Mountaineering

Join us for this Thursday evening cycle on the southside of the city up to the Killakee viewpoint and back. It’s a decent climb and offers some great views over the city. 🚨Warning: this cycle has a steep/long climb. 🔴 Back and front lights on your bike are essential for this cycle. The total distance is 25km, and so not far but it has 350m of climbing taken on all at once. For perspective, 350m is about twice the amount of climbing as the Thursday Howth cycle. If you are unsure of your ability to do this, I recommend trying the Thursday Howth Cycle first. We do not go fast up the climb, we go as slow as needed. Here is our plan for the evening: 1️⃣We leave at 6:30PM from Swan Leisure 2️⃣We cycle south through Rathfarham and climb up to Killakee via Stocking Lane 3️⃣If time allows, we'll make a stop at The Merry Ploughboy pub for a break and refreshment before heading back to the start. See link for komoot map below: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1944062322?ref=itd&share_token=avWE4P7gDG72obQjmW7n6nUD67jQdNauD2gbxInZd0955579N5&ref=its ⛑ 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.

Make to the most of the bright evenings and join us for a social cycle out to Howth Village. Total distance 25 km. Mostly flat with an optional climb up to the Summit. Here is our plan for the evening. 1️⃣. We leave at 6 pm from the sails sculpture on Clontarf Road. 2️⃣. Cycle out to Sutton Cross along the coastal cycle path 3️⃣. Here we turn right and cycle directly over Howth Hill 4️⃣ Short stop in the village for a coffee and a chat, then back by shorter route aiming to be back to Clontarf by 8:30 🪖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 [http://www.meetup.com/terms/ ;](http://www.meetup.com/terms/%20; 1. My guests and I have read the Meetup Terms of Service at [http://www.meetup.com/terms/ and hereby amend it to include the same waiver and release therein to this event's organiser(s)

Hi 🙋‍♂️ we will meet at 7pm at ‘the Sails’ sculpture. We will walk along the seafront prom to the wooden bridge and back & stop for a drink & chat in the Yacht pub. To get to the walk start from town:- Clontarf dart station is just a short walk away. Or there are lots of bus stops close by too. Look forward to seeing you on the walk!! 😃 ***Note: if you are delayed or need to cancel, can you please leave a message below so that we can wait for you (or cancel your booking) thanks 🙏

