Club Events 2002/2003

Trip List Calendar

2003-07-14 : COC - Inline Skating at North Glenmore Park


2003-07-15 : COC - Upper Kananaskis Lake
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Mandy, Lana Tanney, Holly P, June Mackenzie, Rhonda S, Tina Praught, Dana Winkler

Well, great turn out COC. Seven of us tackled Upper Kananaskis Lake on Tuesday. Great to see new people!

The hike is around the upper lake and is 16.5km in length.

After 5 km lunch was necessary and Dana had a well-packed lunch and he was keen to eat it.

The trail itself was extremely friendly during the first half. We identified many new flowers and made friends with one little "monkey" (aka squirrel). After a few hours the hike took us through jungle-like conditions, deep forest, avalanch tracks and beach-like conditions. The fly dope came out quickly.

We then took a beautiful break by the water and were thoroughly entertained to tears by some local chap with a bear hat on.

This trail lead us past a few sets of falls and some beautiful rapids. SUDDENLY TO DISCOVER WE WENT INTO COUGAR TERRAIN... Our frolic around the lake suddenly turned to extreme rock climbing.

Low on water, low on positive comments, huffing and puffing along we finally found the car again and triumph was felt by all.

-- Tina

Note for future reference... do this hike COUNTER CLOCKWISE


2003-07-19 : COC - Whitewater Rafting
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Joel W. (SquarePants), Tina Praught, Agnieszka Janiewicz, Chris Janiewicz, Graeme, Heather MacDonald

A most excellent day!

We drove out toward Canmore via Highway 1A - the scenic route (my favorite).

Our white water trip down the Kananaskis River started with Rainbow Riders at the Rafter Six Ranch. They suited us up in wet suits and boots, and drove us out to the drop point, where they ran us through the basics, which mainly consisted of what to do if/when you fall out of the raft, the variations of which pretty much had to do with exactly how far away from the raft you were once you had your faculties about you.

The weather was perfect, and the river and scenery were beautiful. Tina survived a near-death-experience when she almost fell out of the raft, head dragging in the water, anchored only by her foot strap.

We were part of a convoy of three rafts. One of the rafts was full of young men who had overdosed on their testosterone supplements that day. They made it their mission to soak everyone in the other two rafts, and discovered immediately that all the rafts are outfitted with soaker guns. We, of course, thought they'd brought the soaker guns along, so we didn't realize until much too late that we could actually defend ourselves with our OWN soaker guns. Once we did realize it, though, we appointed Chris to be our official "gunner", which he took to like it was his life's calling. Later on down the river we teamed up with the third raft to ambush them around the corner and momentarily had our revenge.

Near the end, we pulled the rafts over and left them near shore while a bunch of us (myself excluded) swam/floated down a small set of rapids on our butts. It looked like fun, but the water was too cold for me to want to fully immerse myself in it, so I just had to take everyone's word for it.

We had an absolutely fabulous time, thanks in no small part to our guide, Darci, who "barked" orders at us as we made our way down the river and through the rapids, eddies, and "widow makers".

Afterward, Joel, Graeme and I went to Tina's for dinner, where we cooked our stir-fry on her "hot rock" style skillet.

The only bad thing about this trip is that it's over. I have been looking forward to it for MONTHS, and now it's over. Encore!


2003-07-27 : COC - Mountain Biking at Tom Snow
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Heather MacDonald, Carl McCowan, Graeme

The group met at the Westhills Canadian Tire parking lot. We were joined by a long time friend Mike and two others, Barb and Linda from the Elbow valley Cycle Club.

The ride began at Station Flats West of Bragg Creek and followed counter clockwise along the trail loop. Weather cooperated very well as its was one of the warmest days of the summer. Rhonda received her calling as a most impressive downhill rider. Way Cooll!!

The ride followed an unscheduled midnight ride to Moose Mountain by Mike and Graeme. Rhonda and Graeme discussed that night rides may be incorporated into the event schedule.

-- Graeme

This was definitely one of the most well-attended events that I've been too. We had a great group of people and I think that both seasoned and less-experienced riders were able to have a good time on this trail. The downhill on this trail is definitely worth the heat and relatively steep climbing we endured on this ride.

Right from the beginning of the trail, we kept going up and up, some of us much faster and with less effort than others. However, the faster riders were both patient and supportive and on behalf of us slower folk, we just like to thank you.

An interesting aspect of this ride is definitely the cows. Yes, there are cows on this trail and many of them! They just stood there on the side of the trail relatively undisturbed by the mountain bikers wizzing by. Very cool!

The downhill on this trail is gggreat; very fast and somewhat technical. Most of it is single track and is protected by trees to give riders a break from the summer heat. Unfortunately, some of us got carried away and went home with a few minor injuries. There were a few points on the downhill where we had to get off our bikes and walk because of the difficulty of the terrain (water, logs, etc.), but for the most part, we were able to hold on and let er rip.

If you're new to the sport, it's probably advisable to work your way up to a trail like Tom Snow. As I already mentioned, there quite a bit of climbing and the downhill is fast.

