CORE: What's New - 2001 Archive

What's New @ CORE - 2001 and Earlier

Due to poor trail conditions at Heally Creek, we will be doing the Bow River Loop at Lake Louis, easy, 6.9km, call Jill
See you on the trails, Isabelle

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Core is having a New Year's Party and Midnight hike in the Weaselhead in Calgary.
The party is being held at Carol and Harvey's place starting at 7:30 pm. It is a potluck and bring your own drinks.

Carol and Harvey

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Subject Last CORE meeting for 2001

On Thursday November 28 at 7:00 P.M. Main Presentation will be a slide-show given by Isabelle on her "Out of Africa Experience" to Mali where Isabelle worked for Crossroads Canada for four months. She'll also be talking about her trekking adventures in Mali.

Introduction by Harvey and Reflections of the 2001 CORE hiking season (2001 CORE: A HIKING ODYSSEY) Hope to see everyone there!!!

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As suggested by a couple of members, we have decided to have a cook-out/weiner roast after the Sulphur Springs hike on Saturday, November 24. The hike should only take 3 - 4 hours so we have time to head to Elbow Falls day use area which has stoves.

Harvey and I can bring some wood so we can build a fire. We will also be bringing a small portable barbecue. We will bring enough weiners and buns for everyone (plus condiments) but if you prefer to cook some other kind of meat (eg. sausages, smokies, shish kabob) please bring what you would like to cook. Also bring your own drinks and snacks if you want them.

From Isabelle - Hi everybody, How does going on a midnight hike or cross-country skiing on New Year's Eve in Banff sound? 2-3 nights in Banff, soaking in the hot springs after a day of fun in the great outdoors.

I have tentatively booked three rooms at the Banff Youth Hostel for CORE, this would mean space for up to 16 people. The rate is $21.00 per person per night, the nights we are looking at are Dec 29,30,&31.

Hi Fellow CORE members, If you have never attended one of CAOC's Gear & Beer Fests, you've missed a good time. This year the fundraiser is happening on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 7 pm at Big Rock Brewery (a really nice facility).

The evening offers a chance to get some great bargains/Christmas presents in the Silent Auction, a light buffet meal, lively music by instellar root cellar (a local band), door prizes, raffles, and, of course, Big Rock Beer.

Tickets are $12 in advance and can be ordered from the Calgary Area Outdoor Council by phoning 270-2262 and charging them to MasterCard or VISA. Or drop into Undercurrents, Altus Mountain Gear and Campers Village for tickets.

If you want to come on my hike to Sulphur Springs earlier that day, rest assured we'll be back in plenty of time to make it to the Gear & Beer! Hope to see you either on the trail or at the Gear & Beer Nov. 24!

Harvey is coordinating a hike to Rimwall Summit in the Spray Lakes area on Oct. 28 Sunday. It is 10 km, 1020 m Elevation gain, approx. 6 hour trip rated at difficult to very difficult, we will be scrambling. A couple of rock bands to go up and down, airy at the top.The hike can be found in Alan Kanes Scrambles in the Rockies rated as Moderate Scrambling.

Do not forget Geoffs hike on Saturday Oct. 27 Nihiahi Ridge, it is a very nice hike with great views from the top. If it there is too much snow on Rimwall we will hike up to the Windtower, which is beside Rimwall. Do not forget the clocks will be changing on that Sunday. This time I will not show up an hour too early for the hike!!!

Sept.4 - Message from Harvey - In regards to the Mount Temple hike, it is describe as a moderate scramble in Alan Kane's Scramble in the Rockies. We will be going into Lake Moraine area and will need a min. of six people on this hike because of Restricted Access means that hikers are legally required to travel in a tight group of six or more to help prevent encounters with bears.

We will meet at 6:30 AM. please do not be late and max # hikers will be ten. It will take approx. 6 hours up and 4 hours down, ten hours total. For the most part it is just a long hike with scree but there is two rock bands where you have to go up and down with hands and feet. As far as equipment you need good boots and warm jacket for the top, you do not need to bring a helmet and/or ice ax it is optional and probable not required.

There may be a little recent snow but it should not be a problem. It is a long hike so bring plenty of water. I have arranged to have a member of the Rocky Mtn. Ramblers to help coordinate this hike because he has done Mount Temple.

