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
15
Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits ~ A bucket list adventure!
SFO, CA, USOur 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 $600Trip 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 CookRSVP 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 REQUESTTo 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 ZoomThe 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
7 attendees
Sunset and Moonrise on Black Mountain
4185 Page Mill Rd, 4185 Page Mill Road, Los Altos, CA, USThis is a Mid-Peninsula Open Preserve docent led hike of ~5 miles that ends at around 10 PM.
Hike one of the peninsula’s iconic peaks while appreciating the twilight on an evening excursion led by docents. We'll climb the Canyon and Bella Vista Trails, observing flora and fauna along the way. At the summit, we'll watch the sun set and the full moon rise. Visibility permitting, we'll have extraordinary views of the Santa Clara Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains.
This hike has a ~900-foot elevation gain.
Where to Meet
Meet at the Monte Bello Parking Area on Page Mill Road (across from Los Trancos Preserve), 7 miles west of I-280 or 1.5 miles east of Skyline Boulevard.
Here is a link to the trail.
Equipment
A flashlight/headlamp with a red light IS REQUIRED. An optional black light is recommended as we expect to see bioluminescent animals and plants. You cannot use your cell phone as a flashlight on this hike. Bring water and layers.
Please arrive a few minutes early so you can get organized, hit the bathroom etc. before the hike starts.
Once you start on the hike, you cannot leave early as the gate to the parking lot will be locked. Please note that the hike is scheduled to end at around 10 PM.
Carpooling is cool!
Parking permits are required and will be provided to attendees at the parking lot before the hike.Note: This hike is also posted on https://www.meetup.com/hiking_and_activities_club_ca/events/314101406/
3 attendees- $6.00
Yosemite - Hetch Hetchy, Ranchiera Falls, Tiltill Valley and Lake Vernon
·OnlineOnlineThis trip is full.
- This is a 3 days/2 nights and ~28 miles, 6,000 ft vertical backpacking trip.
- You must be an experienced backpacker to join and be able to keep up an average pace of 2.5 miles/hour on a flat trail (with a backpack).
Note - This trip is also posted on the Backpackers of the American West Meetup group.
Itenerary -
- Day 1 - The first 7 miles to Ranchiera Falls are mostly flat and exposed. We will take a 2 - 3 hour break at the falls to wait out the heat. After that, there is a tough climb up to Tiltill Valley which this time of year may be a bit of a swamp. ~9 miles.
- Day 2 - Head west up the wooded ridge and then north down to Lake Vernon, over a granite moonscape. Lake Vernon is a beautiful alpine lake. ~7 miles.
- Day 3 - Head WSW towards Laurel Lake (optional stop) and then south down to the Hetch Hetchy Dam. ~12 miles.
- PLEASE EMAIL ME FIRST - reachdani @gmail.com to coordinate a call to discuss the trip in detail and go over your backpacking experience and fitness level. I do this for everyone's saftey and enjoyment.
- This itenerary is dependent upon being able to cross the bridge at Wapama Falls. If the bridge is impassable, we will hike to Laurel Lake and then to Lake Vernon and back.
- COST: 6. A $100 deposit is required to reserve a spot on this. A refund of $94 will be issued for those that make the trip or if I cancel the trip for any reason.
- Signing up does not guarantee participation, payment after a phone conversation does.
- Details re carpooling and equipment will be discussed on a mandatory pre-trip conference call.
- Please do not RSVP before we spoke and the deposit was paid.
- You are responsible for your own transportation. Carpooling is an option that will be discussed in the pre-trip call.
- I (Daniel Shefer) reserve the sole right to modify the trip itinerary as I deem necessary at any time.
- Bear canisters are required on this trail. No pets allowed.
6 attendees 
Featured International Meetup Trips for 2026 & 2027
·OnlineOnlineThis Zoom Overseas Q & A is a monthly event.
Video Link: https://meet.google.com/irp-rnyi-fgb No software or download needed. Just open in a browser.
The date gets moved right before the event occurs. This way all the links posted to events keep working.
We have some truly EPIC Overseas events ahead. And Epic Adventure leads to Copious Questions.
To solve that . . . Let's Talk! Join us for a Q & A Zoom where you can ask all your Q's and get all your A's.
SCHEDULE
6:00 to 7:30pm Pacific Time is Q & A about our Overseas Events.What to talk about? Most of the convo will be on the following:
Jun 5, 2026 Costa Rica Eco Adventure
Jun 18, 2026 Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits
Jun 27, 2026 Serengeti Photo Safari! Africa’s Best Wildlife Show
Jul 05, 2026 Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Aug 03, 2026 Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier Cruise from San Francisco
Sep 09, 2026 France Culinary Explorer! Food
Sep 20, 2026 Meetup on the Orient Express
Dec 04, 2026 Vietnam & Cambodia (with Angkor Wat)
Feb 10, 2027 Thailand: Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi Island
Mar 16, 2027 Galapagos Islands Expedition
Apr 25, 2027 Everest Base Camp Yoga Trek
Apr 28, 2027 Best of Portugal with Camino de Santiago
May 13, 2027 Unforgettable Croatia! The Pearls of the Dalmatian Coast
Nov 26, 2027 Ensenada Thanksgiving Weekend CruiseWe are currently working on Italy, China, Patagonia, and Antarctica. Keep an eye on our calendar.
If you are interested in more information for any of these trips, please reply to this email or fill out this form: https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8
I will send you a detailed day-by-day itinerary for those events.Our events are all very safe, fun, curated, and organized.
Questions about Hotels, Flights, Meals, Museums, Power Plugs, Converters, Money Conversion or whatever!!
All the folks currently signed on to our events are invited to come and ask all the Q's and get all the deets they want to. They will also get them in writing too, but we know a lot of folks rather a face and voice compared to an email. It's that whole human interaction thing!
*To join the zoom FILL OUT THIS GOOGLE FORM and we will email direct on the day of to remind you.
125 attendees
Past events
347
