What we’re about
How many times have you seen hiking clubs where if you're not a super fast uber- hiker they don't want you going on any harder hikes or scrambles. They believe that if you are slower you should only stick to the easier stuff. Boring!! This is a club for those of us who still wish to do all styles of hiking from easy walks to scrambles. We just don't feel the need to make a "mad dash" for a summit or to finish a trail in record time. Hiking and being in the outdoors is meant to be an enjoyable activity for all of us. Slow and Steady is about hiking at a consistent, manageable pace -- which may vary from slow to moderate depending on the organizer -- and finishing the hike or scrambling to a summit together. If this is more your style and wish to meet like minded hikers please consider joining our club. We will be doing all kinds of summer and winter activities such as day hikes, scrambles, backpacking trips, XC skiing, snowshoe trips, downhill ski trips and any other outdoor related activity. Remember slow and steady wins the race. Lets all enjoy the great outdoors together. Just in a more relaxed pace.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Whaleback - (T3) - Intermediate ** TWO GROUPS** ** F - U - L - L**Needs location
Let's head for a much safer alternative to the slush! This is a must-do hike, if you have not seen it. It is one of the most unique and magical part of our province!
For your safety and the others of the team, you must answer all questions and meet all the pre-requisites to be eligible to attend this trip. If the organizer deems it necessary to obtain additional information from you, it must provided. As a potential participant, you must check this trip posting for additional directions from the organizer, including up to trip cancellation.
This trip is weather dependent, so please check the website the morning of the hike to make sure the trip has not been cancelled.
TRIP DESCRIPTION:
Estimated distance: 10-12 km
Estimated elevation: 500-600 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Maximum hikers: 10 (as per Alberta Parks)
Event pace: Relaxed ... with lots of photo opportunities
Physical Difficulty: (T2) Please see https://www.meetup.com/slow-and-steady-hikers/messages/boards/thread/53696371RSVP RULES: Late cancellations without a valid reason, will result in a "no-show" at the organizer's discretion.
DURATION: We are out for the day. If you have evening plans, please do not sign up for this hike, as we cannot guarantee a return time.
TRAILHEAD:
This is a 90-95 minute drive from Calgary. We will take AB22, and the turnoff is 37.2K south of AB 533 or 3.8km south of AB520 - the only road on the left. We will park on the grass. There will be a large cattle corral and lots of parking on the entrance without blocking gate. Grass section is sloped. https://goo.gl/maps/u4RrHjkffa21UBgB9REFERENCES:
http://bobspirko.ca/OtherScrambles/Whaleback/WhalebackSouth/WhalebackSouth.html
https://albertawilderness.ca/issues/wildlands/areas-of-concern/whaleback/
https://crownofthecontinent.net/entries/bob-creek-wildland-the-whaleback-alberta-canada/09c9670b-ab3e-4773-bb26-283ca66943adREQUIRED GEAR & SUPPLIES:
. bear spray
· backpack
· hiking boots (sturdy)
. sunhat
. headlamp
· personal first aid kit
· snacks
. water (2l)
· appropriate clothing (no cotton, no jeans)
. warm layers
· plastic bag for your wet/muddy stuff
. good attitude
. sense of humour ** Mandatory :-)SUGGESTED GEAR:
· gaiters
· poles
· balaclava
· change of clothes
. sense of adventure ** MANDATORY**CARPOOLING: Carpooling will not be arranged for this hike. Rides can be arranged in the comments section or via private personal messages. Suggested gas fee contribution is $25.00 per person. Please be considerate of your driver’s car and bring a change of shoes and a plastic bag for dirty footwear.
CONFIDENTIAL ELECTRONIC WAIVER: You must sign our club waiver before you are allowed to go on this trip, and provide an emergency name and phone number. You are required to read the Slow and Steady Hiker Club Waiver:https://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/OUR_NEW_WAIVER/
and
CODE OF CONDUCT: http://bit.ly/SnS_ConductIf you are confirmed on this hike, you must complete the following online waiver in order to attend https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R8J9DTS
DISCLAIMER: You are fully aware that your hosts are volunteers and not trained guides and you assume all responsibility for your own safety and well-being. All participants are responsible for assessing the current road conditions, current weather conditions, your current physical condition, 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.
