisation. As such, each of us is responsible for our own safety and well-being during an organised event. The organiser(s) is not in any way responsible for any participant on the trip. However, as a group of friends, we make an effort to look out for one another to the best of our ability.
By joining this event, you and your guests agree to and accept the following waiver and liability amendment to the Meetup Terms of Service at https://www.meetup.com/terms/ ;
1. My guests and I have read the Meetup Terms of Service at https://www.meetup.com/terms/ and hereby amend it to include the same waiver and release therein to this event's organiser(s) and participants.
Backpacking Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Waitlist - The Spanglish Camino 2026: +90 h inmersión bilingüe
📅***Date to be confirmed.*** Fecha por confirmar.
📍***From the City to the Camino.*** De la ciudad al Camino.
***After organizing several Walk & Talk events in Barcelona and Tenerife, we’ve decided it’s time to take this concept to the next level.*** Después de organizar varios eventos de Walk & Talk en Barcelona y Tenerife, hemos decidido que es hora de llevar este concepto al siguiente nivel.
***People have absolutely loved the formula.*** A la gente le ha encantado nuestra fórmula:
* ***Meeting new people from all over.*** Conocer gente nueva de todo el mundo.
* ***Hitting those 10k steps a day.*** Cumplir con los 10k pasos diarios.
* ***Practicing Spanish and English with natives from around the world.*** Practicar español e inglés con nativos de todo el mundo.
***And what better place than the Camino de Santiago to turn our 90-minute Saturday strolls into a full 90-hour immersive week?*** ¿Qué mejor sitio que El Camino de Santiago para llevar nuestros paseos de 90 minutos de los sábados a una semana de inmersión total de 90 horas?
❓***How it works***. *Cómo funciona*
***We are looking for a small, balanced group.*** Buscamos un grupo pequeño y equilibrado:
* ***10 Native or fluent English speakers.*** 10 Hablantes nativos o fluidos de inglés.
* ***10 Native or fluent Spanish speakers.*** 10 Hablantes nativos o fluidos de español.
***The goal is a strict 50/50 split so you always have someone to practice with. No "tourist traps," just a week of real connection and language exchange.*** El objetivo es un 50/50 estricto para que siempre tengas a alguien con quien practicar. Sin "trampas para turistas", solo una semana de conexión real e intercambio de idiomas.
**❓*How many days?*** ¿Cuántos días son?
***Plan for 7 days (6 nights). We’ll walk the final 100km to Santiago to get the "Compostela" certificate.*** Cuenta con 7 días (6 noches). Recorreremos los últimos 100 km hasta Santiago para conseguir el certificado de la "Compostela".
❓***What’s the budget?*** ¿Cuál es el presupuesto?
***We’re still finalizing details, but expect a total investment of around €750 - €950.*** Aún estamos cerrando detalles, pero cuenta con una inversión total de unos 750€ - 950€.
***This is an all-in-one package that includes.*** Es un paquete con todo incluido que contiene:
* ***Shared accommodation in hostels.*** Alojamiento en hostales seleccionados (habitaciones compartidas).
* ***Breakfasts and Dinners (lunch/picnic on your own).*** Desayunos y cenas incluidos (el almuerzo/picnic en ruta es por cuenta propia).
* ***Luggage transport between stages.*** Transporte de mochila entre etapas.
* ***Full Immersion Program (+90 hours of live practice).*** Programa de Inmersión Total (+90 horas de práctica real).
* ***Pre-trip Training: Access to our online courses and prep sessions to get to know each other and gain speaking confidence before we even start walking.*** Fase de Preparación Previa: Acceso a nuestros cursos online y sesiones para ir conociéndonos y ganar confianza al hablar incluso antes de empezar a caminar.
❓ ***Do I need to be an athlete?*** ¿Tengo que ser un atleta?
***Not really, but you should be comfortable walking about 20km a day. It’s a challenge, but we’ll go at a steady, conversational pace.*** Realmente no, pero deberías sentirte cómodo caminando unos 20 km al día. Es un reto, pero iremos a un ritmo constante y conversacional.
❓ ***Where is the meeting point?*** ¿Cuál es el lugar de encuentro?
***We will all meet in Sarria (Lugo). Most people fly into Santiago or Madrid and take a train/bus to join the group there.*** Nos reuniremos todos en Sarria (Lugo). La mayoría de la gente vuela a Santiago o Madrid y coge un tren o autobús para unirse al grupo allí.
❓ ***Why join the list?***¿Por qué unirte a la lista?
***Places will be very limited (only 20 spots). If you join the waitlist, you’ll get the itinerary and the early-bird price before we announce it on social media.*** Las plazas serán muy limitadas (solo 20). Si te unes a la lista, recibirás el itinerario y el precio reducido antes de que lo anunciemos en redes sociales.
