D4: Elbow Lake/Piper Pass

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE DESCRIPTION BEFORE SIGNING UP!

I AM NOT A GUIDE AND THIS IS NOT A GUIDED TOUR!

Elbow Lake and Piper Pass

Distance: 19.2 km (roundtrip)

Elevation gain: 617 m

Time: 8-10 hours

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate trail. High potential for off trail and bushwhacking. Long distance with some uphill and downhill hiking.

I have never done this trip before. We will be relying on maps and guide books for navigation. Please be prepared to assist with navigation.

Skill level: For fit hikers (Not recommended for beginners).

Pace: Slow to Moderate (If you're looking for an Olympic decathlon, you're in the wrong trip).

Safety: Bear and cougar encounters possible

Trail Conditions: Unknown

Weather Conditions: Unknown

Location: Kananaskis country, Highway 40

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/907770139_081aee9272.jpg

We will need drivers. Please indicate in your RSVP comments whether or not you can drive if necessary and how many you can bring in. The current RSVP is limited to 8.

Mandatory Gear

• Sturdy hiking boots -- no runners, casual, approach style shoes or such (We ain't going up for a tap dance).

• Breathable and warm clothing (Windproof, Polartec or Gortex jackets are recommended. Bring your winter clothes! Mountain weather is quite unpredictable, so be prepared for that).

-- No cotton! It is one of the biggest no-go's of all kinds of outdoor activities. If you get wet wearing cotton and the weather is windy, even in 15 C, you might end up getting hypothermia and it has dire consequences.

• 2.5 litres of water (minimum).

• Lunch and snacks

• Sunglasses

• Trail map (Gem Trek Kananaskis Lakes, guide book or a print out of a web trail guide for the trip (see trailpeak.com or everytrail.com)

Recommended

• Camera

• Gaiters

• Hat/Cap

• Sunscreen

• Bear Spray

• Hiking Poles

• Extra pair of clothes as you might want to change in the parking space after the trip.

Event Participation

CORA trips start at the trailhead; but as a favour to our participants, we will carpool in town at the specified meetup place (i.e. Dalhousie LRT Station). The event host(s) hold the right to remove you from the trip or add you into the trip from the waiting list depending on transportation readiness, previous hiking experience, and commitment to the CORA events. Don't be surprised, and then go on flaming the event host(s) if you are moved to the 'waiting list' or 'not attending' list. This is nothing personal.

Please be on time in the meetup place, as we won't be waiting for you more than 15 minutes.

If you become unable to attend or change your mind after saying "YES" in the RSVP, please let the organizers know about this 48 hours before the event. If you cancel your RSVP without a 'really juicy story' (involving UFO abductions, bear kidnapping, Metallica concert), I may not take you on my future trips. This is not a dating service; either you are committed or you are not. Be courteous to those waiting to attend. If you don't let me know, I'll record you as 'no show.'

Dogs: on leash

Costs

Members are free. Non-members fee is $5.

If you want to become a member of CORA, the annual fee is $20.

If you are not driving, please contribute some gas $$ money for drivers ($10 give or take).

Trip Waiver and Conditions

You must sign a trip waiver to attend to this event even if you are a paid member. Here is the waiver you are expected to sign:

http://files.meetup.com/1575023/TRIP%20WAIVER-June2012.pdf

Rules of Conduct (clickable): By participating in this CORA activity, you automatically agree to follow the CORA Rules of Conduct. Please read them by clicking here. (https://www.meetup.com/Calgary-Outdoor-Recreation-Association-CORA/pages/Rules_of_Conduct/)