Slow and Steady Hikers

This is a premiere Banff hike according to the folks who wrote “Don’t waste your time in the Canadian Rockies”. I partially completed this 4 years ago and the scenery is incredible with 28 km of trail at high elevation. I had to cancel this hike in June due to snow. Hopefully the weather will be good this time but I will cancel if it turns bad. Distance: 60 km return, Elevation: 1768 meters, Duration 4 days, 3 nights (Day 1: Fish Lakes, Day 2: Devon Lakes, Day 3: Fish Lakes, Day 4: out) What to expect: my terrible jokes, some mosquitoes, some bushwhacking, below zero nights, rain/snow/blazing sun and river crossings. Hope for the best, plan for the worst. There are no bear lockers or poles at Devon Lakes, it's random camping. Your food must be stored in a bear proof container. Pace: This trip will be done at a steady (not slow), moderate pace with occasional stops. Additional trail information: https://hikebiketravel.com/best-hikes-in-banff-north-molar-pass-and-fish-lakes/ COVID-19: If you have it, might have it or been around people who had it, stay home. CARPOOLING: I can take 3 in my van, gas fee waived if you have a park pass. Carpool location TBA but most likely Petro Canada at 1 & 22. Meeting times: 8:00 am at carpool location or 10:00 am at Mosquito Creek trailhead. Dogs are allowed but are your responsibility and Park Canada wants them leashed. I'd suggest leaving Fido at home for this one. ***Members only, No Guests, No Kids*** Group size will be 3 plus organizer. I have 2 spots open. Should anyone decide to sign up there is an automatic waiting list and preference is given to those who signed up in June or I've hiked with before. You MUST answer my questions. I'll do my best to confirm your attendance by Sep 13th. Approx. cost: $32/person plus $25 gas contribution. Cancellation/refunds: as per Park Canada policy Required Gear: appropriate footwear, head light, warm layers for the evening/night, gloves, hat, personal-sized first aid kit, TP/tissues, cooking gear, tent, sleeping bag & pad, food for four days. Suggested Gear: Hiking poles, gaiters, snacks, something to sit on, and something to enjoy at the end of the day. WAIVER: As per the new policy for waivers, the waiver form will be signed at the trailhead. You must sign it before you will be allowed to go on this event. You will also be asked for the name and phone number of an emergency contact. Please come prepared with this information. https://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/10950922/OUR_NEW_WAIVER/ You are fully aware that organizers are not professional guides and you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being. You are fully prepared with proper gear and you're physically fit to do this event with the group. If you have not already done so, please read the Slow and Steady Code of Conduct: http://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/CODE_OF_CONDUCT/ Your participation in this event means you have read the waiver and by signing up for this event you have accepted the waiver. If you have stated "no" in your profile you will not be accepted to participate. You are fully aware that organizers are not professional guides and you assume all responsibility 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.

IMPORTANT: COVID-19 rules still apply as cases are rising in Calgary daily. * Avoid Car-pooling or * Arrange your own carpooling if you feel it's safe (mask should be worn). * Keeping Distance of 2m between each others - ALL the time. * If you think you have or have been exposed to the virus, have travelled 14 days prior - Please DO NOT sign up !!!!!! Think about all those around you. Safety first. ************************************************************************* A waiting list has automatically been created to determine this trip’s suitability for you as a potential participant. This is NOT a first come, first serve event & at the discretion of the organizer. With many active cases of Covid-19 I will be very selective to choose right hiking group. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NOTE: * DO NOT sign up if you can't stay with the group! * DO NOT sign up if you are in hurry to get up and down the mountains without some stops (water, scenery, bio, breather breaks etc.) Description: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/saddle-mountain-via-paradise-valley-trail Pace: Moderate/Relaxed Distance: 8.2m Elevation Gain: 658m No dogs, No children NO SPEEDY GONZALES!!!!!! NO TURTLES!!!!! Time: This is all day event ! Don't sign up if you are in Hurry !!. Difficulty: Moderate ************************************************* It is a requirement to read the following trip posting carefully and to make the proper and responsible preparations for it. Failure to do so, will result in participant not allowed on this trip. If the organizer deems it necessary to obtain additional information from you, please provide it, otherwise, you will be moved to the waiting list. As a potential participant, you must check this trip posting for additional directions from the organizer, including up to trip cancellation. We will be hiking at a relaxed pace with rest stops and to enjoy the views, snacks etc. Gear: • Hiking boots are required • Wind/water resistant jacket, gloves, toque • Face mask of your choice ... just in case • Hiking poles if desired • Gaiters • Microspikes • Water/lunch/snacks • BEAR spray (Mandatory) • Smiles !!!!!! CODE OF CONDUCT: By signing up for this hike, you agree to abide by the rules and regulations outlined in the Code of Conduct. https://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/19453923/CODE_OF_CONDUCT/ WAIVER: You must sign our club waiver before you are allowed to go on this trip. You will need to provide an emergency name and phone number to be recorded on the waiver. The organizer will have a group waiver for you to sign at the meetup location and/or the trailhead. You are required to read the Slow and Steady Hiker Club Waiver prior to arriving: http://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/OUR_NEW_WAIVER/ 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 (if applicable) 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.