***Just RSVP "YES" to join the list. We’ll reach out to you as soon as the dates and details are ready.*** Solo dale a "Asistir" para entrar en la lista. Nos pondremos en contacto contigo en cuanto tengamos listas las fechas y los detalles.y los detalles.
***⚠️ IMPORTANT: This is a Waiting List. The date you see is just a placeholder to keep the event active. By clicking "RSVP," you’re simply telling us you’re interested so we can send you the info first.*** IMPORTANTE: Esto es una Lista de Espera. La fecha que ves es solo para mantener el evento activo. Al darle a "Asistir", solo nos confirmas que te interesa para que podamos enviarte la información antes que a nadie.
30's - 45's Singles Speed Friending Chats 2026🥂 - Make New Friends
Are you Solo!! Would you like to meet and chat with other singles? We are having Social Singles chats. Chat with other singles and Make new 💑 friends🍻😀. Meeting other singles face to face is a fast way to see and get to know other singles without apps. We are meeting for social drinks 🥂 including soft drinks 🍺🍸🍷at Bruxelles Pub.
We will go to another late bar afterwards. So Dress Nice & neat please. Leave your surfing cloths and 🏖 surfboards at home please.😂
[https://youtu.be/wD0Mm6WIcYs?feature=shared](https://youtu.be/wD0Mm6WIcYs?feature=shared)
[https://youtu.be/jzy2dgEUOhY?si=e3mDbky36kyStLsV](https://youtu.be/jzy2dgEUOhY?si=e3mDbky36kyStLsV)
Many new people come solo to socialize and make new friends, so do not worry if you are solo, you are welcome to join us. I will introduce you to others in the group,so you are no longer solo. 😆Welcome to ask me questions about hiking gear and 🐬🐠🐡 scuba diving.
Bachata and Salsa classes with Dubachata
Adult Bachata and Salsa dance classes with practice social at Coolock Ardlea Scout Den Coolock Village.
This is a mirror studio located upstairs from the hall with nice wooden floors.
This is a weekly Thursday event. Come down, learn and have fun!
Men and Women are welcome.
Free taster for first timers and discount for students, request via dm.
Beginners cost 10 euro for all beginner classes and practice.
BachaSal Saturdays @Turk's Head
Tired of casual chit chat with no connection among strangers? Looking for a new activity to pick up on weekends? Ready to get your body moving, sweating, and discover a new side of yourself you did not know you had? You are in luck, we have just what the doctor ordered!
Experience the wonderful environment that can only be had with the sound of Afro-Latin music. Learn to feel the rhythm and body movement of traditional Cuban Salsa, show off your moves with Sensual bachata, or simply come to have good craic and meet new folks! Class schedule as follows:
● **3 - 4pm**: Salsa class
● **4 - 5pm:** Bachata class
● **5 - 6pm:** Social Dance
● **VENUE**: Turk's Head 27 Parliament St Dublin 2
***Note***: *Meetup attendance list is not reflective of actual number of people that show up! Come with or without a partner and get ready to dance!*
Check our website for specifics on upcoming events: [https://www.dublinsalsabachata.com](https://www.dublinsalsabachata.com/)
Bohernabreena Reservoir Upper Loop
Join us for a walk around Bohernabreena Reservoir Upper Loop. This is a great trail for people of all fitness levels. The route begins on a paved road, followed by a couple of small inclines, before heading around the reservoir.
We will meet at 11am at the Bohernabreena Reservoir Upper Carpark - https://maps.app.goo.gl/dZmexEmu6F11g1Ru8
This a new car park that costs €5 to park, but it’s secure, there’s toilets and they have a little spot selling coffee at the weekends, too. It’s also a short distance from an entry point for the loop walk. If you are driving and can offer a lift do so in the comments below.
From there we will take in the sights and afterwards head somewhere for a bite to eat.
Please be sure to bring plenty of water, food (homemade baked goods are always encouraged), comfortable clothing and suitable footwear with you (the hike will go on different ground types but it’s mostly a rocky trail). Remember the weather in Ireland can vary over a short time so wear or carry clothing suitable for variable weather conditions. I will update with weather conditions closer to the date. As always, new members are more than welcome and please feel free to bring a friend (2 or 4 legs welcome) along and your camera; we love to have the photos to look back on!
There are great views throughout this trail, so enjoy it and take your time.
8.9km Length
208m Elevation gain
3hr Estimated time
After the hike join us for our Social Night in Oscar’s Cafe in Smithfield from 8pm (see event details in Meetup).
Our Social Nights are an informal, fun, relaxed social event where you can have a drink (soft or otherwise) or two, meet other members and find out more about upcoming events. We would love to see some old-timers and returning members too.
We have an area reserved in Oscar’s Cafe in Smithfield from 8pm with free finger food.
