Winter Camping

**Hike: Plover Cove Reservoir (not for beginners)** **Difficulty Level:** **4 out of 5** **Distance:** **18 km** **Time:** **7 hours approximate** **Description and Highlights: If you're looking for a challenging hike that will take you deep into the heart of Hong Kong's rugged wilderness, then the Plover Dam Reservoir is the perfect destination for you. With a difficulty level of 4 out of 5, this trail is not for the faint of heart, but the stunning views and sense of accomplishment you'll feel at the end will make it all worth it.** **The hike to Plover Dam Reservoir covers a total distance of 18 kilometers and takes approximately 7 hours to complete. Along the way, you'll encounter steep inclines, rocky terrain, and narrow paths, so it's important to come prepared with sturdy hiking boots and plenty of water and snacks.** **The highest elevation point on the trail is 311 meters, offering hikers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Take a moment to catch your breath and soak in the stunning scenery before continuing on your journey.** **There are toilets located at the beginning and end of the trail, so be sure to take advantage of these facilities before setting off. And remember to practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out all your trash to help preserve the natural beauty of this pristine wilderness area.** **Overall, the hike to Plover Dam Reservoir is a challenging but rewarding experience that will test your physical and mental endurance while immersing you in the natural beauty of Hong Kong's countryside. So, lace up your hiking boots, grab your backpack, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!** **What to bring:** * **2-3 liters of water (water available for sale along the way)** * **Snacks to eat along the way (sandwich, fruits, nuts, etc)** * **Comfortable shoes** * **Sunglasses** * **Headgear (cap/hat)** * **Sunscreen** * **Bug Spray** * **In case of Rain: plan accordingly** **Toilets:** **There are two toilets; at the start and end of the trail. There are no toilets along the way.** **Stores:** **There are places at the beginning and at the end of the trail. It is best to come prepared with water and snacks.** **Meeting Point:** **Tai Po Market MTR Station - Exit A3** ********\*****We'll need to take Minibus 20R and get off at Wu Kau Tang which takes about 1 hour OR we take taxis and arrive in 24 min. I suggest we share taxis and share the costs. Please bring some cash.**** **Time:** **10:00 am (SHARP!)** **IMPORTANT:** **Out of respect to the members that arrive on time, we will only be able to wait a maximum of 5 minutes. Should you arrive after 10:05 am, I will no longer be answering phone calls or responding to messages as I need to give my time and attention to those that have arrived on time.**

Warm weather is on its way! Come join us for a Tandem BBQ and get started on the summer season! Bring your swimwear and your tastiest BBQ food for a fun time of swimming and cooking. **The Plan** * 1300 At the Chung Hom Kok Beach BBQ Area * 1330 BBQing starts * 1700 end **What to do** 1. RSVP here and let us know if you want to use a meat-free BBQ pit. 2. Be sure to join the BBQ WhatsApp group! If you’re new and/or don’t yet know the organiser, please DM the organiser via Meetup to get their contact details. 3. Please enable DMs from other members and turn on notifications so that our team can communicate with you. 4. On the day of, please bring (or FPS) $20 to help pay for charcoal and support replacing basic supplies in our BBQ box. 5. Bring your own food and drinks and volunteer to bring 1 item to share! Hope to see you there! **What is included** We have built a box of reusable BBQ items that includes BBQ forks, tongs, and other simple items. We will also be bringing several bags of charcoal. Before the event, we will make a list of items that are in the box and items that we are asking people to bring to share **What is NOT included** Food and drink are NOT included. There are no shops near the beach, so please purchase everything in town before arriving. We recommend bringing a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, food to BBQ, and drinks (including plenty of water). **In case of inclement weather** If the event needs to be cancelled due to the Observatory issuing a red or black rainstorm warning, we will reschedule the event for a Sunday in June (which will be voted on in the Whatsapp). **Please note** 1. The exact location of the venue and payment account number will be announced in the WhatsApp event group. 2. We run all our event communication through WhatsApp. Please keep track of event related messages in the WhatsApp event group and respond to requests and instructions from organisers within 24 hours. Please don’t put the chat on mute. If our team don’t receive your response within 24 hours, we will move you to “Not Going”. 3. We encourage language inclusivity at all our events. If you aren’t confident in English, please let our team know. We will try to provide bilingual support where possible and/or will try and introduce you to other language speakers you’re more comfortable with. Please be mindful that we might not be able to accommodate all languages at all events, but we will do our best to make everyone feel welcome and heard. 4. All payments are non-refundable. If you can’t make it, you’ll have to find your own replacement, re-sell your own ticket, and inform the organisers of who is taking your place. 5. If you sign up, but can no longer make it, please update your RSVP as soon as possible and tell the organisers. Updating your RSVP well ahead of the event allows us to manage the waitlist; allow other people to attend; know who to look out for at the start of the event. 6. If you don’t have a clear face pic on your profile and/or your username doesn’t match the name you normally use, we can’t identify your payments nor match your RSVP with who you are in real life. If this is you, please ensure the organisers know who you are. If we can’t work out who you are within 24 hours of your RSVP, we will move you to “Not Going”. 7. Only group members and their guests with an RSVP may attend events; people who aren’t signed up will be refused entry to events. 8. If you don’t follow the conditions above, we will move you to “Not Going” for future events until you message us to confirm you will follow these conditions. We hope to see you there for a fun day in the sun! -Amy (she/they) & Kawai (he/him) For our event Terms & Conditions please click the [link](https://docs.google.com/document/d/149xOU6BLmCO6FI5pCIQptWHcsL5CFP5SohZXjYfMFOA/edit). By signing up to an event you are agreeing to these Terms & Conditions, including the Participation Waiver & Release of Liability.

