Egypt Lake Hut Winter Camping Trip - Sat, Oct 29 2016, Sun, Oct 30 2016

Egypt Lake Hut Winter Camping Trip (10/29/2016)

PRE-REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. You will then make your payment for this event at the venue, NOT in advance to the EOC.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:
Event Type:Overnight
Event Location: Banff National Park
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Oct 29 2016, Sun, Oct 30 2016  7:00 AM
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Oct 25 2016 12:00:00 PM
Event Duration:2 days
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced
Event Coordinator(s): Beata
Ryan
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Member Cost:$25.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 18 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:2
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 6 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
This event will be a snowshoe (or hike) into the Egypt Lake campground, where we will be staying overnight at the Egypt Lake Shelter. Our preference is to be on snowshoes, but if there is insufficient snow accumulation then it will be a hike.

Registration Instructions:Traveling in the backcountry, particularly in the winter, does have significant hazards, and accordingly we will be pre-screening members to ensure that they have the capability to participate in a trip of this nature. If you would like to attend, first add your name to the waiting list for the event. Then, send Betty and Ryan an email, outlining your previous hiking experience. Please also let us know whether there is any shared gear (e.g. water purifiers, backpacking stoves, emergency supplies for the group, etc.) that you are able to bring along on the trip.

The Egypt Lake hut, where we will stay, can accommodate up to 12 people. A booking for 6 people has been confirmed; expanding the group size may be possible, assuming that other people have not booked the hut with Parks Canada.

Trip Plan:We will be following a route that takes us along the Redearth Creek and Pharoah Creek trails to reach Egypt Lake. This is a 20 km trail (with 595 m of elevation gain), and we should expect the hike in to take 5-6 hours to complete. Our aim is to leave early to ensure that we arrive at the shelter before dark, but it is very important that everyone brings a headlamp/flashlight in case unforseen circumstances mean that it takes us longer than anticipated to reach the shelter.

Day 1 (Sat. Oct. 29): We suggest that everyone arrives in the Banff/Canmore area on Friday night. We will help everyone sort out ride-sharing arrangements, but anyone heading to Canmore/Banff on Friday will have to sort out their own accomodations amongst themselves.

A map showing our route is available here. We will be following the Redearth Creek trail for the first 10.5 km, passing the Lost Horse Creek Campground at the 7 km mark, and gaining 335 m of elevation over this stretch. The Redearth Creek trail will intersect with the Pharoah Creek trail, which will take us the rest of the way to Egypt Lake. The Pharoah Creek trail will take us back and forth across Pharoah Creek, and we will pass the Pharoah Creek campground at the 14.7 km mark.

Day 2 (Sun. Oct. 30): Our hike out will be the same route as our hike in. However, we expect the trip out to take less time than the trip in, as the journey out will be entirely downhill.

Where we’ll stay: We'll be staying at the Egypt Lake shelter. This shelter is one of two public trail shelters available in Banff National Park that are managed by Parks Canada. Expect accommodations in the shelter to be basic – the shelter has two sleeping rooms with wooden platforms, a common cooking area, and it is heated by a wood stove. We’ll have access to an axe and an ample wood supply, an outhouse, and a grey water disposal system.

As a group, we’ll need to bring:
  • A water purifier (Ryan can bring one) – there is a nearby creek where we can collect drinking water
  • Stoves for cooking food (Ryan will bring his stove).
  • Other communal supplies – potentially food (if the group would like to share a meal, perhaps on Saturday night), supplies for the outhouse (ie. toilet paper and hand sanitizer)
  • Tents - although our plan is to stay overnight in the hut, we will also carry tents that can be used for overnight shelter in case of an emergency.

    Everyone will have to bring a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad, as well as clothing, food, flashlights, and other supplies.

    • Required Items to Bring:
    Snowshoes
    Traction devices for boots (in case we are hiking)
    30-45 L backpack
    Sleeping bag
    Sleeping pad
    Clothing appropriate for hiking in winter conditions
    Headlamp
    National park pass or money for entry
    Food    		Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
    Water purifier
    Backpacking stove
    Camera
    Tent - please let us know if you can provide one (only to be used in case of emergency)
    Emergency blanket
    Compass
    Hiking poles/ski poles

    How to Get There:
    Event Directions:From Edmonton: travel south on Hwy 2 to Calgary, then travel west on Hwy 1 into Banff National Park.

    Shortly after passing Banff, exit to the Redearth Creek Parking area. The access road will be reached shortly after passing the Sunshine Village access road; a road that crosses over Hwy 1 will provide access from westbound lanes to the parking area. The Redearth Creek parking area is located 20 km after Banff and 10.5 km prior to reaching the Hwy 93 turnoff.


    Notes:

    - We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines at all times while participating in EOC events.
    - Please scroll through and read the entire online waiver when you sign up.
    - Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.

    Cost & Payment:
    Member Cost:$25.00/Person
    Cost Includes:Overnight accomodation at the Egypt Lake shelter. A portion of the $25 per person will also be used to pay for the cost of renting emergency supplies for the group, including an emergency locator beacon. Please make arrangements with Ryan to pay for the trip costs.
    Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the EOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

    Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
    Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!