Club Events 2002/2003

Trip List Calendar

2003-10-07 : COC Jackrabbit Trail
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Lana T, brandee bates, Duncan C

To call this a 'hike' is a bit of a stretch, but it was a very pleasant walk on the trails on the south end of Glenmore Reservoir.

Much to Brandee's chagrin, there were no chirping chickadees to be found, but we had a very interesting and informative evening all the same:
  • Listening to hundreds of Canada Geese honk their disbelief at how quickly the trees are shedding their leaves
  • Saw an enormous beaver lodge. We had the great pleasure of meeting the owner and getting a tour of the inside of his home, but only on condition that we promised not to photograph the contents. Duncan was especially impressed with the satellite tv and entertainment system, while Lana was more interested in the pool table.
  • Brandee entertained us with her deep reflections on the "Northern Mice".


A lovely evening, but I'm sad to say that it won't be long at all until the trees are completely naked. I'm so glad that we made it out for the Sulphur Springs and Grotto Canyon hikes when we did to really enjoy the fall colours.


2003-10-22 : COC - Douglas Fir Trail
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Lana T, Rhonda S

Brisk is how this walk started out, but after a fairly steady uphill climb for the first few minutes, the coats came off, and we had a great fall hike (once we got around the ENTIRE middle school that was also on the trail today).


2003-10-26 : COC - Two K-Country Hikes
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Jennifer D, Lana T, Brian Bogaert, michelle p., Holly P, Doug M, Rhonda M, Jason Firth, Dominique Peloquin

Today was originally supposed to be the Ptarmigan Cirque hike. Lana and I went out to K-Country yesterday and checked out the trail, though, and it was pretty snowy, so per the K-Country Trail Reports, we decided to do a couple of lower elevation hikes instead.

"Many Springs" was a bit disappointing. We didn't get to see much "bubbling". There was one spot where we saw a bit of bubbles, but not much. This hike is probably more appealing earlier in the season. It was still a very pleasant walk, though.

Lower K-Lake trail was also nice, but unremarkable. It was great being outside, and it was chilly but invigorating, and we warmed up quickly when we started moving.


2003-10-31 : COC - Halloween Film Festival
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Graeme, Rhonda S, danielle, Lora Risk, JeriLynne Lorentzon, Roy Maltby, Debbie A, Brian Schultz

We got off to a bit of a slow start tonight due to road conditions, but it was a great time anyway. Cardel Theatre is AWESOME!

The night was made for me, though, during Rocky Horror Picture Show. I don't know all the gags that the audience normally does, but Roy did, and he sat in the back calling stuff out. Suddenly, at the appropriate moment, he appeared, sans "Star Trek Costume", in full "Frank N Furter" splendor. We just howled as he mirrored the real "Furter" through his schtick. And he's got not bad legs, too.


2003-11-15 : COC - Edworthy Park
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Lana T, Melanie Parker, Betty Hasenfratz, Dave B, Rhonda S

The weather was beautiful today - it was a wonderful day to be out!

Edworthy Park was a bit disappointing, with icy/steep places that we weren't able to do. We then went over and did Douglas Fir Trail, which was wayyyy too icy - the stairs throughout were quite treacherous, and most of us clung for dear life to the hand rails, with 'yours truly' resorting to the combination crab walk/bum slide in several places. Janice, Andrew (and Ian, their little guy) made the wise choice and took their leave of us after Edworthy.

We decided to leave the 'hillier' Calgary hikes for springtime after the ice has melted, although we're still going to do the Christmas Light walks.


2003-11-16 : COC - Caving at Canmore Caverns
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Duncan C, Jennifer Martin, brandee bates, Brent Patton



Scene: Five bone-weary but oh-so-satisfied people, slouched back in their chairs at Boston Pizza, almost too fatigued to lift their pizza to their mouths...

Wavy 'flashback' lines, a'la Wayne and Garth...

We set out this morning from Calgary with perfect weather, which turned not-so-perfect as we approached Canmore. Luckily, the blizzard was short-lived, and by the time our guide, Troy, had us out to the mountain, we once again had a clear day.

We half-trudge and half-slipped our way up the icy 2km trail up to the mouth of Rat's Nest Cave.