可以[whatsapp](https://wa.me/message/CEWCM2DO6ENDN1)查詢詳情 Come Waan Friends 潛水體驗團 想試潛水但唔知自己岩唔岩？今個初夏，想暫時抽離繁忙都市節奏，來一趟集陽光、音樂與海洋體驗於一身嘅短途旅程？🌊🎶 深圳大鵬半島沙灘音樂派對深海潛水之旅，將於2026年5月9日至10日舉行，兩日一夜帶你投入悠閒海邊假期，感受截然不同嘅週末氛圍。 行程已包括專車接送、星級酒店住宿、自由潛水及水肺潛水課程與教練指導、水肺潛水裝備、沙灘音樂派對、沙灘排球、快艇接送，以及攝影攝像服務，連水底攝影都包括在內，絕對係一次玩樂同打卡兼備嘅精彩體驗📸🤿 === 🌈 行程亮點 === 🎢 自由潛水（1:4-5）及水肺潛水（1:1），由教練指導，每人體驗約半小時，裝備全包 💦 水底攝影 🎇 沙灘音樂派對 📅 日期：2026年5月9日至10日（兩日一夜） 📍 地點：深圳大鵬 👥 名額：12位 🕒 時間：9/5 早上10點福田口岸出發，10/5 傍晚返港 💰 費用：每位 $2998（已包括交通、自由潛水及水肺潛水費用與裝備、9/5 午餐、9/5 燒烤晚餐、10/5 午餐及住宿費用） 🎉 早鳥優惠：5月1日前付款即減 $50！ 👫 二人同行：每位再減 $50！優惠可疊加，真係抵玩到極！ 🛡️ 保險：可加購旅遊保險，每位 $90（非強制，可按需要選擇） 行程簡介： 第一日由福田集合出發，抵達酒店後先享用午餐，再稍作休息，下午於酒店泳池集合體驗自由潛水（教練1:4-5）。夜晚換上輕便夏日裝束，前往沙灘音樂餐吧，一邊享受海邊晚餐，一邊投入DJ音樂派對，氣氛即時升溫🔥 第二日早上自然醒後，可悠閒享用酒店早餐及自由時光；中午用餐後前往碼頭，乘船出發到潛水點，展開海洋探秘水肺深潛體驗，由教練一對一帶領，親身感受深海世界嘅魅力🐠  與本地持牌旅行社合作（Jan Hang (Hong Kong) International Travel Limited，牌照號碼353983） [#沙灘音樂派對](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/%E6%B2%99%E7%81%98%E9%9F%B3%E6%A8%82%E6%B4%BE%E5%B0%8D/) [#深海潛水之旅](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/%E6%B7%B1%E6%B5%B7%E6%BD%9B%E6%B0%B4%E4%B9%8B%E6%97%85/) [#自由潛水體驗](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/%E8%87%AA%E7%94%B1%E6%BD%9B%E6%B0%B4%E9%AB%94%E9%A9%97/) [#水肺潛水](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/%E6%B0%B4%E8%82%BA%E6%BD%9B%E6%B0%B4/) [#comewaanfriends](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/comewaanfriends/)

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.