Author Archives: parkland

2014 Hilda YoYo: A Tale Of Two Hostels

With such a large group we ended up staying at two separate hostels and had two very different experiences for the weekend.

Ramparts Hostel By Margo

Hilda yo-yo trip, turned more of a road trip – January 2014 This definitely was a different kind of adventure!

7 of us were staying at Ramparts with the plan to meet up with the main group plus tour leaders at Hilda on Saturday morning. Great plan, except that Mother Nature had different ideas.

We woke up to at least 12” of fresh snow and still snowing heavily. No problem, we pile into our cars and start ploughing thru. About halfway, we were stopped by a truck coming the other way, informing us they had not been able to make it past the big bend.

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Elk Lakes December 2013 (from the eyes of a “newbie”)

We were fortunate to get two different trip reports from Bill and Jen for the Elk Lakes tour but they both agree that it was a really cold trip!

By Bill

It was with some trepidation that I prepared for my first backcountry overnighter with the club. Not only would I have to be capable of skiing with a forty pound pack, the weather forecast was for cold and colder. Trip leader Steve B. assured me that if I could ski the hills at River Bend with a heavy pack, I could do it. As a refresher, I also availed myself of an Intro to Mountain Touring course, led by Jane and Steve D. (the other Steve) and picked up several tips. Steve B. sent out an equipment list which would prove useful (especially the down jacket). Continue reading →