The Hiking / Backpacking Thread

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by Slava

The infowars guy?! Haha, this is the last thread I expected that guy to be referenced in. OK, maybe second last but YLYL was closed a long time ago!

I was just joking. I thought it was odd being asked for sources on hiker fatalities.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

I was just joking. I thought it was odd being asked for sources on hiker fatalities.

I found it was odd claiming "lots" of people have fatally fallen off that ridge. I've found two incidents of death on Lady Mac, one being an avalanche (which would not on the ridge), and an undisclosed on or near Lady Mac.

I think it's odd that someone would find being questioned for a source on a fact they're throwing out odd.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Nyah

I think the plan is to go right to the top, including the knifes edge part (totally depending on the conditions). I'll be bringing my hiking poles, so not too worried about my knees. Hopefully there isn't a lot of snow up there right now.

I was out last weekend on the bike trails below. They were dry and dusty. I'd be surprised if you hit any snow/ice until possibly the ridge line. It was been really really windy lately, and you are going to feel the cold up there if it is blowing hard so be prepared for that.

Don't forget to bring bear spray, you will be going through their habitat on the lower slopes. There is also a warning for a very aggressive grouse that has been giving people trouble, so watch out for him!

[GGG]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

That might be a tad dramatic, but I'll agree with perhaps not doing it in snow.

Your probably right it is over stating the risk. I think the pictures in the link do a pretty good job at showing what it is actually like.

[Nyah]

Quick update, for anyone like me who's wondering whether to do Lady Mac or not - definitely do it. It was such a great hike. We set a really good pace for the climb which was relatively slow, and took a lot of micro-breaks any time we needed to. For the most part the beginning is just trails through the trees, and then you break through the tree line and it navigating through bare trails and boulders until you get to the heli-pad. It took up about 2.5 - 3 hours to get up. The tea house isn't there anymore, we were told it wasn't anything special though. I didn't have enough steam in me to make it up to the summit, but two of our group did it and they said it was really difficult. Both of them are in great shape, and they struggled getting up the scree to the knifes edge. They said it was a hell of a view though, so it's probably worth the final 20 minute push from the heli-pad if you have it in you. The hiking poles saved my knees on the way down too. Overall, it was a really great time, and I'm not too sore. Definitely recommend.

Fuzz: I think we saw the grouse! He was all puffed up as we passed, and there was a couple taking a photo of him, and sure enough we saw his lady on the other side of the path. Pretty hilarious!

[OMG!WTF!]

just trying to figure out pictures. damn. that's a big pic. This is the little valley below Mt Allen yesterday. It's about 9kms in and about 1000 meters up but never has any people. I think the guide book says it's not worth the trip.

[/IMG]

[OMG!WTF!]

[/IMG][/IMG]

Also, thought these were people tracks. Turns out they were big foot tracks.

[Barbecue]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I carry spray, bangers (since they're both used for very different things), and a knife (of which I don't expect to be of much use). I'm assuming the 12 gauge was a joke, but there's a lot of studies out there that say spray is more effective than a gun in an attack.

Third party forum information, but apparently out of the dozen or so sprays approved for sale in Canada, only 3 are recommended. Counter Assault, Guard Alaska, and UDAP. I guess some brands trade off distance for spray time or vise-versa. Take that FWIW I guess. I use Frontiersman simply because that's what MEC carries.

Bit of reading here: http://www.bearsmart.com/play/bear-d...-pepper-spray/

I generally avoid the use of bangers. IMO better off to just have them mosey along on their own, but they're good to have in case. You can also buy flares for the pen launchers too for signalling in an emergency.

Don't forget to bear call. Not too many people seem to do it. Generally the best defence is not to surprise them, but I'm certainly no expert.

The key here is to have at least a 440 grade steel knife and one that is full tang. Bears are very smart and will know if yours isnt full tang and will call you out on it

[worth]

Anyone hiked out to Tombstone campground in the Elbow Lake area? Will be doing that in September.

http://www.albertaparks.ca/elbow-she...e-backcountry/

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by worth

Anyone hiked out to Tombstone campground in the Elbow Lake area? Will be doing that in September.

http://www.albertaparks.ca/elbow-she...e-backcountry/

It has been a lot of years, but yes. They had a seacan there which is handy for storing food. It is a beautiful, easy hike up from Elbow Lake. Tombstone Lake is a short hike uphill from the campground, and holds lots of native cutthroat trout, or it is a nice spot to just setup on the shore.

