Polar Bear Backpack Conditioning & Backcountry Gourmet Taste Test - Tue, Mar 18 2008

Polar Bear Backpack Conditioning & Backcountry Gourmet Taste Test (3/18/2008)

The Basics:
Event Type:		Sport
Event Location:		Whitemud Park
Date(s) & Time:		Tue, Mar 18 2008  6:00 PM
Registration Cut Off:		Sun, Mar 16 2008 11:59:00 PM
Event Duration:		1.5 hours
Difficulty Rating:		D3: Moderate
Event Coordinator(s):		Tara Donna You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:		Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)
Participant Info:
Who's Invited:		Members Only, 18 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:		15
Minimum Group Size:		2
Number Registered So Far:		7 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted:		No
Itinerary:
You'll be glad we get the huff-puff over now when you're enjoying mountain trips this summer! Let's load up our packs, and climb the 120 feet of elevation (220 steps - deep breath) of the longest stairs in all of Edmonton, completing 6 circuits in an hour with weighted backpack on. 10 or more circuits without pack, or if cheating! Beginners can speed walk down the path while tightening those buns to catch your breath between circuits. Afterwards we'll share our backcountry gourmet meal ideas prepared on our camp stoves (only enough for a few bites each). Everyone is welcome to research menu ideas and bring a meal to sample. Backcountry meals can be expensive and time-consuming to prepare, so let's use each other as Guinea Pigs now so that we have proven recipes when we are starving in the backcountry this spring. I will post each week's recipes on the website after the event.
Required Items to Bring: -water -appropriate clothing - Your backpack, loaded up with the heaviest wieght you're currently comfortable with carrying. We recommend starting with a pack of about 25 pounds and working your way up to your personal maximum - the experts recommend for that to be about 1/3 of your body weight. See our Backpacker Checklist for information about how to pack your pack. Even though we're filling up with water-weight, the "how to pack" section at the bottom of the checklist is still relevant. - plate or bowl, and spoon for the taste test Recommended Items to Bring: Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need. - $$ for refreshments later - warmish clothing if necessary - backcountry meal ingredients and stove (be prepared to email me the recipe)
How to Get There:
Event Directions:		The address is Whitemud Road & 138th Street, located next to the Whitemud Nature Reserve, and northwest of the University of Alberta's experimental farm, south of Fox Drive. Turn at the Whitemud Equine Center, off Fox Drive, take the first left and follow the road until the T intersection at the creek, turn left under Fox Drive, and proceed to the parking lot. If you wish you can also access the park by walking down the stairs (that we will be doing laps on). If you choose to do this, you can park in the residential neighbourhood of Grandview Heights above the park. From 112 St, turn west on to 62 Ave (becomes Grandview Drive around a forced right turn). You will find a grassy area on your left with stairs leading down from there. Grandview Drive continues to curve around a bend, but then you know you've gone too far. Map to Whitemud Park
Notes:
- 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!