Curious about what Irish SMEs are actually doing with AI? We’re getting together with the folks from The Irish Times, Buymedia, and Coolplanet to look under the hood of their data stacks. They'll be sharing exactly how they use Snowflake AI to clean up messy documents, speed up data engineering, and turn weeks of work into hours. Drop by for some honest talk about what works in the real world, plus food, drinks, and a chance to catch up with the local Snowflake community. **Right Story, Right Reader: Building a Hybrid News Recommendation Engine in Snowflake, Juliana Murphy, The Irish Times** At The Irish Times Group — home to The Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Breaking News, The Echo, and more — we publish hundreds of articles every week. The challenge isn’t the quality of the journalism, but helping readers find the stories most relevant to them, as discovery becomes increasingly fragmented across search, social, and other channels. In this session, Juliana Murphy walks through how The Irish Times built For Me — a pilot personalised content feed delivered three times daily to subscribers — using a fully native Snowflake architecture, with no external ML infrastructure or data movement outside the warehouse. The session covers the full pipeline: converting article text into 1,024-dimensional vector embeddings with Snowflake Cortex, building subscriber preference profiles from behavioural data, and using native vector similarity scoring and task orchestration to generate recommendations end-to-end within the warehouse, with output delivered to subscribers via an S3 stage. Beyond the technical build, we’ll explore the constraints unique to news. Unlike entertainment platforms, journalism must balance personal relevance with information diversity. We’ll show how editorial curation, controlled ranking logic, and user choice are embedded directly into the system design — and how those decisions shape both architecture and outcomes. Key takeaways: • Why editorial and ethical constraints belong in your data architecture, not just your product spec • Building a production-grade recommendation pipeline natively in Snowflake (Tasks, Cortex embeddings, cosine similarity scoring, Python UDFs) • What “hybrid” means in practice: combining ML signals with editorial control • Why domain knowledge matters as much as model performance **Accelerating Data Engineering with Snowflake Cortex Code, Jenny Zhou, Snowflake** This demo showcases Cortex Code, Snowflake’s AI-powered coding agent designed to automate and optimize the end-to-end data development lifecycle. We will demonstrate how Cortex Code moves beyond simple code completion by leveraging platform awareness—integrating your database schema, security context, and execution logs directly into the development workflow. **Extracting Structure from Chaos: Parsing Documents from 400+ Media Sources with Cortex AI at Buymedia, Estella Roberts, Buymedia** At Buymedia, ingesting data from over 400 unique media sources is anything but clean. Every source brings its own document formats, layout quirks, and edge cases that completely break traditional extraction tools. In this session, Estella Roberts shares how Buymedia transformed a manual, error-prone bottleneck into an automated, native pipeline using Snowflake Cortex AI and CORTEX.COMPLETE. We'll dive deep into the architecture, explore the messiest edge cases, and share practical solutions for when unstructured documents refuse to cooperate. Expect less theory, more real-world trade-offs, and actionable lessons on building resilient, modern AI pipelines. **From Sprints to Hours: Building an AI-Powered Data Stack at Coolplanet, Niall Magee, Coolplanet** At Coolplanet, we handle massive volumes of customer data effortlessly. But our internal business data? That started with Google Sheets, a basic BI tool, and a quiet confidence that it would scale. It didn't. In this session, we’ll share our honest journey from a fragile spreadsheet setup to a production-grade modern data stack using Fivetran, dbt, and Snowflake. More importantly, we'll reveal how AI became our ultimate force multiplier, turning sprint-long tasks into hours-long workflows. The highlight of the session is a deep dive into our AI-driven build process. We’ll show you how to take a plain-language brief and immediately generate dbt models, semantic layers, and functional Streamlit dashboards. Key Takeaways: * The AI Workflow: Practical steps to accelerate dbt, YAML, and SQL generation. * The Stack Evolution: Honest lessons from migrating to Fivetran, dbt, and Snowflake. * Beyond Traditional BI: Why we are shifting toward AI-scaffolded Streamlit apps. * Snowflake Cortex: How to ground natural language queries in a governed semantic model. **Location** Clayton Hotel Charlemont **Agenda** 6:00 pm – Food & Networking 6:30 pm – Welcome 6:35 pm – Right Story, Right Reader: Building a Hybrid News Recommendation Engine in Snowflake * [Juliana Murphy](https://www.linkedin.com/in/subiuliana/), The Irish Times 7:05 pm – Accelerating Data Engineering with Snowflake Cortex Code * [Jenny Zhou](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yingying-jenny-zhoudong/), Snowflake 7:25 pm – Break 7:35 pm – Extracting Structure from Chaos: Parsing Documents from 400+ Media Sources with Cortex AI at Buymedia * [Estella Roberts](https://www.linkedin.com/in/estellaroberts/), Buymedia 8:05 pm – From Sprints to Hours: Building an AI-Powered Data Stack at Coolplanet * [Niall Magee](https://www.linkedin.com/in/niall-magee/), Coolplanet 8:35 pm onwards – Drinks & Networking

Welcome to lockpicking at Tog. Join us as we teach the various methods of picking and bypassing common locks in Ireland. All equipment provided. Warm clothes reccomended as the heating isnt the best.

