Bryant Creek overnight x-country ski trip - Wed, Dec 16 2009, Thu, Dec 17 2009, Fri, Dec 18 2009, Sat, Dec 19 2009

Bryant Creek overnight x-country ski trip (12/16/2009)

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. After you sign up at the bottom, you will be presented with information about how to pay. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.

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:

Wed, Dec 16 2009, Thu, Dec 17 2009, Fri, Dec 18 2009, Sat, Dec 19 2009 5:30 PM (Carpool Departure: 5:30 PM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, Dec 9 2009 10:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

4 days & 3 nights

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Event Coordinator(s):

Jeff S
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

$68.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

PLEASE NOTE: This is an overnight x-country ski trip into a backcountry shelter (hut) operated by Parks Canada in Banff Nat'l Park. This trip is ONLY for x-country skiers who can ski at an intermediate level or more and have experience in the backcountry (either summer or winter)!! You must be capable and confident while skiing on backcountry trails. You must also be comfortable skiing while carrying a full pack with all your gear including overnight gear. In fact, the only item not to be taken will be your tent. Water is plentiful on this trip as we follow the creek all the way. The shelter is less than 20m from the creek. Note for drivers: The Smith Dorrien Road is a gravel road and can be both snowy and icy so proper care will need to be taken. Should you have any questions regarding this trip, please contact me. I have done this trip on multiple occasions and am familiar with the trail, terrain, and shelter.

Stoves & fuel: It is not necessary that each member bring their own stove and fuel for this trip. In fact, I would like to have at least 3 stoves, maybe 4 along with fuel. When signing up for this event, PLEASE indicate in the notes section if you have a 4-season stove to use and share.

Food: You will need 1 breakfast for Thursday morning at the hostel and 2 breakfasts at the shelter. You will need 3 lunches which will be eaten on the trail. Plan 2 suppers both of which will be at the shelter for Thursday and Friday evenings. For Wednesday supper, either have a quick bite before departure at 5:30pm or bring a brown bag supper to go. You may also prepare a late meal at the hostel in Canmore. Plan for a 10pm arrival. Saturday, expect a stop at Boston Pizza in Cochrane. Please bring any appropriate snacks as well.

Now for the fun stuff. We will meet at our carpool spot and head for Canmore and stay at theHostel Bear. We will spend the night at the hostel. Next day (Thursday), we will drive south to the Mt Shark trailhead in Kananaskis, along the Smith Dorrien road. We will ski into Banff Park to the Bryant Creek shelter. This is 14km. The terrain is easy going except for one rather steep hill at about the 5km point. The trail is usually good. We will break for lunch and snacks along the way. Temperatures will dictate the length and frequency of our breaks. Expect about 5-6 hours to reach the shelter. We will spend the first of two nights at the shelter. We will enjoy the evening with supper, conversation, games, and a nice fire. The next day (Friday), we will do a day trip and continue up the Bryant Creek trail towards Assiniboine Pass which is the boundry between Banff and BC's Assiboine Provincial Park. Our goal will be the pass and should time allow, maybe a bit beyond. It will be about 10km return from Assiniboine Pass to the shelter. NOTE: the final section of trail leading up to the pass is steep with switchbacks which is not too bad going up but can be very tricky coming down!! While most parties do use touring skis and skins at this point, it is still doable for confident and intermediate level x-country skiers. It usually requires a bit of a top-up of grip wax if using waxable skis. We will return to the shelter for the night. Our final day (Saturday), will be our 14km ski out to our vehicles and our eventual return to Edmonton. Depending on the group, we may take a detour and ski into Marvel Lake. Expect a dinner stop along the way and a late arrival in Edmonton.

Regarding the carpool: We will meet at the carpool location. If you are not a designated driver for this trip, you must provide your own means of getting to the carpool spot, i.e. public transportion, taxi, or have a family member/friend drop you off. There will be no arrangements for rides or pickups to the carpool for this event.

For a reference and more information on the Bryant Creek shelter, you may consult this site with Parks Canada

Required Items to Bring:
-x-country ski gear (skis, boots, poles)
-appropriate ski wax as needed
-sleeping pad
-sleeping bag (minimum of minus 12 celius)
-cooking gear (stove, fuel, utensils)
-food including appropriate snacks
-appropriate clothing
-flashlight or headlamp
-money (park entry fees, carpool, and other food stops)
-

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
-hut booties / slippers
-thermos with hot liquids i.e. tea, hot chocolate
-touring gear with skins

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Hwy 2 south to Calgary. Hwy 1 west to Canmore. Smith Dorrien road south from Canmore to Mt Shark trailhead in Kananaskis.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

900Km

Carpool Departure Time:

5:30 PM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

The event coordinator(s) will help you to arrange a centralized carpool if you require it, but it's not guaranteed. Please DO NOT pay your driver en route. Passengers will pay the coordinator, and he/she will distribute the money to the carpool drivers. SO PLEASE BRING CASH!!! Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $261.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.29, effective Sunday, April 28, 2024). This is based on $0.09/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divided by 9. This cost will be multiplied by the number of carpooled cars, and divided by the number of carpool participants.

Notes:

- Registration is NOT COMPLETE until you've signed up and paid by the registration cut off date. The money must be in the EOC's possession by that date. No exceptions.
- When a minimum group size appears, this is to let you know that the event will be cancelled with refunds to those who have already paid, if the minimum number of registered participants is not met. For any events where EOC needs a minimum number of participants, there will be absolutely no refunds of money if you cancel.
- 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:

$68.00/Person

Cost Includes:

One night stay at the hostel, two nights stay at the Bryant Creek Shelter, two nights backcountry wilderness passes plus applicable reservation costs.

Payment Cut Off:

Payment must be received by the EOC on Wed, Dec 9 2009.

Make a Payment:

Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

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

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