Hope to see you all there
McMerky "Run4Fun-ds" 10 km nite trail run
Nite time trail run on forest track 10 km loop (2) non stop. decent ascent. Park OUTSIDE Carpark as it automatically locks. Water, head torch, trail runners. No leaders. All donations (even if not running this time) 5e or less will go directly via me to NMS Society. Just rev me @marky1 ..
Backpacking Events Near You
Connect with your local Backpacking community
BrowserStack QA Meetup | Columbus (March 12)
**Hello Columbus!**
**The community is buzzing and growing well.**
**We are thrilled to bring our third BrowserStack QA Meetup on March 12th!**
We are creating a space for deeper insights, meaningful connections, and a vibe you won't want to miss.
**What to expect:**
* **Connect:** Network with Columbus' top engineering and QA minds.
* **Learn:** Real-world tactics and trends you can use immediately.
* **Enjoy:** Food, drinks, and great community spirit.
**Agenda**
* **[Sam Gomez](https://www.linkedin.com/in/samueljgomez/)** is presenting "AI is more than LLMs: Choosing the right AI for your needs."
**RSVP Essential:** Space is limited, and we want to ensure a great experience for everyone. **RSVP now to secure your spot!**
📍 **Venue:** Leading EDJE, 6515 Longshore Loop, Suite 300, Dublin, OH 43017
📍 **Free Parking:** 6725 Longshore Street, Dublin, OH 43017
📅 **Date & Time:** March 12, 6:00 PM
**Stay Connected!**
Want to continue the conversation beyond the meetup?
Join our **BrowserStack Discord Server** to get updates, connect with fellow QA professionals, and be part of an ongoing discussion. **Don’t miss out—click below to join!**
🔗 [\[](https://discord.gg/6SdCyWTNyW)**[Join the BrowserStack Discord Server](https://discord.gg/6SdCyWTNyW)**[\]](https://discord.gg/6SdCyWTNyW)
**A Few Notes:**
✅ This is an **in-person event**
✅ **RSVP does not guarantee a seat** – A confirmation email will be sent one day before the event.
**TALK ABSTRACT:**
AI is all the hype these days; however, despite (or maybe because of) the excitement around it, a high percentage of AI projects fail. Projects that are over budget, delayed, or that fail to scale past the POC phase are very common. In many of these scenarios, choosing the right approach can be as critical as the solution itself. Should you build a tailored machine learning model, leverage the power of large language models (LLMs), or integrate with AI copilots? Each option has unique strengths, trade-offs, and resource requirements, and the key to success lies in aligning your choice with your business goals and technical constraints.
In this talk, we will go beyond the basic concepts and definitions to provide a practical guide that allows attendees to navigate these decisions through real-world case studies. We will examine scenarios in which different AI paradigms were chosen, discuss the factors that influenced those decisions, and outline the process for evaluating needs, constraints, and outcomes. From assessing data availability and team expertise to balancing cost and scalability, you'll gain insights into the critical considerations that guide the selection process.
By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear process for determining whether machine learning, LLMs, or copilots are best suited to your AI challenges and understand the resources and strategies needed to bring your chosen solution to life. This talk is ideal for decision-makers, technical leads, and innovators seeking to demystify AI implementation and maximize the impact of their investments.
Rhino Barn Tour @ The Wilds
**Summary**
For this event, we will do the [Rhino Barn Tour](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) at [The Wilds](https://www.thewilds.org/), a ten-thousand acre conservation center in Muskingum County. It is the largest such center in North America and one of the largest in the entire world.
During this tour, we'll visit The Wilds' rhino herd in their state-of-the-art heated barns and learn how The Wilds' animal management team takes care of one of the largest herds of rhinos outside of Africa and Asia.
**The date and time of this tour**
We will be doing the 1:00 p.m. [Rhino Barn Tour](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) on Saturday, February 28. The tour is scheduled to last 90 minutes.
**What you need to do to attend**
Signing up here on Meetup will not get you into The Wilds for the tour. You must go out to The Wilds' [website](https://www.thewilds.org/) and [buy a ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour).
Please [purchase your ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour), then sign up here on Meetup so I know how many to expect.
**Attendance cap**
There are only eight total slots/tickets available for this tour. As I obviously have already bought one of the tickets, that leaves seven spaces for everyone else.
If you are interested in this event, I urge you to [buy a ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) at The Wilds' website as soon as possible. Since their website is obviously public, nothing prevents other people having nothing to do with *GOhio!* from buying their own tickets, thereby potentially taking an available slot away from you.
**Additional notes on attendance**
I have now run several events at The Wilds. While the location of The Wilds and the pricing of the tickets generally leads to small turnouts, the people who have gone have all enjoyed it and were glad they went.