"CLOSED: To prevent potential forest fires during this period of extreme fire hazard and to avoid evacuating large numbers of visitors during a possible wildfire all parks, campgrounds, day-use areas and trails in Kananaskis country are closed effective August 30th. The only exceptions to the closure are facilities north of the TransCanada Hwy., Mt. Kidd RV Park, Boundary Ranch, Sundance Lodges, Ribbon Creek Hostel, Kananaskis Golf Courses, Kananaskis Resort Village Hotels, Canmore Nordic Centre Lodge and Bill Warren Training Centre. At these facilities the public is limited to the immediate area of the facility, all trails are closed. For further information on the fire bans and forest closure call 1-866-394-3473. For information on the Kananaskis Country closure call Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre at 403-673-3985 or 1-866-427-3582."

The province has closed a lot of the trails in K-Country to hikers and campers due the fire danger that is rated as extreme in some areas. Don't go hiking until you have checked the trail report and or the hiking trail information centre in the area you plan on hiking in. If the area your interested in hiking in doesn't show any trail closures on their web site, check with them by phone first. CORE hikes in the affected are cancelled. BE SAFE. CALL FIRST.

Have you ever wondered which birds stick around the city in the winter and manage to survive Calgary's freezing temperatures? Come to CORE's August monthly meeting and enjoy a slide show by Val Barnes, a naturalist with the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Val will be giving a presentation on Calgary's winter birds - how they adapt to the cold temperatures, and find food and shelter. For those who like to feed the birds in the winter she'll be able to give you tips on how to do this. Her talk will be from 7:00 to 7:45 so please arrive a little before 7:00 if possible.

For those coming on the Iceline hike this Saturday, the drive from Calgary is approximately 2.5 hours to the Takakaw Falls parking lot in Yoho Park. Anyone camping over should try to leave a bit early to allow time to pitch their tent. Meeting at the truck turn out just past the gas station at Hwy 22 and Hwy 1 westbound before 7am. Leaving 7 am sharp.

Aug.7 - The photo pages have been updated with new shots from the Assiniboine trip, August 3rd-6th.

Aug.2nd - The K-Country and National Park trail reports are showing several bear warnings and apparently the berries that bears love are in season. Check the trail report for your hike before heading out and when on the trail make lots of noise to let them know your there. You can always borrow Ray's cow bell-there is no bear that could stand listening to that !

Camping overnight after the Iceline Hike on August 11th in Yoho will cost $ 18 per tent and has a coin op shower. It's first come first serve and it's recommended that your site is picked early Sat AM before we hit the trail. So we hike that day and return to the camp site for a shower, then a BBQ and a nice camp fire and some wobblies !

Harvey wanted to ask that if anyone was interested in camping overnight on July 28th after his Windtower hike and then join Jill on her Healy Pass hike the next day. Whether or not your going on Jill's hike it might be a fun camp-out for us CORE clubber's !

We still need volunteers for trail maintenance this Saturday. The trail maintenance program is in conjunction with the "Friends of Kananaskis" and it's part of giving something back to the network of trails that we use all the time. It's 9am to whenever and we will be working on the "Curly Sand" trail in the Sheep area.

Environment Canada has changed their website so that's why the weather information pages look different. I liked it the way it was, but oh well.

First and most importantly, guests are welcome. However,all guests must be sponsored by a current club member and that member must register the guest with the hike coordinator for that hike.

The guest is welcome to participate in 2 hikes, and after that if they wish to continue hiking with C.O.R.E, they must become a paid member.

They also must be able to provide their own club membership # when asked by a hike coordinator when registering for a hike. Membership #'s are not transferable.

Guests cannot bring guests, nor can they just show up at the trail head without the sponsoring member knowing or registering the guest. Unfortunately they will not be able to participate in the hike if they do so.

If there are current paid members who do not know their membership #, contact CORE by email and request your number. New members will be notified once the application and membership fee have been received.

