Mt. Yamnuska Shoulder Hike and Scree Run - Sat, Mar 13 2010

Mt. Yamnuska Shoulder Hike and Scree Run (3/13/2010)

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:

Hike

Event Location:

Near Canmore

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Mar 13 2010 7:00 AM

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Mar 11 2010 6:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

Long Day - 5 hour hike + travel

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Event Coordinator(s):

Brent S (Polé Polé)
Rhonda S
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

$70.00/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:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Elevation Gain: Approx. 700m for scree run only (500 actual, 700 including ups and downs)
Distance: 9 km or so

From the gravel parking we will hike along the road through the rock quarry until we reach the trailhead. From here we will turn right and head up to the base of the cliff. We will hike around the front of the cliff and run the scree. What does that mean, you ask? Well, you've probably seen Mt. Yamnuska before... it's the one with that great big cliff - one of the first mountains heading west on Highway 1. See the scree slope beneath the cliff? We run down that, and as we go, the scree moves and creates sliding "shelves" beneath our feet creating a very exciting thrilling run. It's an amazing experience. The scariest part of this trip is walking along the steep slope in front of the cliff to get to the scree - it can be steep and slippery.

NOTE that we are absolutely NOT going to be summiting Yamnuska, or doing any part of the back-side of the mountain, including the scramble portion.

Mountaineering helmets are required for ALL ATTENDEES. We will stop at the University together AFTER CARPOOL to get our helmets. These are required for walking in front of the cliff... you know... the whole "rocks falling on your head" thing. :)

Cliff Clavin Says: Yamnuska is the first and most prominent mountain at the easternmost edge of the Front Ranges. The imposing cliffs of Yamnuska (according to this source, an Assiniboine word for "sharp cliff" or "sheer-faced rock") are composed of carbonate rocks of the Cambrian Eldon Formation, which are about 525 million years old. The lower slopes of the mountain are formed from Cretaceous shale and siltstone strata of the Belly River Formation, about 75 million years old. The contact between these two formations is the McConnell Thrust.

A climb to the base of the cliff will bring you to the fault, where you can actually see the fracture between the two formations and stick your hand in it.

Yamnuska is the climbers' name for the south-facing cliff of Mount John Laurie, seen prominently on the right as one approaches the mountains from Calgary. According to tribal spokesman Felix Poucette, the name derives from the Stoney words eeam, meaning "mountain," and naska, meaning "flat."

Required Items to Bring:
- Good pair of hiking boots/shoes is a must.
- A Mountaineering Helmet (ie not a cycling helmet) is also a must.
* If you do not have these items, you will not be allowed to attend.
- You won't be turned away without gaiters, but they are HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended.
- $ to rent your mountaineering helmet ($4 from OPC: http://www.calgaryoutdoorcentre.ca/gear_rentals/mountaineeri ng_rentals)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- Gaiters (for the little pebbles that will sneek into your boots on the scree descent)
- Hiking Poles (these are a personal preference. The coordinators do not use them for this trip - they find them to be a hindrance for the scree run, but it doesn't hurt much to bring them along)
- Stabilicers or microspikes for walking across the clay slope to get to the scree. Not necessary... and I'm not positive that they'd be useful... but if you're finding the slope difficult to navigate, you might be really happy to have them along.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Meet at South Edmonton Common, Near The Keg at 7:00 for an on-time departure no later than 7:15. This means departing at 7:15 AFTER you've loaded your gear... not breezing in at 7:15. Ben has strict instructions to leave by 7:15 at the very latest - Brent and Rhonda will not be there - we'll be meeting you in Calgary. Look for Ben's Mountain Madness Tours van in the parking lot on the south side of The Keg, facing IKEA.

From South Edmonton Common, Ben will take you south to Calgary, where you'll convene with the COC group at Brentwood LRT station by 11:00 AT THE LATEST. We'll all go together as a group to get helmet rentals from the Outdoor Program Center.

You'll then continue the journey to Mt. Yamnuska, as follows: Head west out of Calgary on the Trans Canada. Take Hwy 1X north towards Seebe, which connects you onto the 1A. Double back on the 1A towards Calgary. 2.1 km past the Hwy 1X Junction turn left onto Quarry Road and park at the gate.

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:

$70.00/Person

Cost Includes:

Transportation in Ben's van, to and from Mt. Yamnuska. BRING CASH TO PAY BEN DIRECTLY AT THE MEETING LOCATION BEFORE DEPARTURE

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!