We suited up, and entered the cave, which is home to a species of rat which is actually native to Alberta: the pack rat, which is a chubby ol' fluffy guy who looks somewhat like a chinchilla. He greeted us by opening one eyeball, and being completely disinterested in us. The "cave perfume" (ie. pack rat pee smell) was not too thick, but it was there. It smells kind of like male cat "spray".

We started into the cave, and almost immediately came to the 18m rappel, which I'm happy to say I survived, only just, and not without the occasional curse-word slippage. OK, I exaggerate... the rappel ROCKED!

Troy took as through all kinds of amazing and wonderful cave areas. Most of the interesting formations are, oddly, named after food.

Duncan was the most experienced caver among us, and actually had experience with this specific cave. He helped out with a lot of stuff. Brent was about the most enthusiastic, and didn't even hesitate to plunge himself head first into the tight, oval, downhill tunnel that we "supermanned" our way through. Jennifer was the "Key Monkey" with enough childhood monkey bar experience to make caving a walk in the park. Brandee was glad that we were faster and more efficient than the group of 72-year-old Japanese women. I (as usual) was the weakest link.

Deep in the center of the cave, we found a wonderful little water pool, and off to the side, a larger pool where only the certifiably insane actually SCUBA DIVE way down there inside the cave. At this point, Troy had us all shut off our lights to experience the total darkness of the underground, and we enjoyed the suddenly more noticeable trickling noises from both pools.

We shimmied, and pulled, and wedged our way back up, and finally out through a treacherous and tight wooden "box" to emerge back out at the mouth of the cave. This tour is NOT for the weak of heart - it is a definite adventure.

This was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had in my life, in spite of the fact that I was SO far out of my 'comfort zone' that I needed to take my passport along.

- Rhonda


2003-12-08 : COC - Evening at Schank's
Event Coordinator(s): Lora Risk, Rhonda S
Participants: Marlis *, Jennifer D, Nadene Krack, Keith Turps, Lora Risk, Ben Johnson, Sherry Munro, Betty Hasenfratz, Rhonda S, michelle p., Lana T, Graeme

Great social - good turn-out with a good mix of new folks and regulars.


2003-12-11 : COC - Christmas Light Walking Tour
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, sonia Gagnon, Betty Hasenfratz

A terrific walk!

It was definitely cold enough tonight for us to feel it, but not cold enough to make it really uncomfortable. There was a noticeable lack of Christmas Lights on this tour, but the great views of the city and the white tailed deer on the path more than made up for it.

Betty and I tried out my new ice cleats, and they rock! Much much better than sliding around all over the place. We should have had these for the Douglas Fir Trail!

We didn't do the complete loop from the book. We started off at the Pumphouse Theatre, walked down the path along the Bow River, and then up the hill into Scarboro. From there we walked up 26th St. to 17th Avenue and sat in the Coffee Cats Cafe and had a warm beverage, and a bit of a tap dancing demonstration from Betty and Rhonda (on the ice cleats). Then, we retraced our steps back down to the Pumphouse. The river was beautiful, the moon was very bright, and the city views were spectacular. Definitely worth doing, especially with a camera.


2003-12-13 : COC - Pocaterra
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Wendy Wong

Snow Shoeing Rocks!

I have taken a 'lecture' on snow shoeing, but this was my first time out trying it for real.

Pocaterra Trail is a great place to try snow shoeing. There's a cool meadow to tromp around in, some great mountain views, and a snow shoe trail that tours around up and down through the hills and trees.

Wendy and I were the only snow shoe-ers out today, but we had a great crowd with the 8 cross-country skiiers (see event 149).

-- Rhonda


2003-12-20 : COC - Troll Falls (and more)
Event Coordinator(s): Dave B
Participants: Betty H, Betty Hasenfratz, Rhonda S

To Dave this may have been just a walk in the park, but I thought it was an awesome hike!

We started off at the Nakiska Day Lodge, and hoofed 'er up to the lookout. I was very irritated to see how out of shape I've become lately. I'll definitely have to start taking the stairs at work (good thing I'm moving down to the 19th floor from the 32nd).

After enjoying the view, and our lunches, by the old lookout hut, we sailed back down (down is much easier than up... go figure) the hill and then detoured over to check out Troll Falls. The frozen falls were amazing and beautiful, and it was pretty cool to see the stream still running through the deep snow.

Wonderful! A definite 'must see'.


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