Sunshine/ Mt. Assiniboine/ Bryant Creek/ Four Days back country hike August3, 4, 5 & 6th
Maximum number allowed 10 (I have 5 or 6 already interested)
Commitment by June 20th
Contact: Paul

Wilderness Pass - $6 per night - only need for 1 night camping in Banff Park (don't pay if you have an annual pass - give me details)
Booking fee share - $2 (shared cost for McBride or Marvel Lake campground bookings only - phone calls)
Shuttle Bus - $? pay on the bus
Mt Assiniboine Provincial camping fee paid each night 2 night @$5 = $10 total cash on trial, pay each night Sunshine/ Mt. Assiniboine/ Bryant Creek/ Four Days

"Don't waste your time in the Rockies" rating PREMIER BACKING TRIP. Rated Moderate difficulty.

Trailhead: The trip starts at the Sunshine Village parking lot. The trip ends at the Mt. Shark Parking Area in Kananaskis Country, 35 km south of Canmore, along the Smith-Dorrien Rd.

Transportation: Shuttle Vehicles between trail heads needed. Need 2 vehicles per 6 people. White Mountain Adventures offers a daily shuttle up the access road to Sunshine Meadows. The ride up to the meadows shaves off a 6 km hike up the access road.

General Description: This trail traverses a small section of the Great Divide Trail which parallels the continental divide. This portion captures many highlights, such as alpine larch, open alpine meadows, and the opportunity to visit Mt.

Note: There is a separate fee for camping in Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park ($5 per person per night) which is collected on site. Please note that on Day 2 of the trip water is in limited supply - carry enough to get you through the day.

Day 1: August 3: Ride the Shuttle from Sunshine parking to the Lodge (save 6km up a road) - From Sunshine Meadows travel over Quartz Ridge and down to Citadel Pass, 14 km and 685 m elevation gain.

Night 1: Porcupine Campground, Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park $5 per person fee paid on site. NO FIRES

Day 2: August 4: Hike through the Valley of the Rocks and past Og Lake to Lake Magog, 14 km and minimal elevation gain.

Night 2: Lake Magog Campground, Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park $5 per person paid on site. NO FIRES

Day 3: August 5: Travel over Wonder Pass and descend to the Marvel Lake campground, 14 km and 230 m elevation gain

Day 3: August 5: Travel over Assiniboine Pass to McBride or Marvel Lake campgrounds, 14 km

Day 4: August 6: Hike out to the Mt. Shark Trailhead, via Bryant Creek, -13km.

Drive after work on Friday July 20 to Wilcox Creek Campground FC, or Columbia Icefield Campground FC, in Jasper. Car camp Friday and Saturday nights

Sunday July 22-Nigel Pass, Banff, 14.4 km, 365 m elevation-Outstanding Day Hike-Rated Easy-

Hi CORE people: Just a few notes on various things. We'd like to remind anyone interested in volunteering for Trail Maintenance on Saturday July 14th to give Janet a call. It looks like it will be light maintenance work around Elbow Valley and it's a lot of fun too.

If any of the members has a hike that they are canceling or changing, please contact 1. Terry to have it put on the website 2. Janet Leeder she will put it on the CORE hotline and 3. Jill will send it to the email addresses on file. By doing this, we can get the info out as fast as possible to as many members as possible. As well, on Wednesday evening, I believe Joe and Isabel are organizing an evening hike, weather permitting, to Bragg Creek.

Cascade Amphitheatre is back on ! Trail reports were updated to day and the trail shows as GOOD , so it's a go. 10km return, 650m elevation gain. Call Terry.

As you all realize there are not that many hikes on the schedule for May/June, so some of us thought that it would be a good idea to get as many members as possible together for a potluck/trip planning social. It will be Tuesday May 15, bring a dish to share, drinks, your hiking books, maps and ideas. Call Isabelle for directions.

Ray is unable to coordinate the hike on Sunday May 13. If anybody is interested in taking that one over, please feel free. Any member that wants to make changes or add hikes to the schedule AT THE LAST MOMENT via email, it would be much appreciated if you could give me a call. I don't always have time to check the CORE mail minute by minute and I don't want to miss adding your hike. As well, don't forget to contact Janet Leeder to put it on the phone line as not everybody has email or has home email.

The web site has a few new pages that I thought our club members might find interesting and helpful. I have added a link to the newly revamped K-Country web site trail reports as well I have added a pointer to the Kootenay National Park trail report. There is also a new page that will show active weather in the mountains via radar. Road reports have been added and new calendar style hike / event page. I hope you find these new additions useful and if you want to contribute suggestions, please feel free to use the comment/idea page for your ideas and input. That's what it's there for !

