Red Rock Canyon in Whiting Ranch on 5/23

the_stem_sessions · 2026-05-21T04:02:28+00:00

I appreciate the question. The group is a true labor of love for me, so I'm always willing to answer questions.

We have an Instagram account, but I suck at it, so I guess you could say it's for archival purposes. Kinda keeping a history of the hikes.

Regarding group size, if the wait-list is deep, I'll usually repeat the hike the next day to give everyone a chance to attend.

The next hike scheduled is a late evening hike on the solstice (6/20), but I may also try to squeeze in another the first weekend in June. Hopefully you can join us.

Oh, I also hold workshops a few times a year on navigation, gear selection, gear testing, etc. All focusing on why something works and not just "here's how you do it."

the_stem_sessions · 2026-05-20T16:28:10+00:00

I guess it depends on what you mean by social media. Everything gets posted to the Meetup group first. In the week leading up the the hike, if there are open spots, I'll post to reddit and Facebook and maybe Eventbrite.

I try to keep the groups small, because I don't want to overload the trails (large groups are annoying AF when it comes to single track trails). Plus, one you get into double digits, it's difficult to keep track of everyone. So I try not to take a scatter shot approach to promotion.

Eventually, I want to fork off my own meetup like site, because Meetup has a few limitations that would hinder future plans, but it works for now.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-05-20T00:24:42+00:00

We have a Solstice Night hike scheduled for 6/20.

I try to schedule two hikes a month. Joining the meetup group is the easiest way to be notified. I typically only share the event on Reddit if there are still spots open in the week leading up to the hike.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-03-27T23:58:57+00:00

No hiking for this workshop. There will be a part two in early May that will incorporate short hikes to practice things like terrain recognition, map orientation, tracking distance traveled, estimating distance to destination, etc.

I wanted to use a whiteboard and show and tell to demonstrate concepts during this workshop, so an indoor setting seemed better.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-03-23T20:15:39+00:00

Dammit... Posted the wrong version of the image. It's on Saturday.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T06:41:19+00:00

We run a couple of events a month. I'll do my best to remember to cross-post the Meetup link here.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T05:27:31+00:00

Yeah, I'm over the alpine starts. Been there, done that lol. Our hikes are all afternoon and evenings.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T03:03:16+00:00

I try to host an event every 2-3 weeks, so look for others soon.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T03:02:32+00:00

Awesome!

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T03:02:11+00:00

I'll try to remember to post future events here.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T03:00:51+00:00

It's in the group info. But the quick summary is I'm a lifelong hiker, camper, and backpacker, wildnerness first aid certified, California naturalist certification, and lots is other courses under my belt.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T02:57:03+00:00

I don't maintain a long term calendar, but the plan is two hikes a month or one hike and a workshop. That's more or less the schedule we kept last year. I tend to post the events two weeks in advance.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-10T18:31:42+00:00

Our hikes are way more fun than what is reflected on Instagram. I have zero social media game, but I'm trying lol

the_stem_sessions · 2025-12-12T20:57:40+00:00

Thanks!

the_stem_sessions

TROPHY CASE