The Hiking / Backpacking Thread

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I have some -7C sleeping bags currently, but they're more of a car camping weight and and size. They don't compress much for backpacking. I remember using them in mid-June during a trip to Yellowstone when there was still snow on the ground and it was tolerable, but not what I would call comfortable. Kind of wondering what would be worthwhile to invest in. Definitely not doing any intentional camping in winter or in sustained sub-freezing temperatures.

Trying to outfit a whole family is expensive.

I would look for 650 full weight down seeping bags that are properly EN rated for 0C for the gender of the person. So that is the EN Limit for men and En comfort for women. I find the 650 down is a good compromise between weight and cost. You end up with about a 2 lb or so bag that compresses to about 8L.

I bought two of these for my wife and daughter

https://www.sportchek.ca/product/331...5712=331845721

I think I stacked a bunch of coupon codes and got them under $200 each.

The other option is you can get compression sacks to reduce the volume of a car camping bag and suck up the weight. If it could be a one time thing than that might be a better choice.

I use a sleeping quilt for myself, they cut out more weight but aren’t for everyone. https://ugqoutdoor.com/custom-made-top-quilts/

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by JJolg

Great pic! Makes me wish my pup was young again so we could get back out shed hunting

Aw. Let me know if you want a couple of Mitch's sheds. Maybe you could hide them around the yard. Or take them on walks. There's a small moose shed that would be really fun to hide and find.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Trying to outfit a whole family is expensive.

https://www.mec.ca/en/gearswap/

Also of course kijiji. Spirit West used to sell used/consignment gear - they probably still do, but I haven't been in years (never to their new location). Pretty good consignment store in Canmore, and I've heard there's a good one in Cochrane (never been though).


Another good thing to remember re: sleeping bags is that the actual temp at your campsite is likely at least a few degrees colder than whatever the nearest forecast location said. Also, sleeping alone is a lot colder than with an adjacent meat bag (cold sleepers/crappy sleeping bags in the middle). And, ventilation is your friend (especially with lots of people in the tent) - keeping everything sealed up will feel a few degrees warmer as you go to bed, but the 90% humidity a few hours later will chill you to the bone.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

https://www.mec.ca/en/gearswap/and I've heard there's a good one in Cochrane (never been though).

Decent selection, prices are a bit out to lunch on some stuff though.

[Torture]

-7 - -9 is a good range for camping in the Rockies. Definitely down if you want somethign that is compressible and lightweight.

A sleeping bag liner isn't a bad idea as well - it helps add a couple degrees of warmth and keeps your bag cleaner....the silk ones are pretty luxurious.

And of course, a sleeping pad is pretty much a requirement as well, both for comfort and the insulation they provide from the ground. Thermarest makes some good products - I like the NeoAir as it's way more comfortable than the ProLite I had before. If budget is an issue you can survive with a foam pad but the Thermarests are much more comfortable.

[cDnStealth]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a spring-time moderate level hike? It's far too early in the season for any of my go to hikes but I am looking for something around 2-3 hours in length and I was thinking even Drumheller. Not sure what's out that way though. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[billybob123]

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

... I was thinking even Drumheller. Not sure what's out that way though. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Horsethief Canyon is pretty easy to get to and has some amazing colours. Can also potentially see fossils. You can go as far or short as you want.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

Does anyone have a recommendation for a spring-time moderate level hike? It's far too early in the season for any of my go to hikes but I am looking for something around 2-3 hours in length and I was thinking even Drumheller. Not sure what's out that way though. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Prairie mountain is in shape year round, don’t even need micro spikes anymore pending yesterday’s storm. Moose Mountain opens May 15th and usually you can get to the false summit without snow and then you can posthole to the true summit or turn around.

My favourite early season hike is Nahahi Canyon. Once the road to elbow falls opens up May 15th it is usually accessible. You take the little elbow trail for about 5k. Then hike up beside a drainage. Then there is a short slot canyon to navigate until you get cut off by a huge cliff. If water is flowing through the drainage you probably don’t want to do it but usually Mid May it’s accessible.

All of these are down the highway 66 out past Bragg Creek.

They might be a little longer than 2-3 hrs though

Lake Minnewanka / Stewart Canyon in Bannf should be in shape by now just muddy. Tunnel Mountain and Sulphur mountain are likely close as well. It looks like they have closed the backside of Sulphur mountain this year to do tree thinning. That’s unfortunate as it is a great wide open view hike up the backside of Sulphur and because it’s west facing melts out early. It’s much better than the trail on the Gondola side.