These group harmony singing and vocal exploration sessions are for anyone who is longing to connect to themselves and others through the voice in service to a more loving world. These 5 weekly Thursday night sessions which run from 30 Apr to 28 May, are all about freeing your voice, singing in harmony and feeling part of a community of warm, friendly people. We will continue till 2 July, so you can also enrol on another 5 week set after this one if you feel inspired to keep going! Over the course of these sessions we will explore together what it is like to cultivate a sense of **being enough (with less effort)**. This is a radical rejection of the ideology of self-improvement, productivity, speed, talent, growth and individualism which we are surrounded by. When we sing, we work intimately with worries around what we sound like, whether the sounds we are making are acceptable, whether we are ‘doing it right’ and ultimately whether we are enough. As we notice these thoughts and feelings, we can invite the ease with which we were born to return. We also work intimately with liberation of our breath and body. > In these sessions you will be invited to become more aware of opportunities to try less, let go more and you will learn about how to support your voice through diaphragmatic breathing and somatic connection. Humans have gathered to use their voices as tools for healing, prayer, divination, plant communication, echoes of topography, expressions of identity, creators of harmony and much more but music and singing have been reduced largely to entertainment and big business in modern capitalist culture. In these sessions we **reclaim our voices as technologies of connection and enchantment**. Singing is not for the few, it is our birthright and a means to better health and wellbeing. We will experience beauty not only in the aesthetics of our voices but in their authenticity and capacity to connect us. We do not have to sound or look beautiful to *be* beautiful as we are all miraculous beings simply by existing. Singing is one of the most powerful tools to connect and bond human beings so as we sing together, you will experience a sense of being held in a container of human sound, a balm for the soul. You may even experience a sense of ‘interbeing’, a deep sense of interconnectedness and non-duality. Contrary to what we are told, us humans are not on this Earth to compete with and dominate each other. > We are all leaves of the same tree, cells of the same organism, stewards of the same Earth. This course will also be rooted in what we can **learn from Indigenous and traditional cultures and from living systems (nature)**. We will sing songs which connect us to our ancestral lineages and to the Earth. We will musically explore and celebrate concepts from the Global South such as Ubuntu (a set of related African value systems emphasising interconnectedness) and Buen Vivir (a Latin American concept describing living well as sustainably living in harmony within a community including humans and nature) as well as those from closer to home such as ‘*Dinnseanchas’, meaning* lore and knowledge of place and ‘d*úchas’* (heritage and wildness, a sense of where you come from, to whom and to where you belong). This course is open to all, regardless of how you sound and previous experience. The Facilitator: Rachel is a song leader with a background in ethnomusicology and has spent time with many communities around the world facilitating and researching music making, Rachel is also an educator and uses music and singing as a tool for for learning and changemaking in the areas of wellbeing, diversity, sustainability, social justice and community building community. ##### **Booking & Pricing:** 5 week course €140 - €90 sliding scale Info and sign ups: https://fullcirclechange.ie/event/rooted-together-in-harmony/

We will start the session with some light stretching exercises to warm us up, and help to prepare us for the run. The pace of the run will be steady, depending on who is running with us on the day. Days when we have a large group we may break into multiple groups, each operating independently at their own pace. Saturdays are good for intermediate runners, and is usually a 10km run, again at a steady pace. If you're looking to get into running, come along on Tuesday or Thursday mornings and I will coach you, at your pace, to get you up to running (jogging) to 5km without stops. The only thing I will ask, if you're a beginner, is that you're able to walk for approx 30 minutes at a relaxed pace. PLEASE NOTE: That, if you RSVP a particular event, then please ensure that you attend, as there may be other members relying on you for company on the run. IMPORTANT NOTE: Any run or activity that you participate in with the group will be at your own risk. Usually we have a post run (after our cool down) coffee in the Dash container at the Hole in the Wall pub.