Found some free space on Yahoo for our hiking pictures, so I have started rescanning all of them. Some are already up there as well as a few videos. It will take time to rebuild that portion of our website, but at least now we have some space to fill with our pics !

Be advised ! I found out today where all the snow is ! Even in the Bragg Creek west area of K-Country you will experience knee deep and even waist deep snow on the trails, sunny side or not. It's still very much winter in the mountains and until we get higher temps it's a snowshoe or XC ski kinda outing !

For those members that would like to be notified by email of upcoming events, please make sure that you email CORE and let us know that you want to be included in future emails. To send an email, click on the "Email CORE" button on the top right of the main page of the web site.

Just a reminder about tomorrow night's meeting at 7.00. Bring your hiking books, maps, ropes, whatever...... We're looking forward to setting up all the exciting hikes you guys can think of, weather and snow conditions permitting. We want all of our members to partake in coordinating hikes. The more ideas, the better. See you there!!

The Goat Creek ski outing for this Sunday has been changed to Morraine Lake Road ski / shoe. The conditions at Goat Creek are not that good apparently. See the trip schedule for info for this Sunday.

If you want club information and updates to be emailed to you, make sure that Jill has your current email address. We notice that several addresses are no longer current. To send her an email from the web site go to the "email" button on the top right any page on the site.

Just a little info on Core membership and upcoming events/cross country ski trips/snowshoe excursions and hikes!

We are combining trip coordinating meetings with monthly meetings to make more efficient use of everybody's time. Next meeting is Thursday March 29th. So get out your outdoor books, put on your thinking caps, any suggestions are welcome!!

As you may recall our organization is purely volunteer, so that we must have your support in coordinating hiking, skiing, etc. events or even arranging an interesting speaker for our monthly meetings. Each member must organize a minimum of one of the above to ensure that we keep the club going and that we don't overburden certain members that have shown extra initiative in planning past events.

Renewal fees effective April 1, 2001 will be $20.00. Where can you find a club to join for such an inexpensive price? You can pay at the meeting on March 29 or send your dough to CAOC at 1111 Memorial Drive, Calgary, AlbertaT2N 3E4.

Nov 23rd - Just a reminder of the last CORE meeting before Xmas. Naomi is going to be available to talk about her trip so it should be pretty interesting!! It will be at 7:00 Thursday November 30th at the brick building on Memorial across from Red Robin.

Nov. 5th's hike to Upper Kananaskis Lake has been cancelled due to potential sub zero weather and high winds. It's time to make sure that you have the proper clothes and emergency equipment in your pack from now until summer !

Nov. 1st - Please forgive me - all my pics and images were damaged on my computer during a recent trojan horse attack. I will replace them as I go.

The November trip calendar has been posted. This weekend, November 4th, we are going to Jumping Pound Ridge in K-Country. Its off of Sibbald Flats Road and about 15 k's down the Powderface Trail dirt road that turns left off of that.

If anyone has any ideas, suggestions or discussion topics, please feel free to post them up on our discussion board. Try it out and see how it works. Its easy. Don't be scared to use it. This is a public forum open for your comments.

Oct. 13th - Happy Friday ! We will be having a hike coordinator's meeting on Monday October 23 at 6:30 at the CAOC building on Memorial. We'd like to see everyone come out and get as many people leading hikes as possible! Let's fill up that hiking schedule!

Aug. - We are going ahead with the potluck at Edworthy Park on August 25th, Friday night at 7:30 PM. We will meet at the shelter just over the bridge. Everybody is welcome. Just bring a dish of something really good and whatever you wish to sip on!!

Aug. - Check out the "External Links" web pages for important info such as weather and a new link to "Rocky Mountain Wildflowers" web site.

July - - The web site has a new discussion page - you can add your comments and suggestions on anything. Try it out and see what you think.

July - The "External Links" page has been updated with new sites to visit , including "The Bear Facts" and other safety information from Fish & Wildlife.

Please submit your ideas and suggestions to the "Discussion Page". It will get passed to the executives for the club.