[Wormius]

I wouldn't be able to compress my current sleeping bags, they're the flannel type and I can barely get them into their mssive packs now without forcibly squeezing it between my legs



Yeah, I think I will head over to MEC during the spring gear swap event and see is there are any deals to be had for some sleeping bags. Would like to keep it under $150/each. I assume kids don't really need a special sized sleeping bag, right?


Received the Papa Hubba today and set it up in my basement. I was amazed by how small it compacts. Also pretty intuitive to set up and remarkably I didn't need to finesse it too much to get it back into its little sack. I was going to wait until the rest of my family was home to see how we al fit, but the cat was pacing around with a look in its eyes that it wanted to scratch something. I don't now if the nylon is scratch resistant, so I quickly took it down and put it away.



I had originally thought we might only take the tent to Iceland, but if we can get some 4 sleeping bags here and stuff everything into a duffel bag for the flight that would be ideal, instead of renting sleeping bags there for what it would cost to buy them here.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Looking for a recommendation around Calgary for hikes. Preferably around Canmore. Nothing requiring snowshoes. No spikes would be nice too. I know that severely limits options but that’s ok. I can rent/buy spikes if absolutely necessary. I’ve done Grotto but only in the summer.

Haven’t been to Canmore in a long time and I know there’s lots of trails around town. Wondering if there’s anything more around town than inside it.

Someone recommended going to the Nordic Centre as they have some groomed trails.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Looking for a recommendation around Calgary for hikes. Preferably around Canmore. Nothing requiring snowshoes. No spikes would be nice too. I know that severely limits options but that’s ok. I can rent/buy spikes if absolutely necessary. I’ve done Grotto but only in the summer.

Haven’t been to Canmore in a long time and I know there’s lots of trails around town. Wondering if there’s anything more around town than inside it.

Someone recommended going to the Nordic Centre as they have some groomed trails.

Oh my god don't walk on a x country ski trail. Those skinny dweebs will kill you. Like it's pretty much the worst offence out there now that people aren't covering their cars in honey and parking on the side of the highway all summer. Seriously though it's actually a fine this year if they catch you walking on a groomed trail. The nordic center has one snowshoe loop that I think you can walk on but it's only a couple boring kilometers.

This is a link to some trails close by...

https://albertaparks.ca/parks/kanana...naskis-trails/

Grassi lake is the go to close to canmore hike in the winter. Ha Ling, EEOR and Lady Mac are the spike required uphill walks. A great flat no special stuff required walk is crescent lake at the base of yamnuska. Just be super duper careful about parking at trail heads in the Bow Valley. So many break ins.

[Lubicon]

It's not Canmore, but about the same distance from Calgary.

Barrier Lake (K Country) has some nice and relatively flat trails.

[Fuzz]

If you want to go a bit farther in Chester Lake is supposed to be well packed. Definitely skip the Nordic Centre. I don't think anything around town has that deep of snow. Lots of walking trails there, depends how far you want to go.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Yeah Chester lake is a bit far. An hour or so from home would be ideal.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Yeah Chester lake is a bit far. An hour or so from home would be ideal.

Yeah I might give this a whirl...


https://kananaskistrails.com/below-yamnuska/2011/


I take my dog there all the time. He's a golden retriever and wont hurt you unless I give him the command.

[TheSutterDynasty]

Anyone been out this containment week?

[BowRiverBruinsRule]

It was sort of getting out of Calgary but after a busy day went to Big Hill Springs with my gal and three dogs. Parking lot full. Everyone happy. It was real nice and normal. Outside is good. Maybe go further next time.

[burn_this_city]

Drove out to Elbow Falls just to get out of the house, was busier than I've ever seen. We didn't get out of the car, but it was packed to the point it felt like a viral breeding ground.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Drove out to Elbow Falls just to get out of the house, was busier than I've ever seen. We didn't get out of the car, but it was packed to the point it felt like a viral breeding ground.

Yeah, that's pretty predictable.

First place people will think of/ will come up on Google for a family day out close to town.

However if you get down below the falls along the river bank beyond the falls it's usually way quieter there.

You'll have to drive a bit further to escape the crowds, more so now.

[djsFlames]

Anybody gone out since the reopening of provincial parks?

I'm not in a rush since I figure the larger animals might be hanging out closer to trails since they've been deserted. Going to wait for human traffic to pick up again to hit some of the more remote ones.