If you've never been to The Wilds and you like zoos or animals at all, you are likely to find any tour at The Wilds to be a rewarding experience.
**Tickets and pricing**
[Tickets](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) for this tour are $95, or $76 if you're a Wilds' member. I've posted screen shots, below, to help you be sure you're buying tickets for the correct event.
Wilds' memberships pay for themselves if you go to The Wilds at least twice a year, and [Columbus Zoo members](https://www.columbuszoo.org/membership) get a discount on memberships to The Wilds. I will always run at least two events a year at The Wilds.
Tickets for all Wilds' tours must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance of the actual tour.
**Cancellations and refunds**
Per The Wilds' [Cancellation Policy](https://www.thewilds.org/policies): *In order to be eligible for refund and accrue no rescheduling fees, cancellations must be made at least 14 days in advance of reservation. Cancellations made within 14 days of reservation will not receive a refund.*
You may [contact The Wilds](https://www.thewilds.org/contact) at (740) 638-5030 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or you can email them at information@thewilds.org.
**Waiver of liability**
After you purchase your ticket, you will likely be asked to fill out a waiver of liability. This is a very short document and should take you no more than two minutes to complete.
**Where we'll meet**
We will meet at The Wilds, whose actual address is [14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732](https://www.google.com/maps/place/14000+International+Rd,+Cumberland,+OH+43732/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8837dae07a595557:0xa1ceca93325a8bd1?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111).
Please try to be there by 12:30 p.m. For most Wilds' tours, a shuttle bus will take you to the actual spot of the tour. So think of this as though you're going to the airport to catch a flight. It helps to be on time.
The Wilds generally asks that people arrive at least thirty minutes because the scheduled start time of their tour.
**GPS / Getting to The Wilds**
The Wilds is in a very rural area, but I've never had a problem getting there with my GPS (I have Verizon). I've also uploaded a JPG map, below, of Muskingum County.
Sometimes, though, it's hard to get a signal when you're at The Wilds and getting ready to leave. So you might want to consider downloading an offline map in Google Maps. Your cell phone should pick up a signal, however, within a few minutes after you leave.
The Wilds' Visitor Center does have free Wi-Fi.
**Carpooling?**
If you want to carpool, I recommend discussing this in the comments, below, to this event. While I don't myself carpool, I will do what I can to help you arrange something if I can.
**The weather**
Dress for the weather. Just because the barn is heated doesn't mean it will be warm. And wear closed-toed shoes.
Wilds' tours typically run no matter what the weather is.
**After the tour**
Once we're done with the rhinos, we'll head over to the very highly rated [Y-Bridge Brewing Company](https://ybridgebrewing.com/). The brewery is about thirty minutes from The Wilds, and it will be on the way back to Columbus for most, if not all, of us. The brewery's actual address is [1417 Linden Ave Ste D, Zanesville, OH 43701](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1417+Linden+Ave+d,+Zanesville,+OH+43701/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8837edd6cc50824f:0xe3a0af1ccb2aefbf?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111).
Y-Bridge Brewing does not serve food; however, they have several [food options](https://ybridgebrewing.com/food-options). I encourage you to check these out ahead of time on their website for yourself. However, here are a few of them:
*Within walking distance -- 120 feet away*
* [Angry Bull Saloon](https://www.facebook.com/AngryBullSaloonZanesville/) (pizza & subs)
* The Corner Pub Sports Bar and Grill (classic bar food)
*Delivery options -- [Door Dash](https://www.doordash.com/)*
* [4 Star Pizza](https://fourstarpizza.com/), (740) 452-9300
* [Donatos](https://www.donatos.com/), (740) 452-7900
* [Pizza Cottage](https://www.pizza-cottage.com/), (740) 455-6000
* [Dominos](https://www.dominos.com/), (740) 455-3126
* [Papa John's](https://www.papajohns.com/), (740) 450-4100
If you live in the area or can't make The Wilds but still want to meet us at the brewery, that's fine too.
The Fit Experience: February Edition
🌿 The Fitness Experience 🌿
This is not just a workout—it’s a vibe.
The Fitness Experience is a high-energy, feel-good outdoor fitness meetup designed for every body and every level. Whether you’re just getting started, getting back into it, or already living an active lifestyle, this experience meets you where you are and pushes you just enough to level up.
Expect movement, fresh air, challenges, laughter, and real community. We sweat together, encourage each other, and stay accountable—because consistency is easier with friends!
Motivation with meaning:
✨ Show up for yourself
✨ Progress over perfection
✨ Consistency creates confidence
Each month, we pop up at a new scenic outdoor location—parks, waterfronts, city greenspaces, and hidden urban gems—bringing fitness to life in the most inspiring settings possible.
Come solo. Bring a friend. Leave energized.


















