Ewok Village River Valley Hills & Drills Fitness Hike - Wed, Feb 16 2022

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Ewok Village River Valley Hills & Drills Fitness Hike (2/16/2022)

PRE-REGISTRATION 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 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:Hike
Event Location: McNally School/ Ewok Village/ Forest Heights
Date(s) & Time:Wed, Feb 16 2022  6:30 PM
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Feb 16 2022 5:45:00 PM
Event Duration:2 hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Event Coordinator(s): Mark G
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:12
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 10 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:
This will be a series of hikes designed to get us in shape and geared up for backpacking, or hiking trips with the EOC over the next year (including snow shoe trips). Each week we will hike in the river valley area on trails that will help condition us, leading up to enjoyable weekends potentially exploring the Rockies and our own Alberta "back yard" when we can together.
This hike is rated as a D4 difficulty because some of the trails have a steep elevation incline sections and may have tree roots, muddy sections, loose surface, narrow trail. Bringing hiking poles or a walking stick is advised.

We will hike one of the best kept secret in the Edmonton river valley coined by locals as "Ewok Village". This is a network of trails along the South East forested slope just below McNally High School. We will then hike under the Dawson bridge and travel along gravel and single track trails around Riverside Golf Course Area. We plan to keep a steady hiking pace through forested trails, up steep inclines, down challenging slopes and hidden gullies. The route will be finished by a hike up the hill on the trail back to McNally and Forest Heights Area.

Please click HERE for more info and tips on beginner backpacking and hiking if you are interested. The EOC also has some great links and outdoor resources listed on our left hand column of the webpage.

In the case of recent rain and extremely icy conditions, we will alter the route to easier gravel and multi-use trails.

We will meet at McNally High School parking lot at 6:25 PM for introductions and questions, and then we will depart at 6:30 PM sharp. Please ensure you have good foot wear and are well hydrated. Everyone is welcome even if you are not interested in backpacking. Look for the guy with the blue EOC cap.

**There are important ways to protect yourself and others from Coronavirus. For all who choose to enjoy an EOC activity we require participants to follow all Federal and Provincial rules in regards to Covid- 19, and the 2 meters/ 6 feet of social distancing from all club members and the public while on the trails and in public spaces. ** Our activities are outdoors in uncrowded spaces where cross-contamination is considered lower risk, but strict precautions still need to be followed. click for more information and to learn more.

Additional requirements:

1. Create social space. Avoid greeting each other where there is the potential for skin-to- skin contact, such as hugs or handshakes or high- fives. . When in doubt, share a friendly wave and 'hello'. Blow your nose, cough, sneeze, or clear your airway at least 2 metres away from others. Don't use clothing to wipe. Wear a mask in public places to help limit the risk of spread to others if you will be within 2 metres of people other than members of your own household.
  • **The government has indicated that masks may help, but the evidence is inconclusive. Therefore, we are leaving it to the discretion of participants to choose whether you'd like to wear masks. Be aware that this is not a requirement so you must be comfortable with others potentially not wearing masks.

    2. Are you in a high- risk category? Consider self- isolating if you are in a category with an immunocompromised system. Consultations with respiratory therapists indicate that individuals who suffer from asthma should exercise the same level of care they would exercise with other viruses. Alberta's Chief Medical Officer has stated individuals over 60, or anybody with pre- existing medical conditions are at increased risk of complications from Coronvirus (COVID-19).

    3. Are you feeling unwell? Are you feeling unwell? If you have a cough or flu-like symptoms, you must stay home, and should consider getting yourself tested by calling 8-1-1. Also the Alberta government states if you have symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sore throat or runny nose, you MUST self-isolate for 10 days after the onset of symptoms and until your symptoms have resolved (whichever is longer). *If you are in mandatory self-isolation you can not legally go outside for a walk through your neighbourhood or park.

    4. Your EOC event hosts are volunteers. Participants are responsible for assessing the current road conditions, current weather conditions, their current physical condition, current trail conditions, and are responsible for their own safety and well-being.

    5. Please no sharing of food and drinks; as well no carpooling.

    6. Further important considerations:

  • The province has encouraged outdoor activities with physical distancing. Studies have shown the benefits of outdoor activity for staying healthy. Therefore, we are offering organized activities to support your best health and well-being.
  • The province is permitting groups of up to 15 participants to gather with physical distancing. Therefore, we have capped all events lower at 12 to help reduce overall group size.
  • The province requires that you be healthy to attend events. Therefore, the event organizer will exercise their discretion to send a participant home if they display symptoms of illness.
  • The government continues to recommend six feet of physical distancing. Therefore, the lead will be enforcing this distancing throughout the hike. Anyone who is not acting in accordance with this requirement will be warned once. If non- compliance continues, they will be asked to leave the activity.
  • **Please respect each other’s space. We all have our own opinions on COVID-19 and need to understand that we may not agree but must respect each other’s space with the required social distancing of all people in public spaces.


    Self test and Covid-19 FAQs here: click for more FAQ information, testing, and links for Alberta Health Covid-19.


    Look for Mark wearing (or holding) a blue EOC ball cap, or look up his profile picture on the volunteer page.

    (*Note we are not accepting cash donations at this time on our events. Please feel free to send donations to our Treasurer or event organizer electronically).


    • Required Items to Bring:
  • Your own food and water
  • Headlamp, or flash light
    -Good footwear, and ice grips
    -Clothing appropriate for the weather
    		• Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
    -Hiking poles
    -Backpack
    -Bring your own "Gatorade" for afterwards.
    -Mask if you wish to aid in health assurance (some say it increases cardio oxygen training, look up the benefits :)

    How to Get There:
    Event Directions:See the link below for map and directions. We will meet in the parking lot. Check out my picture on the "Volunteers" page.


    Notes:
    Experienced intermediate hikers are all welcome, but please be advised that this hike has a brisk pace (up to 5.5 km/h) with challenging single track narrow trails *and elevation. A real challenge!! If you are signing up to this more difficult hike, we expect you to keep up to the fast pace so you don't fall too far behind and lose the group. The event duration will be approximately 2 hours. ***We are open to having dogs on the hike, however they must be leashed***
    We are only allowing a maximum of twelve participants including the coordinator on our events at this time.
    - 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!