Stanley Glacier Snowshoe & Avalanche Awareness

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STANLEY GLACIER SNOWSHOE

AND AVALANCHE AWARENESS with BRUCE HENDhttp://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/9/0/e/event_204219182.jpegRICKS

Read this page in its entirety before you RSVP Please be sure to answer question #1

Included in our day will be some avalanche safety and awareness with Bruce Hendricks. Canadian born, he grew up in Minnesota and California. He's surfed with killer whales, conversed with the late Michael Jackson, and survived an avalanche that should have wiped him off the face of the earth.
He has traveled and climbed mountains around the world: Bavaria, France, Mexico, Bolivia and Australia.
He was a tenure faculty member at the University of Calgary for 12 years as the Coordinator of Outdoor Pursuits and Kinesiology.
Today he teaches young people the Outdoor Pursuits at Strathcona Tweedsmere School and keeps overly active in his own pursuits of mountain biking, mountain climbing, ice climbing, back country skiing, hiking and backpacking etc. etc. etc. He is basically a great, awesome really cool dude kind of a guy who scales gnarly frozen waterfalls for fun!

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Although this will not be a formal training course (this is not an AST (Avalanche Skill Training) session), you will gain a general awareness of what to look for when planning trips into avalanche effected areas including researching and recognizing avalanche terrain and avalanche conditions. As well, you will become familiar with tools and techniques used in avalanche rescue. It's one thing to have the equipment and another to know how to use it if you are ever called upon to do so. Each participant will be supplied with a shovel, probe and beacon and taught how to use them. Some pre-study of on-line resources is highly recommended (specifics to come later for those who register)"

Stanley Glacier (http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/activ1/b.aspx) in the summer is an easy, popular, 10 KM return hike. We'll drive from Calgary to Hwy 93 turning south at Castle Junction past Boom Lake at the Continental Divide to the trail-head.

The Basics:

Carpool Departure: 7:30 AM Shouldice Arena - RED Dodge Caravan
Event Duration: as long as it takes...
Please Note: Our arrival time back to Calgary is not set so please do not sign up if you have to get back for another engagement - even if it's your engagement...I'm sure you fiancee will understand.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/0/c/4/event_207064292.jpegIf there's time at the end of the day we'll connect with the Slow & Steady Redearth Creek Trail XC Ski Group for plunge in the pool and a pint in the pub. So bring your swimming togs.

Difficulty Rating: T3: Intermediate
Distance: 11 km
Elevation gain: 310 meters

Who can attend: Members; no guests or children for this event.
Gear Requirements:
Dress for the weather - layers (no jeans) - you'll warm up real fast & cool down quick
Hiking boots - Snowshoes - Hiking poles
Bear spray if you have it
2 liters of water and something like energy bars or trail mix for snacks, and/or a lunch
Personal First Aid Kit
Money for commuting - $20 for gas per person, paid in cash to your driver
Swimming suit for the Hot Springs

WAIVERS: Your consent is required for attending this event. You will be asked to provide the name and phone number of an emergency contact. Please read the Waiver by clicking HERE (https://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/Slow_and_Steady_Hikers_Waiver/). I will bring the group waiver form with me to the Calgary Meetup location and the trail-head. You must sign it before you will be allowed to go on this hike.

Your Host may be slow, but he is steady; however, he is a volunteer and not a trained guide. All participants are responsible for assessing the current road conditions, current weather conditions, your current condition http://img1.meetupstatic.com/614102232183174521616/img/smileys/wink.gif, current trail conditions and current avalanche conditions for the trip and you are responsible for your safety and well-being. You are fully prepared with proper gear and you're physically fit to do this hike with the group.

ALL WINTER TRIPS ARE DEPENDENT ON WEATHER CONDITIONS SO THE MORNING OF THE TRIP PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE TO MAKE SURE THE TRIP ISN'T CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.

COMMENTS & QUESTIONS: Please message Event Host directly for a speedier reply. Thanks for reading.