Spring Camping! - Sat, Mar 24 2018, Sun, Mar 25 2018

Spring Camping! (3/24/2018)

PRE-REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. You will then make your payment for this event at the venue, NOT in advance to the EOC.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:

Event Type:

Overnight

Event Location:

Elk Island National Park - Astotin Lake camping area

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Mar 24 2018, Sun, Mar 25 2018 2:00 PM (Carpool Departure: 1:00 PM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Mar 24 2018 11:00:00 AM

Event Duration:

2 days, 1 night

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Event Coordinator(s):

Ryan
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

$27.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

5 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Looking for a new challenge? Well here it is… camping, in March. Your friends will call you crazy, but camping in the off- season is totally worth it! (less crowds, no mosquitoes...).

We will spend a night at the Astotin Lake campground in Elk Island Park.

When you sign up, please advise me (preferably by sending me an email) if you have prior winter camping experience, and what type of camping gear that you have.

It will be extremely important that everyone has a warm sleeping bag that is appropriate for at least 3-season conditions (preferably winter conditions) You can find out more about selecting sleeping bags, and the temperature ratings, by reviewing this guide provided by Mountain Equipment Co-Op.

Once we arrive and set up camp at Elk Island Park, we will spend the afternoon snowshoeing or hiking (depending on the conditions) within the park. On Sunday, depending on the group's preferences, we may also go for a hike after breaking camp.

Required Items to Bring:

1)warm sleeping bag

2)Good insulating sleeping pad or foam. (most of the heat loss is to the ground) Closed cell foam works well. TIP: When camping in winter conditions, I have found that placing my normal sleeping pad on top of an inexpensive foam sleeping pad works is a simple but effective option for adding further insulation.

3) 3 season tent. (A 4-season tent specifically intended for winter camping would be ideal, but access to this kind of tent is not necessary for this trip.)

4) Very Warm clothing, Mitts and Boots. It’s more difficult to stay warm when just hanging out. Note that you can wear your warm jacket, pants and boot liners into your sleeping bag to increase the warmth.

5) snowshoes

6)Nutritious meals and snacks. Consuming plenty of healthy calories is important. Our bodies burn extra to stay warm. Simple cooking is the easiest in the cold. Dehydrated is a great choice.

7)Mug and hot beverage mix (drinking plenty of warm fluids helps the body keep warm)

8)Optional - a 1L Nalgene or reliably water tight water bottle. Boil up a litre of water and take it to bed with you. It will still be warm in the morning.

9)Extra Pair of Warm socks, extra baselayer and extra gloves/mitts.

10)A nice warm Toque to sleep in.

11)backpacking stove. We will need 3-4 for the group. I will bring a Jetboil stove. If the temperature is really cold (below -20), I am aware that Jetboil stoves may not work.

12)headlamp

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
A great attitude! Hanging out is much more fun with upbeat people willing to laugh and tell stories and jokes.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Head East on the Yellowhead highway (#16) until you hit range road 211. Head North on range road 211 for approximately 6km until you hit township road 540. Turn right on Township road 540 and drive approx 2.5km until you hit a 90 degree left hand turn. This is where we will park. The access gate will be visible at the sharp corner and there will be parking for a few vehicles.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

95Km

Carpool Departure Time:

1:00 PM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

The event coordinator(s) will help you to arrange a centralized carpool if you require it, but it's not guaranteed. Please DO NOT pay your driver en route. Passengers will pay the coordinator, and he/she will distribute the money to the carpool drivers. SO PLEASE BRING CASH!!! Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $27.55 (calculated at total Km * $0.29, effective Thursday, November 21, 2024). This is based on $0.09/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divided by 9. This cost will be multiplied by the number of carpooled cars, and divided by the number of carpool participants.

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.

Cost & Payment:

Member Cost:

$27.00/Person

Cost Includes:

The cost for the trip is estimated at $27 per person, but this is a very high estimate. Actual costs are likely to be lower.

Cost breakdown:
$4.90 per person for camping (if the Elk Island Park Visitor Centre is open, we can pay there. We can otherwise pay by cash or cheque at a self- registration station.)
$1-$2 (depending on number of participants) to be paid to me to cover costs of purchasing a fire permit. Please bring cash to cover this cost.
$7.80 ($15.60 total) per day for day-use fees at Elk Island Park, or access to a National Park visitor pass.
$5-$15 for carpool costs, depending on the number of participants per car and number of cars required.

Make a Payment:

Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the EOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!