Fri, May 19 2006, Sat, May 20 2006, Sun, May 21 2006, Mon, May 22 2006 - Hiking Weekend in Nordegg - HI-Shunda Creek Hostel (View Original Event Details)
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Everyone was excited to get out of the city this weekend and forget all about work!
The group arrived at various times Friday evening and settled into 2 rooms of 4 people each. The Shunda Creek Hostel is a small and quaint hostel located an hour and a half West of Red Deer. Although it offers the traditional rustic settings of a hostel (bunk beds, shared bathrooms, common room and kitchen) the hostel is extremely well organized, clean and accommodating to all types of groups, including families with children.
Saturday morning everyone was eager to get out into the mountains. Around 10 am we set out to climb Baldy. The hike started with a 4km drive, bringing us about halfway up the mountain. The other 4 km were on a well defined road, also used by ATVs, and consisted of a steady climb to the top. After 1.5 hours, the 400m elevation was below us and the surrounding views made the effort well worth it. Visiting the fire lookout was an added bonus and offered even better views of the surrounding area. The highlight of lunch was Joe, the fire lookout warden, who kept us entertained with stories of fighting forest fires.
Upon returning to the hostel most of the group headed back out to do an easy hike up to Crescent Falls, whereas some of us (i.e.: the coordinator) considered the hike up to their bunk more than enough after Baldy. The evening consisted of cards, games and lots of laughing.
Sunday was another hiking day for most and a tougher mountain was found to climb. The group came back exhausted but elated with many a story for those that did not make the hike. After the hot tub (oh yeah, life is rough out here in the wilderness) we all pitched in for an awesome potluck dinner with way too much food!
Monday was the sad day as it was our last and we squeezed a hike around gold eye lake and then departing back to our homes.
Everyone had a great time and the group got along wonderfully. I am really looking forward to setting up more of these weekend getaways and seeing you all again (rhmMalignehmrh).
Thanks all
(And thanks to Sarah for teaching me Poi!)
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