Greetings Everyone - We will be visiting Ireland. The plan is to do The Burren Way, which has the very famous Cliffs of Moher, Burren National Park and other west Ireland walks and whiskey tasting The plan is to give people options around the Portuguese walk - you can do Korea, Portugal and Ireland. One or some. Priority will be given to those who have been overseas with the group before and/or doing all 3 events. ● Some words to inspire you: Exploring Ireland's Burren Way and the of West Ireland walks offers an enchanting journey through some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes, rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. **The Burren Way**: Hikers will be captivated by the region’s distinctive flora and fauna, where Mediterranean, Arctic, and Alpine plants grow side by side. Highlights include the Cliffs of Moher, offering dramatic views over the Atlantic Ocean, and the Burren National Park, home to a myriad of wildflowers and historical sites. The route passes through the charming village of Doolin, known for its traditional Irish music, and ends in Corrofin, a gateway to the Burren. **West Ireland:** Hiking in Western Ireland offers a captivating blend of dramatic landscapes, rich history, and serene natural beauty. This region, renowned for its rugged coastlines, rolling hills, and mystical boglands, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether it’s a challenging mountain ascent or a leisurely coastal walk, hiking in Western Ireland provides an unforgettable adventure through one of the most beautiful and culturally rich areas of the Emerald Isle. Hotels will be pre-booked 2 or 3 star. SUV (1 or 2) Hire required. For the Monthly Payments: **Bank Account is: 12-3430-0791504-03** Many thanks ● PLEASE: No smoking, animals, children or guests. ● Schedule: Day One - Fly into Dublin from Faro Portugal. Catch the direct bus from the airport to Galway and pickup rental SUV's. Drive to Ennis and stay four nights. https://www.flightlink.ie Day Two - Drive to Liscannor and walk to Doolin - about 4-5 hours. This is the famous Cliffs of Moher. Afterwards we can to a boat trip to the base of the cliffs. This is optional. Times are 12, 2pm, 3pm and 5.15pm. It’s about a 50 minute trip. The company is [www.doolinferry.com](http://www.doolinferry.com/). It’s about $50. Day Three - Drive to Fanore - Do the Black Head Trail (26km - 5 Hour). Drive back to Ennis. https://visitclare.ie/activities/black-head-loop-walk-the-burren/ Day Four - Drive to Burren National Park, Corofin for free shuttle bus to National Park (First bus leaves 09:30 and do the Mullaghmore trailhead (6 Hour). Return to Ennis Driving Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZUgp6bXzQskQ9X9Q8 Day Five - Drive to Galway (Stay two Nights) - Free day to check out Galway. Day Six - Two Options: First - Boat Cruise - OUGHTERARD – INCHAGOILL – CONG RETURN https://tinyurl.com/Galway-Cruise Only runs Wednesday and Saturday. May need to be flexible on this event. Second - Carna - Visit and explore the small coastal town of Carna and do the Moyrus Coast Walk - also practice our Irish. https://connemara.ie/listing/luibin-mhairois/ Day Seven - Drive to Connemara National Park - Do The Sheffreys Mountain Loop, 771 metres. 5.5 hour hike. Drive to Cleggan and catch the 18:45 ferry to Inishbofin Island (Stay 2 Nights). https://inishbofinferry.ie/timetables/ https://www.inishbofin.com/accommodation/ Day Eight - Day/Night on Inishbofin Island - 3 loop walks. https://www.inishbofin.com/explore-bofin/scenic-walks/ Day Nine - Catch the ferry back to Cleggan. Drive to Connemara National Park and do The Maamochoige-Knocknahillion-Letterbreckaun Walk https://www.summitpost.org/maamturks/242472#google_vignette Then drive to Westport for two nights Day Ten - The Skelp & Brackloon Forest Walk. (5 Hours) https://www.destinationwestport.com/explore-westport/hiking-in-westport Day Eleven - Drive to Achill Island and do some walks https://tinyurl.com/Achill-Walks Return to Westport. https://maps.app.goo.gl/J2eSSdZY5JyVSgseA Day Twelve - Return to Galway - Do city relaxing stuff before leaving for Dublin and fly out. ● Health and Safety Information: Each person who participates accepts responsibility for making their own determinations and for their own safety, conduct and well being; recognising that there are hazards in attending group and outdoor activities and agrees to participate solely at their own risk. ● Meeting Place: Dublin Airport ● Maps and More Information: https://www.wildernessireland.com/blog/irelands-long-distance-trails/ ● The Best Photos: The best photo of the day will posted on our Instagram Account. ● More Stuff: See you in Ireland in May 2026 for a great adventure - Chris and The Team

***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)

***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 Feb 21-22 MS1 Comeragh, Co.Waterford Feb 26/March 01 - MS2 in Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow March 21-22 MS1 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow March 28-29 MS2 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow April 09-10 MS1 Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow 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)

*These weekend is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to practice mountain skills, pre-MS assessment candidates or simply anyone who wants to hike with a qualified mountaineering Ireland course director and venture in the Irish mountains on and off trails.* *During those few days, you will gain useful information, skills and tips that will help keep you safe on the hills and mountains during daytime, nighttime, in bad weather condition or both.* ·May 2 \- 3 \| 📍the Mournes Mountains **Price: €35.00 per hike** ***The hikes are graded as: moderate – difficult – strenuous*** **What gear do I need?** •Wear comfortable clothing like – leggings, tracksuit bottoms, breathable T-Shirt and fleece & an extra warm layer (but no cotton fabrics and no jeans). Be ready for the rain and pack a rain jacket and rain trousers. •A hat and gloves to keep you safe from the wind. •Wear good sturdy hiking boots (No runners) with woolly or synthetic socks. •Have a backpack with water minimum 1.5 litres, sandwiches and snacks, coffee, or tea. •Don’t forget to bring first aid kit with plaster and bandages, personal medicine, inhaler, EpiPen etc. •In Addition: you can bring an OS map of the area or an East West map. However, maps and a compass can be provided by the instructor. **If you have any medical conditions, please let the organisers know** *Some level of fitness is essential for those hikes which can be strenuous and up to 7 hours in duration.* *Accommodation options will be provided upon booking.* *If you have any additional question, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: [mountainadventures74@gmail.com](mailto:mountainadventures74@gmail.com) 0879691193*

