Winter Backpacking & Snow Shelters - NOTE LOCALE CHANGE (1/22/2011)

We will snowshoe in, build ourselves a Snow Shelter aka Quinzee. Eat, sleep overnight and be merry after the hard work. If you have lower back or medical problems, please clear it with your doctor first, as there is a lot of shoveling and crawling around. Also, this might be challenging for people who are claustrophobic or allergic to cold. NOTE: we will be going regardless of weather unless its so bad that we can't actually get there which is unlikely.

If needed, I will conduct a pre-trip meet for gear. In addition to regular backpacking equipment. You will also need:
1) Liquid fuel stove (propane stoves dont work so well in the cold)
2) Tarp big enough to use as a ground sheet to stay drier inside your shelter. (we'll discuss who brings this)
3) Big Snow Shovel, leave the small backpacking ones at home
4) WATERPROOF outer clothing and dry change of clothes. You WILL get wet when building the shelter.
5) I recommend using Waterproof Sorel/Baffin type of snow boots. DO NOT wear leather boots.

You should be fit enough to carry a heavy pack or haul a sled/pulk for ~ 5 kms whilst wearing snowshoes or XC skis. The good news is that you don't need to haul a tent in. The bad news is that winter clothing and equipment is heavier :)

We will start nice and early on Saturday morning hike in to the Point Backcountry Campground which is located at the opposite end of Upper Kananaskis Lake.

You can rent winter backpacking stuff at MEC or UofC Outdoor Center

Note:
- This is also an any fun thing goes event (i.e. be prepared for the unexpected, fun wise, upper stiff lips need not come)
- Note that the cost is PER PERSON. Even if you cram 10 people into a quinzee it is still paid per person. The group size I have represents the max number of people I can take.
- There might be a pretrip meet or maybe not, stay tuned

PAYMENT NOTE & INSTRUCTIONS:
Payment is due immediately upon registration. Should payment information not be received within 5 days of registration you will be moved off the event and onto the waitlist. There will be no refunds after the cut off date unless a replacement can be found. The faster you pay the faster you get on. Don't be surprised if someone on the waitlist gets on before you do.

The following payment methods are avaliable:

1) Online email money transfer:
If you have a bank account with TD, BMO, CIBC, RBC, Scotia you can use their online banking system to send me an email money transfer. Choose a security password and let me know what that is. My email is vospermtb@gmail.com

2) Paypal, email me at vospermtb@gmail.com or use button below:

Paying for:

1 member $15.00 2 members $30.00

Name of member:

Note:
- Refunds after the cut off is not possible unless a replacement can be found for you.
- Do not send money to the club.

WAITLISTERS
This is a first paid first get on event. If you want to get on, send me your payment first and when someone on the main list does not make the payment on time you'll get to be moved up first. I won't deposit your payment until you get moved up.

Winter Consideration:
updated by Ben C on Jan 21, 2011
Terrain Classification: This event is held at a designated winter backcountry campground. The trail in is a class 1 but we will be below the treeline and in minimal avalanche risk.
Conditions: currently rated low. Will re-evaluate prior to trip.
Plan: Hike in to the campground along the north lake edge below the treeline.
Note that COC event coordinators are volunteers and are not trained guides. All participants are responsible for assessing the current road conditions, current weather conditions, current trail conditions and current avalanche conditions for the trip.

- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
- Notice any errors or problems in the information on this page? Please notify our Content Editor(s), Wendy W and Lynda H., at content@calgaryoutdoorclub.com.