Snowshoe to Commonwealth Lake

by Gillean Daffern on February 3, 2010

Last Monday the weather was supposed to be sunny in the mountains which is why we went to Commonwealth Lake to get  pics of spectacular Commonwealth Peak jutting up against a blue sky. The reality was a grey day with snow flying  and mountains  barely visible in the mist.  Still a good trip, though. A bit short — only 2.3 km to the lake if you take the shortcut (4.2 km if you don‘t) — but  it”s one of those places where you can add on extra kilometres easily enough. Snowshoers had been in there before us and there was a good trail to follow and lots of ski tracks. [click to continue…]

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A Winter Hike to Grass Pass

by Tony Daffern on January 25, 2010

Went down to the Highwood on Sunday and hiked to Grass Pass on a dull wintery day. Fortified by a good breakfast at High Country Cafe, we quickly warmed up on the steady climb up the well-trodden, but now lightly snow-covered, trail. The vagaries of recent weather had covered the trees with with a dull white tracery of rime covered hoar frost; a somewhat unusual combination of winter precipitation. [click to continue…]

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Snowshoe North Bragg Trail

January 17, 2010

An updated description of North Bragg Trail that suggests an additional loop at the north end and urges the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association to include the trail in their plans for upgrading the West Bragg trails.

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Digging your Companion out of an Avalanche

January 13, 2010

Check out this excellent video on Strategic Shovelling from Backcountry Access (BAC). It highlights the research done by Dale Atkins and Bruce Edgerly on the most efficient method of digging your buried companion from under an avalanche. Accompanying text from Backcountry Avalanche Safety.

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Snowshoe Long Prairie Ridge

January 11, 2010

A 9.3 km snowshoe loop over scenic Long Prairie Ridge in the Sandy McNabb area of the Sheep River with a visit to twin viewpoints atop Pine Ridge. There are many options for shorter or longer trips.

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Cougar encounter in Evan-Thomas Creek

January 7, 2010

An account of an encounter with a cougar in Evan-Thomas Creek. Alpine Guide says “I think in the future if I see cougar tracks I will reconsider my days plan a bit more.”

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Marushka (Shark) Lake Snowshoe

January 6, 2010

Marushka Lake is a short, easy snowshoe trip in the Smith-Dorrien valley. I first tried this trip a couple of years ago and it is one I repeat each year – partly because I run out of trips that are out of avalanche danger and partly because of the wonderful views of Spray Lake.

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Snowshoe Sawmill Burn

January 3, 2010

Over the last couple of winters we noticed that a number of groups offered trips to Sawmill Burn. So yesterday we tried to find the way up the old logging roads. We got almost to the burn area before lack of time and energy forced us to turn back.

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Snowshoe Rummel Lake

December 30, 2009

Description of snowshoe trip to Rummel Lake in the Smith-Dorrien area and how it compares to Chester Lake snowshoe trail.

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How to “Meetup” with Other Kananaskis Country Enthusiasts

December 27, 2009

Don’t want to go out into Kananaskis Country on your own? Check out several Meetup Groups in the Calgary area that participate in a variety of activities from easy hiking and snowshoeing to trail running and scrambling.

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