Intermediate Hike (D3/D4) Raspberry Ridge Sun Jun 3 - 9:00 a.m.

Description: 12-14 km loop with 650 m elevation gain. Steep bits. Max elevation 7741 ft. Trail likely muddy perhaps snow/ice at the top - was fairly snowy in the area this past weekend. We will take the gradual approach up and probably the steep route down unless it is slippery. D3-D4 according to COC rating scale. If it's clear, good views.

A strong level of fitness is required. Up to 7-8 hours on the trail including lunch and lazing and photos and play and general slow-poking around depending on conditions and contingencies. Our pace is slowpoky. We may stop somewhere for snacks/hot chocolate or such on the way back. This could be a full day - don't expect to be back before mid to late evening.

We are a group - we try to hike together, be sociable, have fun, enjoy the scenery, take pictures, bask in the sun, and our pace is usually slow. If you don't want to wait to allow the slowest members to catch up and have a breather, this meetup group is not for you.

These are not guided trips - organizers are not trained guides and do not accept any responsibility or liability. There is a waiver of liability form to sign. Please read the waiver in advance. It's found under the More drop-down list, Files section.

Attendance: Please respond early - there may be a trip minimum - 3 or 4 depending on the trip. Update your response as soon as possible, especially if you've responded that you can drive. Use the waiting list responsibly. After 3 no-shows you may be asked to leave the group.

Late/Cancellation: If there is a last minute update, call or text (not email or meetup update) the organizer (in this case Nitin at 403 612 7129) as soon as you know you can't make it or are running late. We'd like to not wait, nor worry.

Transport:
We'll carpool at Anderson C-Train station parking lot (NORTH end near the car dealership), where you'll need to sign a waiver.

Indicate in your RSVP comments if you can drive or need a ride. If you respond that you can drive, we're counting on you, so be sure to update as soon as possible if you can't make it.

Directions: Drive 15 min south on Hwy 2 to Hwy 2A Okotoks turnoff. Go 15 min through the town to Hwy 7 and turn west. About 15 minutes to Black Diamond. Turn left/south at the 4-way stop. Another 15 min south to Longview, turn right onto Hwy 541. Perhaps 30 minutes west to the Highwood House gas station at the winter gate. Another 15 min south (11.2 km) on Hwy 940 gravel road to a small parking area. Total one way driving time: ~2 h. Be sure to get an idea of where you're going if you plan to drive.

Weather: Forecast for Longview as of Jun 2 High 18, low 5, cloudy periods, probably some wind on the ridge, may be cooler in the mtns. Subject to change quickly in the mountains. Be prepared for any conditions - cold, hot, snow, rain, hail, sun, wind. :-)

Trail conditions: Snowy/icy/muddy?

Etiquette: Radios, ipods, etc, with speakers are not welcome. Texting, cell calls, and other electronics are discouraged beyond the trailhead. Leave no trace except footprints, take nothing but pictures. Pack out all garbage including organics.

Photo and Video: You should expect that you will be in pictures and short videos, and that these may be shared on the Meetup website or in other ways. Ongoing video (e.g., helmet cam) of lengthy (>1 minute) parts of the trip is NOT welcome to preserve privacy and group atmosphere. Please do share SOME highlight photos (NOT your whole collection) on the website. I reserve the right to delete duplicate, blurry, and excess photos to provide participants with a viewable album.

Costs: Meetup optional contribution of $2; NA: park entrance fees; gas $$ for drivers depending on # of passengers - vehicle expense for this trip is $50.

Pets/Kids under 16: Fit kids 12+, no pets.

Equipment: boots, gaiters, all-weather clothing. poles and microspikes might be handy. lots of food/water for a long day.

about ~1-2 litres water, lunch, snacks, extra snacks, 2-3 layers including tops and bottoms that are wind/waterproof (no denim/jeans), warm socks, toque/scarf/gloves/mitts, sunscreen, spare socks, cash, toilet paper and a ziplock bag to carry it out, patience, a sense of humour, group-mindedness, medium sized daypack preferably with padded hip strap to carry all that stuff

Optional/suggested equipment, depending on trip and terrain and conditions and season and preference: Trekking poles, road map, trail map, compass, gaiters, flashlight/head lamp, whistle, bear spray (NO bear bells), pocket knife, first aid kit, yaktrax, sunglasses, camera, kleenex, lip balm, moleskin, mosquito repellent, waterproof sit-upon (a jacket in a garbage bag works), wind or rain pants, a change of clothes/shoes for the car, etc.