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Winter Backpack & Snow Shelters (1/11/2020)

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.For some events a payment may be required. Payment is not made directly to COC - please review event details fully for information about if and how you will be required to make payment.

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 inexpensive).

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The Basics:

Event Type:

Snowshoe

Event Location:

Some not-so-random wilderness location - TBC

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Jan 11 2020 9:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 8:00 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Jan 9 2020 12:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

2 days

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

Ben Cheong
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members & Guests, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests:

Minimum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests Per Member:

Number Registered So Far:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Ever wonder if you are stuck out in the wilderness how comfy can you get? We will snowshoe/ski in, build two shelters. A Winter Shelter and a Snow Shelter. Do some basic bushcraft, eat lots, sleep overnight and be merry after the hard work.

We'll be building a Lean-to super shelter and a Quinzee (aka Alberta Igloo) and maybe other types of snow shelters depending on the snow levels and manpower available. You’ll also be expected to help forage and collect firewood so this will be a working weekend. Beginners are welcome. You’re need snowshoes or cross-country skis to get into the campsite. See links below for how to:
Lean to
Quinzee

We'll do Individual Dinners. Bring something to share if you'd like.

Distance – 1.5km one way approx
Elevation – 10-30m one way approx

NOTES:
- There WILL be a lot of snow shoveling and crawling around in tight spaces, tunneling through snow so this might be challenging for people who are claustrophobic or allergic to cold and hard work. You'll also get wet so waterproof layers is essential. Plus bring a backpacking snow shovel.
- We will be foraging for firewood so a backpacking saw is needed. A hatchet is optional but can be useful. If you want to do the smaller bushcrafty wood stuff, a fixed blade knife is needed.
- We will be going regardless of weather conditions unless its so bad that we can't actually get there which is unlikely
- Which also means even if its cold (its winter!), we'd still be going (then you'll see why a shelter/quinzhee works well in that climate.

If needed, I will conduct a pre-trip meet for gear. In addition to regular backpacking equipment, you will also need some extra gear, see list below. Some of the gear can be shared (stoves, saws etc). Wait for a logistics coordination email. I will need enough drivers, winter gear tends to take up more space than usual. I tend to bring a pulk.

You can rent/buy winter backpacking stuff at MEC or UofC Outdoor Center. Other outfitter stores like Cabela's and Canadian Tire (cheap), The Army Navy Store (cheap) also have a lot of the items if you're buying lower priced items..

Any questions email me.

Required Items to Bring:

Gear:

- Snowshoes
- Liquid fuel stove ((like white gas, propane/butane stoves pretty much don't work well in the cold) or cook over a fire
- Pot to melt snow over a fire for water
- Matches, lighters, ferro rod for fire starting
- Small tarp for a ground sheet
- Puncture proof sleeping mat with at least 1.6 R value
- Sleeping bag rated to your personal temperature comfort levels. Suggest a -10 or more.
- Long handled SNOW shovel with a nice big blade you can carry in (do not bring a dirt shovel), leave the uber lightweight and short handled backpacking snowshovels ones at home. Your back will thank you.
- Sharp knife preferably with a fixed or locking blade (or something you can cut a thick twine with like a swiss army knife)
- small roll of Jute Twine (dollar store)
- Backpacking saw
- Backpacking Axe or Hatchet
- Lots of yummy food
- Sun glasses/goggles
- Sun screen, lip balm, moisturizer
- Personal First Aid Kit

Clothing:
- WATERPROOF, breathable, outer clothing - Jacket and Pants. Goretex type is good.
- Adequate layers to stay warm. Would hate to have to thaw you out.
- Dry change of clothes including extra gloves and socks. You WILL very likely become wet especially if your outer clothing isn't as waterproof as you think
- Synthetic waterproof insulated snow boots like Sorels. Leather boots do not work well in a freeze thaw cycle.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

- Camera
- Gaiters
- Pulk/Sled/Toboggan
- Tropical palm tree for ambience
- GPS or Compass and map, so you know where you are

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

TBC - I'll be scouting the location depending on snow levels for area.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

150Km

Carpool Departure Time:

8:00 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $40.50 (calculated at total Km * $0.27, effective Thursday, October 1, 2020). This is based on $0.15/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Note that drivers with large vehicles have the option to adjust this cost based on their vehicles. Your carpool driver will confirm exactly how much money they require to cover costs. Please split the actual amount among all people in the vehicle and bring some change as drivers are not expected to carry change.

Notes:

- Winter considerations. Foothills, non avalanche terrain.
- We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines at all times while participating in COC events.
- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
- Questions about equipment or rentals? Contact the Event Coordinator for suggestions and recommendations.
- 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.
- Support the club by purchasing a Premier Membership: $25 a year

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!

You need to pay your membership dues.