Slow and Steady Hikers

SPECIAL TRIP : Sorry to any who don't make the go list for this trip. This event is a farewell hike for our friend Daniela, and only open to people she's hiked with in her short time here. I promise to make up for it with other cool trips soon!!!

***Group spread has become a big concern for me, and in order to combat it, my attendance limit going forward will be a max group of ten (or less), including me. I'm hopeful to reach people in recognizing how dangerous a practice this has become. If you have not been directly involved in an event where someone gets separated from the group, causing a major delay, you have definitely heard stories of it happening. Someone lost is the least of the concerns, which still has the potential to tax our overloaded SAR guys. It's just a matter of time before someone gets injured or, worse, loses their life, which has already happened to our beloved friend, Trina. If racing to the summit and back is the most important thing for you, please find an appropriate group to do that with, or organize trips yourself with capable, like-minded people. And please stay together as one group when you do.***

If being in our majestic mountains, soaking up all the beauty nature has to offer us, creating great memories with awesome, like minded people sounds good to you, please sign up and share your energy to getting the most out of our precious remaining life seconds!!!

***It is a requirement to read the following trip posting very carefully and to make the proper and responsible preparations for it. Failure to do so will result in the participant not being allowed on this trip. A waitlist has automatically been created to determine your suitability as a potential participant for this trip. You must meet all the prerequisites to be eligible to attend this event. If the organizer deems it necessary to obtain additional information from you, please provide it. Otherwise, you will remain on the waitlist. As a potential participant, you must check this trip posting for additional directions from the organizer, including up to trip cancellation.***

Bertha Peak Plus : Special Trip*

Let's go give Daniela one GREAT last adventure here so she won't forget us, and make her want to come back to visit us 🙃.

We'll have an everything day... bushwhacking, scrambling, ridge walking, and of course amazing views. Stats are something like 20k with extensions, and maybe 1200m gain AND an early start... mwuhahahahahaaaaaa (<----manical laughing).

People freak out about Waterton because they think it's a long drive, but we'll be at the trailhead in 2.25 hours from Somerset 😉. Keep that secret though, and we can keep Waterton for ourselves. It won't be that bad or a drove so please step up to the occasion.

Cheers,

Michael JC

Rideshare fee $25.00.

Must-Have Gear

-Rock Climbers Helmet
-Sunscreen
-Sunglasses
-Bear Spray (not a 'must have' but bring if you do have, please)
-Headlamp (With fresh batteries)
-An appropriate backpack
-Proper hiking clothes/boots (NO COTTON), 2.5 liters of water, personal first aid kit, emergency bivvy sack, and fire starting materials.

***Pack appropriately, i.e., like you are spending the night out unexpectedly!!!***

**HEADLAMP**(<-------this is written twice, did you notice?) and FRESH batteries, spare socks, 2.5 liters of water (<----- this is also written twice), a big lunch, and high energy snack foods.

Optional Gear

-Hiking poles
-Ski Goggles

Your participation in this event means you have read and accepted the waiver by signing up for it. If you have stated "no" in your profile, you will not be accepted to participate. You are fully aware that organizers are not professional guides and assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being. You are fully prepared with proper gear and are physically fit to do this hike with the group.

PLEASE READ ALL DESCRIPTION BEFORE SIGNING UP!!!
You will only be considered for this hike if you’ve hiked with me previously or attended an urban walk.

This hike will be limited to a total of 12 hikers. This hike is appropriate for SLOW Intermediate Hikers. WE WILL BE GOING SLOW. Think pauses and Kodak moments.

Hike is ~ 11.5 km with 400 m elevation gain. We will picnic at Cameron Lake post hike.

This is a fun hike with a strong start. Think immediate elevation gain.
Please check these websites for info:

https://watertontourism.com/waterton-listing/wall-lake/

https://www.10adventures.com/hikes/waterton-lakes-national-park/wall-lake/

Please meet at 7:00 am at the A&W /Petro-Canada in Aldersyde.
Please be on time - do NOT use Meetup to message me the day of the hike. You can text me at 780-237-5933 if you have any concerns about location. Please identify yourself in the text. :)

There is NO guarantee on return time. Please DO NOT make other plans that day.

• Suggested carpool fee is $25

What Must you Bring?

• Appropriately layered clothing (NO COTTON) for Spring / summer temperatures including hat / sunhat.
• hiking boots or shoes (no casual runners)
• microspikes (kahtoolas or hillsounds) - you just never know!
• lunch AND snacks
• at least 2 litres of water and preferably an electrolyte option
• Always have a rain/wind coat in your pack - weather in the mountains is unpredictable
• bear spray

Suggestions of What to Bring:

• Poles if you want them - I use mine every hike
• gaiters
• mini first aid kit

Please bring a change of socks/footwear for after the hike and a plastic bag for dirty/wet hiking boots or shoes (keep your driver's car clean).

Waiver: As per the new policy for waivers, the waiver form will be signed at the meetup location. You must sign it before you will be allowed to go on this event. You will also be asked for the name and phone number of an emergency contact. Please come prepared with this information.

Disclaimer: You are fully aware that organizers are not professional guides and you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being. You are fully prepared with proper gear and you're physically fit to do this event with the group.

We'll meet at the Riverbend Plaza in the SE (Glenmore and 18 Street SE) and bike from there along the Eastern Irrigation Canal to Chestermere. I'd like to have lunch at the Dockside Bar & Grill in Chestermere. It's about an 80 minute ride each way with less than 50m of elevation gain along the way. There isn't much shade on the trail so I recommend covering up and bringing sunscreen. I haven't done this ride in a few years and I'm posting this to see if there is any interest. If not, I'll set this up privately with a small group.

Distance: 23km each way
Elevation: < 50m

Please make sure your bike is in sound working order. A rescue operation will be a bit tricky (and time consuming) to sort out. Bring a tool, spare tire, other useful stuff in the event of a need to perform a repair. We're exposed to the sun much of the time so I also recommend covering up and bringing sunscreen. I recommend a few snacks and adequate water 3 or more liters.

The forecast for Sunday is mixed so I may cancel this on Fri maybe Sat.