Chester Lake Alpine/Light Touring for Novices/Newbies - Sat, Dec 14 2013

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Chester Lake Alpine/Light Touring for Novices/Newbies (12/14/2013)

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 742

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Dec 14 2013 10:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 8:20 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, Dec 11 2013 7:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

4-5 hours of skiing + driving (about 1.5 hours each way)

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Event Coordinator(s):

Barbara B.
Brian W
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:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Distance: 10.2km
Elevation Gain: 310m
Sunrise: 8:39am
Sunset: 4:35pm

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 get off groomed trails and try alpine or light touring
   (it's fine if you've never been on AT/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 - all the way to the lake and back.
   · You are willing to take your time; event duration may vary.
  · Please indicate in the sign-up Notes whether you will be on alpine touring gear (preferred) or light touring gear.

This event is NOT for you if:
   · You do not have access to alpine or 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. If the weather's great, we'll take more time to explore, possibly going to the Elephant Rocks.
   · You do not show up with all mandatory gear/items as listed below.

If you have any questions, please contact:
- Barbara for any registration or alpine touring gear questions
- Brian for any carpool or light touring gear questions.

Difficulty & Gear:
Do not be deterred by the D5 rating; it's simply the lowest rating that COC has for backcountry skiing. This event is aimed at those just starting alpine touring or 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. While alpine touring gear is preferred for this event (as that's what your coordinator will be bringing and wants to try out), light touring skis with metal edges are also acceptable and perfectly adequate for this trip. If you wish to cross-country ski, this is not the event for you.

Rentals / Cancellations:
This weather will only go ahead with a favourable forecast (i.e., no blizzard or -20C). Please keep this in mind if you rent gear. MEC has no penalties as long as you cancel your gear a couple of days beforehand, but I believe at the Outdoor Centre you lose 15%. I'll confirm with the group that this event is a go by early Thursday, December 12.

Now onto the fun stuff ...

The Chester Lake area is a winter wonderland, seeing snow early in the season - and lots of it! It gets you into beautiful, open terrain and can provide an exciting run on the way down. The trail follows an old road, first rising gradually, then more steeply, before it levels out at open meadows through which one skis to the lake. It is our goal to only go to the lake and we'll have lunch there, but if it's a beautiful day (sunny and not too cold) and we're good for time, we may choose to continue a bit further and explore the Elephant Rocks.

If you bring avalanche gear (beacon, shovel, probe), we may have an opportunity to bury and search for some beacons. Note that avy gear is not required for this trip; if you have it and bring it, this would solely be for practice.

References:
   · Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies by Chic Scott
   · PLPP Weather
   · Avalanche Bulletin - Kananaskis

Ski Rentals:
If you do not have your own pair of alpine touring skis you will need to rent a 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. Information for rentals is below. Make sure that you get either an alpine touring package (wide skis and boots similar to downhill) or light touring package (skis that are a bit wider than cross country skis, but have metal edges). For either option you must also bring skins for the skis. 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:
   · Alpine touring package (preferred) or light touring package
   · Skins for skis (otherwise you won't make it up the hills)
   · Ski boots
   · Ski poles
   · Sun glasses or ski goggles
   · Headlamp
   · Water, tea, lunch
   · Warm layers
   · First aid kit
   · Plastic bag for your wet stuff for the way back
   · Bear spray (there have been sightings last week still)
   · A smile & sense of adventure :-)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
· Avalanche gear (beacon, shovel, probe - for practice only)
· Camera

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

   · Head west on Trans Canada to Hwy 40.
   · Drive 50km south on Hwy 40.
   · At Hwy 40/Kananskis Trail Junction, reset odometer to 0. Turn right onto Kananskis Trail.
   · 2.2km - Turn right (northwest) onto Smith- Dorrien/Spray Trail (Hwy 742).
   · 22.2km - Chester Lake Day Use area parking lot on right.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

260Km

Carpool Departure Time:

8:20 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $78.00 (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 December 13, 2013.
Terrain Classification: Simple (Class I).
Conditions: Moderate (2) at Alpine, Low (1) at Treeline, Low (1) Below Treeline. Read the Kananaskis Avalanche Bulletin.
Plan: If the avalanche forecast for December 14, 2013 ends up at "High" or "Extreme" at any elevation, the event will likely get cancelled.

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: $2.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
*Note: Event location will change to PLPP ski trails if avalanche rating is "High" or "Extreme" at any level for Saturday (as per COC Winter Safety Considerations). Note that if location would have to change, you could ski either with light touring skis or cross country skis (no alpine touring or telemark skis allowed on groomed PLPP ski trails). You are responsible for reviewing your rental/cancellation policy and being ok with it prior to signing up for this event.