After our ride, most of us we went to one of the golf courses in Bragg Creek for some food and beer (and to clean out the wounds!). The food was good and we had a few more laughs as we recounted our adventure that day.

--Heather


2003-07-29 : COC - Powderface Ridge
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S, Tyler Nagel
Participants: Graeme, Tyler Nagel, Rhonda S

Tyler is a terrific evening hike leader - if you have a chance to take an evening hike with him - do it! He found out ahead of time exactly when sunset was, and figured out how long we could/should hike out before turning back. It was a fairly relentless uphill climb, but we were able to trudge all the way up to the shoulder with an awesome view before having to turn back.

A most excellent hike!


2003-07-30 : COC - Two Loops and a Lunch
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Mandy, Heather MacDonald, Rhonda S, Lana T

As the day unfolded, it was clear that this would have to be renamed "Two Loops, a Lunch, and Lots of Laughs." This was by no means a hardcore hiking trip, but it was hardcore in humour all the way.

We started the day at the Canmore Nordic Centre where we began the Georgetown Trail. Well it was a nice little walk through the forest, but the trail was poorly marked. You definitely needed the guidebook for this one. We saw a few foundations from the houses of the Finnish settlers, as well as some of their cheery family photos on the interpretive signs that marked the trail.

After cruising the streets of Canmore where we managed to "borrow" a defective map, we proceeded for lunch to The French Quarter Cafe. One of the best meals for $6.50 I've had in my life......yummy sausage.

The second hike was a 3.1km loop up to Grassi Lakes. While this is a steady incline with no flat spots, it is manageable, and you are definitely rewarded once you reach the lakes. The lakes are crystal clear with just spectacular colours showing through from the bottom. The pictures in the guide books do not do it justice, and the books are very acurate when stating that everyone should do this hike at least once. After stopping at the lakes for photos, to watch the climbers on the huge rock face beside the second lake, and to dip our feet in the icy cold water, we completed the hike.

And just when we thought that the adventure was done for the day we discovered a place that we will definitely be stopping at again after our next trip back from the mountains. We can't wait to share this spot with all the other members!

-- Mandy


2003-08-02 : COC - Millarville Farmers Market


2003-08-13 : COC - Bowfort Park
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Fran Buchanan, Barry Brown, Mandy, Michelle Meckelborg, Barry Brown, Jackie Brown, Graeme

A very pleasant stroll down along the Bow River. We saw lots of happy pooches who had been taken out for a splash in the river, the beautiful homes along the Bowness side of the river, and some interesting colors in the sky due to the Crowsnest Pass forest fires.


2003-08-15 : COC - Smoke Tour of the Canadian Rockies
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Marlis *, Rhonda S, Mandy

This event was originally scheduled as a Johnston Canyon Hike. We renamed it to "Smoke Tour of the Canadian Rockies", because sadly, it fell on a day when forest fires were raging all over Alberta and BC.

We set out unsure if we should even be going - the smoke in Calgary was so thick you could hardly see the sky. An American tourist told us that the Banff area was just as bad or worse.

We set out anyway, and when we got to Johnston Canyon, the smoke wasn't really that bad, but they had the trail beyond the lower falls closed due to fire risk.

So, we did the 1.1km to the lower falls, which was jammed with people. There was a moderate amount of smoke, but the canyon and boardwalk were still beautiful.

Next, we decided that we'd better do some more hiking, and chose Tunnel Mountain, which I'd always been curious about. On the way, we drove past the Hoodoos and had a look at them. Tunnel Mountain was a good hike - a steady incline up to the round summit where there were fabulous, albeit smokey, views.

Our hiking needs met, we stopped in Banff at Joe Btfsplk's for greasy food and milkshakes, where we saw the world famous "Fenton Burned Me" spatula.

On the way back, we had to share the joy of Chief Chiniki's restroom with Marlis (to see what we mean, stop at the gas station near Chief Chiniki's, grab a snack for the road, and try out the facilities).


2003-08-16 : COC - Columbia Icefield and Parker Ridge
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Mandy

There's no telling how far we may go to try to escape from the forest fire smoke...

We left Calgary at 9AM, and headed west through Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise. The smoke was really thick all the way out there, and for a long way north, as well, as we headed up Highway 93 toward Jasper National Park.

We finally arrived at the Icefields Centre at about 1PM, had a bite to eat, and then went across to the Athabasca Glacier, and hiked up to, and onto it, for a bit. I wimped out almost immediately - it was really slippery and treacherous!

Then, we doubled back to Parker Ridge. Greeting us was a huge sign warning us that there may be warheads on the trail, as the area used to be used for military training years ago. I decided that I should make us a COC sign that we can take on hikes warning people that Mandy is on the trail (heh heh).

Per the hike information, this was a bit of a long boring hump up to the top of the ridge, but we were rewarded with a great view of the amazing Saskatchewan Glacier when we got there.

After the hike, we returned to the turnoff for highway 11, stopped at the Saskatchewan River Crossing, and then Mandy and I parted ways, she returning to Calgary, and me continuing on through Nordegg, Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake on my way to Red Deer/Pine Lake.


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