Backpacking/Camping Weekend - Siffleur Falls - Fri, May 17 2013, Sat, May 18 2013, Sun, May 19 2013

Backpacking/Camping Weekend - Siffleur Falls (5/17/2013)

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The Basics:

Event Type:

Overnight

Event Location:

David Thompson Country, west of Nordegg, Alberta

Date(s) & Time:

Fri, May 17 2013, Sat, May 18 2013, Sun, May 19 2013 5:00 PM (Carpool Departure: 5:30 PM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Sun, May 12 2013 11:55:00 PM

Event Duration:

2 days

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

LarryL
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Member Cost:

Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Note:You must have backpacking experience acknowledged by the coordinator or have completed at least 2 backpack conditioning hikes and attended a pre-hike equipment meeting to qualify.

The pre-hike meeting will be held on Monday May 13 immediately following the final conditioning hike at the Fort Edmonton area (watch for posting on the calendar) You must attend or make prior arrangements with the coordinator if unable to attend.

You will be placed on the waiting list until the coordinator has verified your qualifications
This is an entry level back pack of approx. 11kms one way with some, but limited, elevation gains and losses

We will drive out to the Nordegg area and either random camp along the Abraham Lake or stay in the Shunda Creek Hostel on the Friday night before leaving for the trail head Saturday morning. Details will follow closer to departure date. The May long weekend is often booked solid at the hostel so there may not be room.

If you wish to stay at the hostel the evening before the hike, please make your own booking. I plan on car camping the on the Friday evening barring inclement weather.

As a first chance to do some backpacking and camping this year, I would like to hike to The third falls of the Siffler River and to an area just outside the wilderness protected area where camping is not allowed and into the area where random camping is allowed. This hike is located in the Bighorn Backcountry region near Nordegg.

The hiking trail that we will follow to begins at the Siffler Falls Parking lot approximately 65kms west of Nordegg on the David Thompson Hiway and follows the Siffler river up past three waterfalls and into a seldom traveled wilderness area. A basic map of the first 4 kms of the trail route is available here. It should take us 2-3 hours to hike up to the the big Falls, where we will rest and snack for a while before continuing on to the camp area.
On Saturday we will attempt some survival skills such as fire starting and shelter building as well as a day hike up river in search of a ford across the river.
On Sunday, we will hike back to our cars the same way that we came and maybe stop at another site along the highway. The total distance we will hike with full packs will be approximately 22 km over 2 days.

As this trip will be relatively early in the season, it is highly likely that the trail may still be partially covered in snow, and that the temperatures will be cool. Please ensure that you bring clothing appropriate to the weather conditions.
There is no back country commode or outhouse at this location, be prepared for digging your own "kitty" hole.

You can look at photos of the area and a map but the description has a few flaws. We will need to travel a little further than the camp area that this article describes because it is still in the protected area and it is not legal to camp there.

Please let me know whether you have cooking utensils and a tent, and if you have any preferences for cooking/tenting partners.

Required Items to Bring:
No Cotton hiking clothing will be allowed
Money for carpool and meals to and from Nordegg as required
Hiking boots
Backpack (45 litres or larger)
Lightweight Sleeping Bag
Clothing appropriate for temperatures between -10C and +20C
Food/snacks
Eating/cooking utensils
Please refer to the EOC's full checklist for backpacking.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Camp-stove
Tent
Bear spray
Hiking poles
Camera
micro-spikes for icy sections

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

We will park our cars near the Siffler Falls trailhead, located 65 km west of Nordegg on Highway 11.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

712Km

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 $206.48 (calculated at total Km * $0.29, effective Wednesday, May 1, 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:

- I am expecting participants to share cooking equipment and tents. Please let me know whether you have cooking utensils and a tent, and if you have any preferences for cooking/tenting partners.
- 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!