Beginner Backcountry Trip

BEGINNERS ONLY PLEASE

This is an easy instructional trip for people to learn the basics of backcountry camping and get some hands on experience. Please sign up for the waitlist, and I will move people to 'Going' by this weekend. I'm doing this because priority will be given to people who attended the previous lessons in the park.

This will be a weekend backpacking trip in Queen Elizabeth Wildlands provincial park, starting from the Devil's Lake access point. There will be no fees other than splitting gas with the driver if you carpool.

We will be meeting in the parking lot at the end of Devil's Lake Road at 11-11:30 AM on Saturday, with the goal to be on the trail by noon. There are no garbage cans or washrooms there, so throw out any food waste from the trip up in Norland. This is bear country, so you shouldn't leave any food or empty food containers in the car.

The emphasis for this trip will be learning camping skills, so we should only be walking about 3.5k into the park. Note that the trails along this section of the Ganaraska may be rougher than what many people are used to, but I see this as a chance to learn how to handle common terrain features. Trekking poles are recommended, but not required.

Everyone will need to bring their own equipment, as well as 3-4 meals plus snacks. Some equipment can be shared between two or more people, but if in doubt you should assume nobody else is bringing an item. The last words you ever want to hear on a trip are 'Wait, I thought you were bringing the toilet paper!'. Also, for certain items redundancy is never a bad thing.

I will add an equipment checklist later.

If anyone is sharing a tent or bringing a hammock instead, please let me know and I may allow more people. Normally due to possibly limited space for tents, the RSVP limit is usually more of a shelter limit.

A few reminders about gear:

• Some campsites have a thunderbox, most don't. Catholing may be required. Bring a trowel.

• For food storage bring the necessary equipment for a proper food hang, or an approved bear canister. At the very least you'll need a stuff sack and a way to clip it to someone else's line.

• It may get a bit chilly at night, pack accordingly. This includes a sleeping bag with a comfort (not extreme) rating for the conditions, and a sleeping pad with at least a 1.8 R value if the overnight forecast reaches 5C. We'll know more closer to the date.

• Please note that cans and glass containers are not allowed in provincial parks.

*** IMPORTANT ***

Due to Meetup's continual changes to focus the site on mobile devices, I can no longer reliably see discussion posts on an event page. If you have any questions, please message me directly through the site.

By RSVPing, you agree that you are responsible for your own health & safety and that you will not do anything to endanger the health & safety of others!