Jasper Hike to Raise Funds for ALS - Sat, Sep 20 2008

Jasper Hike to Raise Funds for ALS (9/20/2008)

PRE-REGISTRATION 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 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:

Hike

Event Location:

Jasper

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Sep 20 2008 11:00 AM

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Sep 19 2008 6:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

3-4 hours

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

Bryan W.
Ryan
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Member Cost:

Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, All - DO NOT USE

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

13 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - also commonly known as Lou Gherig's Disease - is a horrible human disease in which motor neurons required for movement are destroyed, leading to paralysis and death within 1 to 5 years.

ALS strikes about 6 people per 100,000 per year. Between 1,500 and 2,000 people in Canada currently have ALS. Although it most commonly occurs between the ages of 40 and 70, it can also occur in older people, and rarely in teenagers.

Research into ALS is on-going, and significant breakthrough's have been made. For example, a team of French and Canadian scientists recently identified a gene that is responsible for a large fraction of ALS cases. There is hope that further research will lead to treatments for ALS.

We will participate in a hike to raise funds to support the work of the ALS Society of Alberta.

Most people who make it to top of The Whistlers take the easy way: the Whistlers Tram. Obviously, we will not be doing that! This will be a challenging day-hike that will test your endurance, as it involves 1250 m elevation gain over 7.9 km (with multiple switch-backs as the grade gets steeper). We will be rewarded with a chance to hike through three distinct life zones (montane, subalpine and alpine). And the top of the mountain provides us not only with fantastic views but also with refreshments and a restaurant. Those who wish to do so can turn around and hike back down the same way they came. However, most of us will likely choose to take the tram back down.

Fundraising info: Please visit our webpage on the ALS Society website to find out how to submit donations to this cause.

Accommodation info: We are organizing a full weekend excursion to Jasper, with accommodation at the Mt. Edith Cavell hostel. However, this event is open to anyone who is interested in participating, even if you are not attending the full weekend trip. If you would like to join us but are not staying at Mt. Edith Cavell, you will be responsible for your own accommodations.

Required Items to Bring:
Water
Lunch and snacks
Good hiking footwear
Weather-appropriate clothing
National Parks pass or money for entry

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Sunscreen
Warm (fleece) sweater
Gloves/mitts, hat
Hiking poles
Waterproof jacket
$$$ for refreshments at summit
$$$ for tram ride down from summit

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

From Jasper townsite: Follow Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) south 1.8 km from the junction with the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) to the Whistlers Road. Follow Whistlers Road 2.7 km to a gravel access road branching left. Continue 300 m to trailhead parking area.

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.

Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

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