We will begin our hike with a decent down to Vista Lake. From there we begin the long ascent up to Arnica Lake, a small, beautiful lake beneath the cliffs of Mount Storm. We will continue on past Upper and Lower Twin Lakes and make our way up to enjoy our lunch and the beautiful larches at Gibbon Pass. We will return the same way we hiked in. *A park pass is required for this hike. **This hike is weather dependent and will be rescheduled or cancelled due to inclement weather. Although restrictions related to Covid-19 have relaxed a bit, I prefer to maintain a smaller number of hikers at this time. There will be a maximum of 8-10 people, no carpooling and we will respect physical distancing and hike at least two metres apart. Please do not sign up for this hike if you have any Covid-19 symptoms, have been in contact with anyone with symptoms, or have returned from travel within 2 weeks of this hike. An online waiver will be linked in the comments a day before the hike that all hikers on the “going” list need to be sure to complete. Please read the following trip posting very carefully to ensure this hike is right for you. A 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. As a potential participant you must check this trip posting for additional directions, including up to last minute cancellation. Participation is not first come first served and is at the discretion of the organizer. Distance: ~ 22 km Cumulative elevation gain: ~ 1400 m Time: Approx. 8 - 10 hours plus driving time Physical Difficulty: OT3 - No beginners Event Pace: Moderate. We will hike at a reasonable, steady pace. It is expected that everyone stays together in a group for safety. Please do not sign up for this hike if you are not interested in hiking with the group. Group Size: Maximum 8 - 10. No children or guests. Friendly, on-leash dogs are welcome. Trip Description: https://hike2a.wordpress.com/2017/10/04/gibbon-pass-via-arnicatwin-lakes/ Required Gear: Hiking shoes or boots, microspikes, backpack with lunch, snacks and water, appropriate layers for the temperature, personal first aid kit/medications, bear spray. *park pass Suggested gear: Hiking poles, lightweight pad to sit on, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, bathroom kit. Carpooling: Carpooling will not be arranged for this hike. If you wish to arrange your own carpooling please use the comments section below. Please follow the recommended Covid guidelines of one person per row, and wear a mask. Suggested gas fee contribution is $20. Please be considerate of your driver’s car and bring a change of shoes and plastic bag for dirty footwear. Meetup Location: We will meet at the Vista Lake/Arnica Lake trailhead, approximately 8 km west of Castle Junction on highway 93. Code of Conduct: By signing up for this hike, you agree to abide by the rules and regulations outlined in the Code of Conduct. https://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/19453923/CODE_OF_CONDUCT/ Waiver: You must sign our club waiver before you are allowed to go on this trip. You will need to provide an emergency name and phone number. Due to physical distancing, a link to an online waiver will be provided the day before the hike. You will not be permitted on the hike if you have not completed the online waiver. http://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/OUR_NEW_WAIVER/ Disclaimer: You are fully aware that your organizers 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, weather, trail and avalanche conditions for this trip. You must ensure you are fully prepared with proper gear and you're physically fit to do this hike with the group.

This is a re-post of a hike cancelled due to smoke. Priority will be given to those who booked on the earlier hike. Emerald peak is approached by hiking to Hamilton Lake and then gaining the summit. The route to the summit involves climbing down a chasm, climbing up a tunnel, hopping over a fissure, and some scrambling. The summit offers majestic views of Emerald Lake, Hamilton Lake and the icy summits of the President and Vice President. We will do this hike as an out and back. It can be done as a loop but the downclimb through the avalanche slope is steep and tedious. The out and back is longer but easier. This will be a long day and for those who are interested, we will stop for dinner in Field, BC This hike is weather dependent so I may adjust the date depending on the forecast. The meeting location is the Yoho National Park Visitor Centre in Field, BC where there is cell service and washrooms. From there, we will convoy the remaining 12km to the trailhead at the Emerald Lake Lodge parking lot. There is no cell service at the trailhead. If you wish to carpool, you are welcome to do so. It is recommended that all passengers wear a mask and keep the car capacity at 50% but this is at the discretion of the driver. Suggested gas contribution is $25. I can take 1-2 passengers and do a pickup at the Crowfoot LRT lot. Due to Covid-19 we will respect physical distancing and hike at least 2 metres apart. Please do not sign up for this hike if you have any Covid-19 symptoms, have been in contact with anyone with symptoms, or have returned from travel within 2 weeks of this hike. Distance: 13 km round trip Elevation gain: 1,300 meters Time: 10 hours + driving Group Size: 8 Descriptive Links and Weather: http://bobspirko.ca/OtherScrambles/BC/EmeraldPeak/EmeraldPeak.html https://windsofjane.com/2020/08/10/emerald-peak-hike-in-yoho-national-park-best-views-of-emerald-lake/ Weather: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Burgess/forecasts/2599 Route: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-cee6311--29 There is a waitlist. Please answer the questions to be considered. 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. Pace for this event will be based on keeping the group together. We will be stopping for breaks - photos, delayering, relayering & bathroom breaks. We will not be in a rush. Required gear: - climbing helmet (Mandatory) - hiking boots - water - lunch / snacks - hat / gloves - technical clothing (no cotton, no jeans) - rain coat & hood - personal first aid kit, toilet kit - bag for your muddy boots & change of shoes for keeping vehicles clean Suggested gear: - gloves for scrambling - bear spray - bug spray - light pad to sit on - gaiters - trekking poles - sunscreen - SPOT GPS device No dogs, no children, no guests. If you have not already done so, please read the Slow and Steady Code of Conduct here: http://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/CODE_OF_CONDUCT/ 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: http://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/OUR_NEW_WAIVER/ 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.