Sat, Sep 29 2007 - Larch Valley/ Sentinel Pass- Steady Pace (View Original Event Details)

Event Coordinator(s): Sibel (Mushroom)
Participants:Danuse D, Mohsen N, quinn z, Michael C, Sibel (Mushroom), Jeff K


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Write Up:
So many last minute cancelations, everyone from the waitlist got on to the event - and we still ended up with a small group of 7. We couldn't split into two groups going up, as we didn't have enough people to have 4 and 4, but it didn't matter! We left the carpool at 7:05am and made it to Morraine Lake for a 9:30am start. The Moraine Lake road had black ice on the drive up, but luckily the ice melted on the way home. Thank goodness because my carpool had to swtich vehicles the moment we were about to exit the city. The truck's alternator was giving problems and so, we had to get the sports car. If a T-bird could drive up to Moraine Lake, than so could we! There was a ranger at the start ensuring groups of 4 or more were ascending to the Sentinel, and we ran into a Park Ranger on the way down - 2 people ahead of us on the trail tried to be a part of our group without our knowledge, but Jeff set the Ranger straight. The hike up was good, solid snow, lots of groups ascending with us, but we moved ahead strong. Then as we began the climb up to the pass, I had to step back as I couldn't breathe. I had a cold and flu for over a month, thinking I was well, I knew my limits were reached. I stayed back with other large groups as my group kept going forward. I was soon joined by Mohsen as he too knew his gear limits, and we waited and watched for the others. I was told, it was windy and overcast, pictures were taken for our benefit, many lunches were shared, and we trekked down in 1H15 minutes, finishing the hike in 5 hours and 15 minutes. A quick stop after in Banff to cool down and wrap up the event as we had lots of daylight still ahead of us! Thanks to all who came out on such an early Saturday monring - but we beat the crowds, avoided hiking up in slush, and did get a glimpse of the larches!