Make New Friends💏! This Event is a large Monthly Social Salsa Dance Party 🎉🎊🎇 for Salsa Dancers and for those New Solo people who want to learn Salsa dancing. This Salsa Dance Party will be held in a large hall. There is Bar facilities, cheaper drinks and toilets are avaliable. Time of Dance Party from about 9.30pm/10pm. till after 1 am. Dress: Neat Dress. (Salsa Dance class lesson from 8.45pm to 9.30pm.) There may also be free Pizza at the end of the party like in previous parties. There are Salsa Social Dance Classes on Thursday evenings for those who like to learn or improve Salsa dancing. The entrance fee for the Salsa Party is 10 euros at the Door, which includes the Salsa class lesson. This is very good value. Place of large Hall is in Dublin 8. There is a large Free Car Parking at the back also. Dublin Bus 2 mins walk. There will be many other solo people attending from all around Ireland beside this meetup who already know this venue. In the past Social Salsa Dance Parties, over 270 people attended. https://youtu.be/DWir_XczIE8?is=YWe0j-H3tECeWaQx https://youtu.be/iyLdoQGBchQ?feature=shared So if you are Solo, like Social Dancing, meeting new people and or like a free lesson to start learning Salsa dancing, RSVP and I will send you the Dance Party Address Details on the day of the event. Many people come solo, so do not worry, come solo or bring your friends with you and enjoy the great Latino music and social Salsa dancing.

Are You Single and Solo? Make new friends 🤗 👫 while hiking ⛰️🏞for health and to refresh your mind in the 🦋 Wicklow 🌻🌼🌺 Country side. (Is this a Boot Camp 😀😍??)This is an easy social hike 🐿🐐🐏 in Glendalough but you still need some hiking fitness and be able to walk on rocky paths. We will hike the lakes loop which is about 12kms or more. https://youtu.be/Yxo0ym2Z6eg?feature=shared https://youtu.be/nZjzoVBBSCk?feature=shared https://youtu.be/mfJC34tOZms?feature=shared https://youtu.be/Lgs9QUtWc3M?feature=shared The meeting spot will be in Dublin City Center at 10.20 am Opposite The Shelbourne Hotel St.Stephen's Green park. At 10.30 am we go ahead to board our bus. We will take the 11.00am express Bus to Glendalough. Be early🙂. The hike starts at about 12.15pm from Glendalough MAIN visitor's center at the bus stop and bus pickup point back to Dublin at 17.30pm. Please be on early and on time for those who are meeting us in Glendalough. This hike is not always on a track🏔, so HIKING BOOTS with Vibram Sole and ankle support highly recommended as some tracks are also very rocky and muddy. No JEANS for this hike ,No Running shoes please. Dogs 🐕🦮🐕‍🦺 welcome, But need to check with bus company if not driving by car there. Bring waterproof warm winter clothing, food, snacks and water or drinks as we will stop for breaks. You Need some level of fitness and some hiking experience but this is not a hard hike. This is a sporting event, so every person attending this hike is responsible for their own health and saftey at all times.

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

We will hike the Ridge Trail and Meadows Trail twice, for a total of 3.8 miles. There are some pretty good inclines so plan on getting a cardio workout :). This is a loop which is pretty easy to follow; thus faster walkers can take the lead and the rest (like me) will bring up the rear at a slightly slower pace. You could also just do the loop once for 1.9 miles. No one left behind. Optional lunch to follow in Canal Winchester. I'm working through the metro parks - this is the third one!

This is a small but pretty park with a 1.7-mile loop. We will walk it 2 times. It goes along a ridge and has moderate elevation changes.

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.