Climb for Charity - the Calgary Tower! 2014 makes 5 in a row for DSN!

Update April 25 - it's on for tomorrow!
The forecast has cooler temps with a little snow; so dress appropriately - in this case, you may be working up a bit of a sweat (depending on your fitness level), so a couple of layers is recommended - keep warm outside, then you can peel off inside... so you might want to bring a backpack for your water & warmer clothes.

It's only 802 steps; you can rest on each landing (there are about 40 landings, so it's about 20 steps each flight), so even the least fit of us can do this without streaming out sweat!!

PARKING is not free on Saturdays on the street - normal ParkPlus rates are in effect - but the Tower is just a couple of minutes from the C-Train (1st St SW station or Centre St Station). So you could park in a C-Train lot & ride in. You still need to pay your Transit fare, but it may be cheaper than street parking downtown for a few hours.

Update April 21 - here are a few notes about facilities (yes, there are washrooms!!):
BE AWARE of the lack of storage space & no liability - do NOT bring a purse or backpack full of stuff; only what you can carry!!
They USED TO give out fruit & water free; no longer - so bring your own water & any snacks - you'll want some water when you reach the top, especially if you're not used to this sort of physical activity.

Is there a team meeting place?
The meeting place is by the stage on the main mall level.

Are any snacks or nutrition available?
Fresh fruit (bananas, oranges, etc.) is available for purchase, as are granola bars and energy bars. A limited supply of bottled water is available, although we do encourage climbers to bring their own. There is also a convenience store open in the tower mall that sells a range of snacks and food items.

Is there any storage space for my belongings?
There is a small coat check area, however space is very limited, so it is only suitable for clothing, not backpacks or other bulky items. Using the coat check is done at your own risk; AWA can take no responsibility for items left.

500 feet. 802 steps. Climb For Wilderness - for Earth Day!

Climb and Run for Wilderness is Alberta Wilderness Association's annual Earth Day event at the Calgary Tower. This event provides you the unique opportunity to climb the 802 stairs inside the Calgary Tower. The day is filled with entertainment, including an outstanding Wild Alberta Expo where you can learn more about Alberta's wilderness, wildlife and wild waters. You will have a terrific time and be eligible for outstanding prizes.

SUMMARY OF THE IMPORTANT BITS OF THIS EVENT:

• register yourself as a stair climber - online any time until the Thursday night, or in person at the Tower that morning

• $35 individual registration, allows you just one climb up the stairs (but you can also 'climb' back down)

• I'll be available to meet people from 9:30-10:00 near the registration desk - wearing my black Meetup t-shirt and white Stetson (you can't miss me, like in the photo below!)

• at 10:00 we will start the climb as a group - it can take just 15 minutes if you're in good shape, or half-an-hour if you're like me & out of shape!!!

• we'll catch up at the top, get some pics (pocket/phone cameras recommended, you don't want to lug a heavy SLR up with you!)

• you can walk down the stairs, or take the elevator down

NOTE: people do this climb at different speeds; we'll all catch up at the Tower top so we can go for lunch together

• I have reservations for us nearby for 11:00-11:30ish nearby (we've gone to the James Joyce Pub a couple of blocks away, at 114 8th Ave. each year, so that's the current plan).

DSN did this first in 2010 (LINK HERE) (https://www.meetup.com/CalgaryDoSomethingNew/events/12697121/), and although it was a bit of a physical challenge for a couple of us, Alexander showed us up by doing 6 or 7 climbs!!

We repeated with a larger crowd in 2011, and 18 in 2012 - the numbers dipped a bit last year, so let's get even more out in 2014!!

Last year's event - LINK HERE.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/8/a/e/event_22719086.jpeg

Saturday, April 26, 2014 - 9:30 - REGISTER ONLINE (http://www.climbforwilderness.ca/registration.asp) if you haven't already - and meet & greet other DSNers!!

There are various 'booths' lining the hallways; most are enviro- info oriented, as this charity is wilderness-related.

Registration opens earlier, at 8:30 if you want to start early; one can sign up/pay at the base of the Tower or register online & skip the lineup - LINK HERE (http://www.climbforwilderness.ca/registration.asp)!

Last climb's start time is 1:30pm, if you're going on your own.

So - from 9:30-10:00, we will meet around the registration desk area (just outside the tourism office) - look for my t-shirt & Stetson as in the photo!

If you have someone who wants to just cheer you/us on, access to the public Tower is the same as every day - $14.75+GST for adults. This $35 fee is just to climb the stairs, once.

More info: Climb For Wilderness Website (http://www.climbforwilderness.ca/)

More info: Calgary Tower (http://www.calgarytower.com/Rates.html)

Late arrivals may not be well-timed to meet up with the group - sometimes we can have a Meetup, without ever Meeting up!! So I won't charge the DSN $1 fee, but hope you can make it out anyway.

That's why 9:30-10:00 at the desk is an important time - so we CAN say hi, and socialize a little; or call me during that time to let me know what's up! I'll email my phone out to all, a few days before the event.

If you want to just join us for lunch, be aware that our timing may change a little as we go.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/9/0/0/600_324254592.jpeg