[undercoverbrother]

Great bump worth.

Anyone ever go up to Landslide Like out west of Nordegg?

[TSXCman]

Originally Posted by worth

Anyone hiked out to Tombstone campground in the Elbow Lake area? Will be doing that in September.

http://www.albertaparks.ca/elbow-she...e-backcountry/

I stayed at Elbow Lake and then Tombstone over Canada Long. It was a nice hike, nothing too crazy. Great value and amenities for the cost (food storage, fire wood, and toilets).

This was my first hiking/camping trip with light gear and it was a good time. The Elbow Lake hike is so short that we brought in an awesome dinner (whiskey, potatoes/sour cream, salad, pre-sautéed mushrooms/onions, and ribeyes for the fire).

My friend's caught a small fish each on their fly rods

[zuluking]

Going out to Invermere and my 15-year-old son wants to do the hike to Conrad Kain Hut in the Bugaboos. Anyone ever made this hike recently? How is the road out there for an Odyssey? Could a 9-year-old boy also hike it? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by worth

Anyone hiked out to Tombstone campground in the Elbow Lake area? Will be doing that in September.

http://www.albertaparks.ca/elbow-she...e-backcountry/

Bring skates. September 5 2013......

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by zuluking

Going out to Invermere and my 15-year-old son wants to do the hike to Conrad Kain Hut in the Bugaboos. Anyone ever made this hike recently? How is the road out there for an Odyssey? Could a 9-year-old boy also hike it? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Been 10 years since I have done it .... great hike, great views and don't remember if being that difficult. One attached ladder to climb up a rock face.

Based on my memory, an Odyssey would be a tough drive. I remember the last bit of the drive being pretty rough and bumpy. There are always low clearance vehicles in the parking lot though. I did it once with a car and it was a bit stressful ... after that, truck only and it was actually fun. Maybe they have made improvements to the road in the past 10 years. Definitely want to head back there with my kids at some point.

[stampsx2]

Can anyone give any advice on hiking up the west side of rundle? Are the trails well marked. Is it tough to find the trail after the gulley? I'm on my own for this one, any reason not to?

[Dentoman]

Search "Mount Rundle Scramble" for numerous websites outlining the route. Parks Canada has a good one.
After the last big gully, more or less turn left and start going up ... there are some small signs but the trail is pretty clear.
After the Dragon's back, stay to the left up to the summit. On the way down, come down on the opposite side ..... some larger scree will allow a quicker descent.
As far as being on your own, likely should be fine. I have seen several solo hikers when I have done it.
Last year you couldn't park right by the golf course, they had blocked it off. You might have to park at Bow Falls parking lot.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

Can anyone give any advice on hiking up the west side of rundle? Are the trails well marked. Is it tough to find the trail after the gulley? I'm on my own for this one, any reason not to?

The only reason not to is there is better stuff out there to do that is more rewarding or easier. Its a grind. Cascade, Temple, Cirque peak are all vastly superior.

I would say there is no real trail past the gully so you have to stay within your limits but its pretty much just up. Kanes Scramble book as a pretty good route description.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by GGG

The only reason not to is there is better stuff out there to do that is more rewarding or easier. Its a grind. Cascade, Temple, Cirque peak are all vastly superior.

I would say there is no real trail past the gully so you have to stay within your limits but its pretty much just up. Kanes Scramble book as a pretty good route description.

Cascade and Temple are very technical and dangerous because of the falling rocks. Not sure I would do those solo. Lot of risk there if there were an injury.

But you are the second person with the opinion it's not rewarding. Might have to see it for myself.

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by GGG

The only reason not to is there is better stuff out there to do that is more rewarding or easier. Its a grind. Cascade, Temple, Cirque peak are all vastly superior.
on.

I actually found Cascade more of a grind at the end of the return just due to the increased distance

IMO Rundle is the iconic mountain of Banff..... that is reason enough to get to the summit. Plus, you can impress people when pointing it out from the highway.

Cascade definitely has better views during and at the end of the hike.