Meet Ups Board - Discussion Time!

[Achiles74]

I have tried to arrange some meetups but not many (1 or 2 have been interested). It does seem to me that the Meetup section is rather cliquey ie made of of old friends who have been on walks together for over 5 years.
Whether that is a fair comment or not it is just my impartial viewpoint.

[joester]

I have tried to arrange some meetups but not many (1 or 2 have been interested). It does seem to me that the Meetup section is rather cliquey ie made of of old friends who have been on walks together for over 5 years.
Whether that is a fair comment or not it is just my impartial viewpoint.

Strange definition of 'impartial'!
The Meet ups can appear cliquey, but I think that is only because there is a very limited pool of people that attend.  I don't think very many of those people (if any at all) knew each other before they met here on the Forum.

What I did notice when I first started getting into Forum Meets, was that my first goes at hosting meets were not very successful, but once I'd been on a few meets myself, my subsequent efforts were very well attended.  It's kind of self-perpetuating, like any population getting started.

There's perhaps only 5 or so frequently posting forum members that have actually met me.  That figure used to be more like a couple of dozen, but times change and there's not much point being nostalgic, but rather, do something about that instead.

[Achiles74]

It was by no means a knock at the forum or the meetups, but it is kinda evident that when you look at the people who take part in the meets it is the same crowd which can be unsettling if you are new to this forum.
 
 
 

[Mel]

My first impression of the Meet Ups Board (from a new to walking point of view) was that the meets seemed very ...... strenuous/technical/long.  I found that daunting as a new and inexperienced walker 
 
... But I also assumed that those folks had progressed together from shorter, more sedate walks to the likes of Helvellyn and Blencathra via all the Edges in Winter 
 
Perhaps there needs to be more of a variety of walks so as to appeal to a wider audience?
 

[Mel]

I have tried to arrange some meetups but not many (1 or 2 have been interested).

Same here. 
 
C'mon folks - we can only handle a certain amount of rejection 

[The Grumpy Dad]

My only reason for not yet having  been on a meet up is both my wifes and mine shift patterns been so erratic.  Makes planning weeks in advance difficult. Child care etc. Think I've thrown my name in the hat for two , and had to bow out as the date approaches. This is out of character for me, and something I don't like doing. Hence I've given the meets a wide birth for the time being. When I have had a day spare I've checked in to see if anyones out n about , but there's been nothing planned and I've been for a bimble with my dogs.

simple as that for me.
But I can see the benefits and pitfalls of the 25 post ruling. Could be missing out on a wealth of information from any quieter members. But could also keep the odd idiot at bay I guess , people deciding certain people aren't their cup of tea etc etc. But fail to see how it would stop anyone more sinister accessing the info , meets , people attending, locations etc.

in a nutshell, its the house rule , you either hang around, or vote with your feet.

simples ;0

[ramblingpete]

The meet up section used to be thriving but most of those that organised and attended the meets have moved on elsewhere (don't ask).

It's not thriving now because there seems to be a lack of 'get up and go' from the current members. You can't complain about lack of meets if you don't make the effort. The comment about seeming cliquey is nonsense - it has never been that way and never will be.

Concerns about fitness etc or ability should be addressed to the meet proposer. i.e don't ask someone who has arranged a meet to Helvellyn to make it easier because you can't manage it. If there aren't any meets that suit your requirements then try and arrange a meet yourself on your terms.

It's a very simple thing - make an effort or the tumbleweed will continue to blow through the forum.

Joester is trying but getting little response.

Last word - the 25 posts is there for a reason and will never change.

[Glyno]

Last word - the 25 posts is there for a reason and will never change.

Serious suggestion:


...shouldn't the "Where are folks walking this weekend?" thread be moved to within the meets forum? Purely for reasons of security and members' safety of course.

[Chris]

The 25 post requirement was brought in a few years ago after a member threatened to physically attack another member at a meet. He was promptly banned, but it highlighted an obvious safety problem. Unwanted people can easily find out who, when and where members were meeting and turn up out of the blue to cause trouble, perhaps an ex, someone with a grudge, or a stalker, etc. The 25 posts requirement before applying means that the meetups board is only visible to a group of about 200 active members, people who we know something about, who clearly have a genuine interest in walking, and most importantly people who we have a record of their ip address.

[ramblingpete]

Serious suggestion:


...shouldn't the "Where are folks walking this weekend?" thread be moved to within the meets forum? Purely for reasons of security and members' safety of course.

It's not the same though is it. Generally nobody posts times to meet, places to park, etc

[snakehips]

i've managed to get too three meets this year and enjoyed them all met great people who were met for the first time at the meets. Next year i will be putting together a meet in north wales it will be different from other meets as it won't just be snowdonia and it will be for a more mixed range of abilities so keep an eye on the meet up page and it should be up  after xmas. regards mark

[treehugger]

My first impression of the Meet Ups Board (from a new to walking point of view) was that the meets seemed very ...... strenuous/technical/long.  I found that daunting as a new and inexperienced walker 
 
... But I also assumed that those folks had progressed together from shorter, more sedate walks to the likes of Helvellyn and Blencathra via all the Edges in Winter 
 
Perhaps there needs to be more of a variety of walks so as to appeal to a wider audience?

Get some posted then! Sorry, had to say it.

[treehugger]

I have tried to arrange some meetups but not many (1 or 2 have been interested). It does seem to me that the Meetup section is rather cliquey ie made of of old friends who have been on walks together for over 5 years.
Whether that is a fair comment or not it is just my impartial viewpoint.

Yes it is a bit cliquey but that's life, dunno what can be done about it! Everybody I've met via this forum has been fine

[Miss Flite]

Yes it is a bit cliquey but that's life, dunno what can be done about it! Everybody I've met via this forum has been fine

Nothing!  It is innate and starts to become more noticeable when children learn how to socialise.

Good job too or instead of sitting with out little groups of friends at the pub, we'd all be crammed on the same table

[alewife]

I can't see how the meet-ups can be cliquey, or they wouldn't be posted on the meet-ups board surely, people would just arrange them privately via email or PM. I won't be doing much before spring due to lack of time but if there's a meet-up posted that I fancy joining, I will assume I will be made welcome whether I know the person organising it or not.


 As said, if anyone doesn't feel up to the strenuous or scrambly ones then perhaps post something yourself. On the other hand as long as it is a 'walk' rather than a 'climb' perhaps give it a go, you might surprise yourself and enjoy doing more than you thought you were capable of.