- Bow Valley Provincial Park - Very SlowMiddle Lake Trailhead, Kananaskis, AB
Due to COVID-19:
- IF YOU HAVE NOT HIKED WITH ME BEFORE - HOW MANY COVID-19 VACCINATIONS HAVE YOU RECEIVED? WHAT WAS THE DATE OF YOUR LAST SHOT? PLEASE LET ME KNOW EITHER IN THE COMMENTS SECTION OR BY PRIVATE MESSAGE. I WILL NOT MOVE YOU FROM THE WAITLIST WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION. THANK YOU.
- Attendance will be limited and is at my discretion, not first come first serve. Members with NO-SHOWS will not be accepted.
- Waiver is now online - you must agree to the waiver before you can attend this event. It can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CC9PFMZ Please do not fill out the online waiver until you are on the going list. Filling out the waiver if you are on the waitlist will not give you a spot on the going list.
- If you develop symptoms before the hike or come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms, or have returned from international travel within 2 weeks of this hike, please remove yourself from the going list.
Pace - VERY SLOW.
Distance: 7-8km, Elevation Gain: 100-150m
*Please note that a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for this area.Absolute must for this hike is BEARSPRAY. Please do not put me in the position of having to turn you away from the hike if you do not have it.
Trailhead location from the west end of Calgary:
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/51.0885872,-114.273853/Middle+Lake+Trailhead/@51.0787742,-115.453081,9z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x5370dde71c84fd51:0x1b644c220019e4fd!2m2!1d-115.0904422!2d51.0780742!3e0?entry=ttuA waitlist has been created to determine this trip’s suitability for you as a potential participant. Please answer any RSVP questions, and if the organizer deems it necessary to obtain additional information from you, please provide it or you will remain on the waitlist. If you have rated yourself as MODERATE/INTERMEDIATE on your profile, you will need to send me a private message about why you want to attend a VERY SLOW hike, as we do not want to rush. Members with NO-SHOWS will not be accepted.
THIS TRIP WILL BE WEATHER DEPENDENT. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE THE MORNING OF THE TRIP TO MAKE SURE THE TRIP HAS NOT BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Time: 3-4 hrs. + drive time
No dogs, no children, no guests.Required Gear: Absolutely NO cotton clothing. Water (2 litres or more), lunch/snacks, bearspray, microspikes/city spikes, boots, backpack, appropriate layers for the temperature plus additional layers for when we stop, hat, mitts, personal-sized first aid kit, personal medications (if needed), (NO BEAR BELLS).
Suggested Gear: hiking poles, bandanna, camera/small binoculars, outdoor “bathroom” kit (toilet paper, plastic bag to carry out used T.P., hand sanitizer, etc.), lightweight pad to sit on, change of socks/footwear for after the hike.
Be Bear Smart! Be prepared with your bear spray and know how to use it. http://www.albertaparks.ca/kananaskis-country/advisories-public-safety/wildlife/be-bear-smart.aspx
Carpools - I do not arrange carpools. Carpooling is the sole decision of the driver due to COVID-19. No one will be forced to carpool due to COVID-19. If you do carpool, I would suggest wearing masks to keep each other safe. Rides can be arranged in the comments section, or via private personal messages. Suggested Gas Fee contribution: $20.00 per person.
WAIVER: You must agree to our online club waiver before you are allowed to go on this trip. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CC9PFMZ Please do not fill out the online waiver until you are on the going list. Filling out the waiver if you are on the waitlist will not give you a spot on the going list.
Disclaimer: You are fully aware that your hosts are volunteers and not trained guides and you assume all responsibility for your own safety and well-being. All participants are responsible for assessing the current road and weather conditions, your current physical condition, current trail and avalanche conditions for the trip. You are fully prepared with proper gear and you're physically fit to do this hike with the group.