Sandy McNabb Trails Light Touring for Novices - Sat, Feb 17 2018

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Sandy McNabb Trails Light Touring for Novices (2/17/2018)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED:Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:

Event Type:

Ski - Backcountry

Event Location:

Kananaskis - Hwy 546

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Feb 17 2018 10:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 9:00 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Feb 15 2018 9:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

3.5-4 hours of skiing + driving (about 1 hour each way)

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

Barbara B.
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests:

Minimum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests Per Member:

Number Registered So Far:

3 (Log in to see who's signed up.)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Distance: 10 - 13km
Elevation Gain: Some undulating terrain. Maybe 200m.
Sunrise: 7:45am
Sunset: 5:58pm

IMPORTANT - Read Before Signing Up

This event is great for you if:
   · You have skied (XC, downhill, whatever) a few times before, but now wish to start getting off groomed trails and try light touring
   (it's fine if you've never been on LT skis; this will be a good time to try out any new equipment. However, this cannot be your first time on skis ever).
   · You are comfortable on hills (going slow on those is fine).
   · You are willing to go the distance - we will be skiing a loop, so not an in and out.
   · You are willing to take your time; event duration may vary.
  · Please confirm in the sign-up Notes whether you have or will rent light touring gear.

This event is NOT for you if:
   · You do not have access to light touring skis (see rental info below).
   · You are a fast skier and not willing to stay with the group.
   · You do not have a sense of adventure. This area is seldomly skiable, but we currently have the snow and temperatures toi give it a solid go.
   · You do not show up with all mandatory gear/items as listed below.

If you have any questions, please contact your coordinator prior to signing up.

Cheer on Team Canada - Wear red for the Olympics

Difficulty & Gear:
Rated Moderate only as we will be off-trail for at least a portion of the day and will have a few hills. This event is aimed at those getting into light touring. You may have just gotten new gear that you wish to try, or you may be curious as to what this is all about and wish to rent gear. Light touring skis with metal edges will be required (see more info below). The pace will be relaxed.

Rentals / Cancellations:
This weather will only go ahead with a favourable forecast (i.e., no blizzard or temperatures below -20C). Please keep this in mind if you rent gear. MEC has no penalties as long as you cancel your gear a day or so beforehand, but I believe at the Outdoor Centre you lose 15%. I'll send out an e-mail to the group should this even be a no-go by Friday 9:00am. Note that if you are renting gear, you must pick this up Friday night (it's considered a one- day rental at MEC if you pick up Friday night and return by Sunday 1:00pm).

Now onto the fun stuff ...

The Sandy McNabb trail network, due to being at lower elevations in the foothills just west of Turner Valley, are generally only skiable for a short duration each winter. We currently have the second wave of great conditions in this area due to the amount of snow received this past week (can we say snowmageddon?!), and the continuing cooler temperatures (the chinooks tend to deteriorate trails at Sandy McNabb very quickly).

The goal is to ski a counter-clockwise loop of Pine Ridge, Balsam Link, and Death Valley. Depending on weather and snow conditions, we may modify slightly, but expect to ski around 10- 14km total. Bring a packed lunch and bum pad as we do expect to stop for a break at the halfway mark. And, as we'll be on light touring skis, we may intentionally venture a bit further off trail to take advantage of some fresh powder. About half of the trails we'll be on were groomed (not trackset) on February 9, so will have tracks to follow, whereas the rest may or may not be skier set.

References:
   · Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies by Chic Scott & Darren Farley, 5th edition. Trip 26 (pages 85 - 89)
   · Sandy McNabb Trail Map
   · Sandy McNabb Grooming Report
   · Photo Album from February 11, 2018 trip on these trails
   · Turner Valley Weather

Ski Rentals:
If you do not have your own pair of alpine touring skis you will need to rent a light touring package. Note that no matter which place you rent these from, you must reserve these in advance. If you try to rent skis a couple of days beforehand, chances are you won't get them and it's not uncommon for rental places to be all out of skis for the weekend by Tuesday or Wednesday, especially on a long weekend. Information for rentals is below. Make sure that you get a light touring package (skis that are a bit wider than cross country skis, but have metal edges; also includes boots, skins [which we'll likely not use, but bring them just in case], and poles). You must have your skis with you at carpool. MEC lets you pick up the day before and drop off the day after (also cheaper there).

Mountain Equipment Co-Op:
· Rental Policies and Procedures
· Rental Rates

University of Calgary Outdoor Centre:
· Rental Policies and Procedures
· Rental Rates

Required Items to Bring:
ALL of these items are mandatory:
   · Light touring ski package
   · Skins for skis (optional; but bring as they're included with rental)
   · Ski boots
   · Ski poles
   · Sunglasses or ski goggles
   · Headlamp (always carry this)
   · Water, tea, lunch
   · Warm layers
   · First aid kit
   · Plastic bag for your wet stuff for the way back
   · A smile & sense of adventure :-)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
· Bum pad to sit on at lunch
· Camera

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

· Will be given out at carpool.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

130Km

Carpool Departure Time:

9:00 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $39.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.30, effective Friday, April 19, 2024). This is based on $0.16/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Alternately your carpool driver may choose to split the maintenance cost plus the actual gas cost among all in the vehicle. Your carpool driver will confirm exactly how much money they require to cover costs. Please split the actual cost among all people in the vehicle.

Notes:

Winter Safety Considerations
Entered by Barbara on February 12, 2018.
Terrain Classification: Unrated terrain as this is in the foothills in a XC ski area. Conditions: None available as this area lies out of the mountain regions for which avalanche bulletins are issued.
Plan: Your coordinator will have the Avaluator and we will also assess conditions along the way.

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.

Cost & Payment:

Voluntary Donations:

Although there is no cost for this event, please note that the club survives on voluntary donations. Please consider making a donation based on the value you feel you receive from the club. See our How You Can Help page for more information.

Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $3.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
*Note: Event may be cancelled should the weather turn really bad (blizzard, extremely poor road conditions, or temperatures below -20C). You are responsible for reviewing your rental/cancellation policy and being ok with it prior to signing up for this event.