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- Sarrail Ridge Snowshoe (OT5)Esso, Kananaskis, AB
I’m eager to put away the snowshoes but mother nature has other ideas. Another 20-40cm of snow is expected in the mountains this week. So we’ll do a snowshoe trip to Sarrail Ridge. We’ll be taking the east ridge approach to avoid the avalanche hazard on the traditional route. We will start on the Rawson Lake trail which should be well packed. We’ll turn right before the lake and bushwhack up the east ridge. There is unlikely to be any packed trail on this section. (Photo Credit – Vern Dewit)
We’ll stop at the Pocaterra warming hut on the return for our usual tailgate.
Snow shoes and micro-spikes are mandatory.
🌲 Distance: 9 km
🌲 Elevation gain: 900 meters
🌲 Time: 6 hours + driving
🌲 Max Group Size: 12 (No children, No Pets, No guests)
🌲 Difficulty: OT5 routes usually encounter short sections of scree (small loose rocks on low angle slopes). Rock outcrops can usually be negotiated without the use of hands. Occasional exposure to heights is to be expected. Sturdy boots with an aggressive tread (such as Vibram) are best for this type of trip. Example: Opal Ridge🌲 Meeting Location: The Esso/Tims parking lot near the Stoney Nakoda Lodge at 8:30. From there we will convoy the 50 minutes to the trailhead at the Upper Kananaskis lake parking area.
🌲 Descriptive Links:
https://www.explor8ion.com/2014/12/31/rawson-lake-ridge/
Weather: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Northover/forecasts/2000
Alltrails Route: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/sarrail-ridge-east-ridge-approach-cd89fef🌲 There is a waitlist. If we have not hiked together before, please answer the question regarding your hiking experience. The waitlist for this event is not first come, first serve, but based on ability to fit into the group to make the hike enjoyable for everyone.
🌲 We move at a steady pace with short breaks for delayering, relayering, photos & bio breaks..
🌲 Required gear:
- snowshoes
- hiking boots
- micro-spikes
- water
- lunch / snacks
- hat / gloves
- technical clothing (no cotton, no jeans)
- rain coat & hood
- personal first aid kit, toilet kit🌲 Suggested gear:
- bear spray
- bug spray, tick tweezers
- gaiters
- hand and foot warmers
- light pad to sit on
- trekking poles
- sunscreen, hat, sunglasses🌲 If you wish to carpool, you are welcome to use to comment section to make arrangements.
🌲 If you have not already done so, please read the Slow and Steady Code of Conduct here: https://www.meetup.com/slow-and-steady-hikers/messages/boards/thread/53768844
🌲 WAIVER: You must sign our club waiver before you are allowed to go on this trip and you shall arrive prepared with an emergency name and phone number to be recorded on the waiver. Organizer will have a group waiver for you to sign at the trailhead. You are required to read the Slow and Steady Hiker Club Waiver: https://www.meetup.com/slow-and-steady-hikers/messages/boards/thread/53768842
🌲 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.
- Priddis backroads bike ride (easy-moderate)Priddis Community Hall, Priddis, AB
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 participant not being allowed on this trip. If the organizer deems it necessary to obtain additional information from you, please provide it, otherwise you will remain on the waiting list. As a potential participant, you must check this trip posting for additional directions from the organizer, including up to trip cancellation.
🌲Trip Description
We will bike paved backroads in the Priddis area, doing a loop or figure 8. May involve a short (0.8 km) section along Hwy 22 * (possibly bypassed on a dirt track / gravel road) and a 2.5 km section of gravel road. Will also involve two 1.5 km sections along Plummers Road *.
* narrow paved shoulders- Distance: about 30 km round trip
- Elevation gain: about 300 meters (there are a few long steep hills)
- Time on your tail: about 3 hours
- Group size: 12 maxThe event may be cancelled or postponed (on short notice) in the event of poor weather (wind, rain, snow) conditions. There may be remnant snow/ice/wet sections that we will need to cross.
Weather Forecast
🌲 Required Gear
- any kind of bike (note: gravel road section)
- helmet
- water
- lunch / snacks
- gloves
- technical clothing (no cotton, no jeans)
- rain coat / rain pants
- spare inner tube, patch kit, pump and any related tools
- personal first aid kit
🌲 Suggested Gear
- sunscreen
- sunglasses
- headband or hat
🌲 Carpooling
If you wish to carpool, it is at your discretion. You can use the Comments section (below) or Direct Messaging to arrange a ride. Please review the Carpooling Etiquette and be considerate of your driver’s vehicle (bring a change of shoes and a bag for wet/dirty footwear). The suggested gas fee contribution for this event is $10.
🌲 Signup
A Waiting List has been created for this event. You can either a) provide by direct message to the organizer, 1: your emergency contact's name and phone number, and 2: state your acceptance of the S&S Club risk waiver, or b) fill out the waiver (see below) at the meetup location.Attendance is at the discretion of the organizer, and is not on a first-come-first-served basis. You must answer all of the RSVP questions in order to be moved to the Going list.
Please remove yourself from the event if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness on or immediately prior to the event date.
🌲 Waiver
You are required to read and sign the Slow and Steady Hikers Club Waiver before being allowed to go on this trip. The event organizer will have a copy of the group waiver for you to sign at the meetup location and/or trailhead. You shall arrive prepared with your emergency contact's name and phone number, to be recorded thereon.
🌲 Group Dynamic
We will generally stick together as a group. Participants are expected to wait for each other at the top of hills, junctions, etc. If you have not already done so, please read the Slow and Steady Code of Conduct.
🌲 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 road, weather, trail and avalanche conditions for the trip, as well as assessing their own current physical condition. You are fully prepared with proper gear and you're physically fit enough to complete this event with the group.