#summit hiking

So, this sunday, March 6th, we will be doing our first summit of 2016. I thought I would do a little write up on the things I’ve researched for it and the gear ect. I’ll be using. 

The deets:

Location: Pincher Creek, AB

Distance: 10 kms

Elevation: 675 m

Recommended time: 6 hours

Directions: (taken from trailpeak.com)

Take route 6 south from Pincher creek towards Waterton National Park and take the first right after the CPR train bridge. This road leads west towards the Shell plant. Continue past the Shell plant where there are huge blocks of yellow sulfur and enter the forestry reserve. Stay right at the first vee and continue until the storage complex where the West road is gated. You will see a sign here describing the Castle special management area and hiking for Victoria ridge. Find a place to park your car for the day near here (we turned right northwards and found a good parking spot maybe 50 metres from here).

Prairie Bluff is a straightforward summit hike with a small amount of scrambling and due to its location is clear of ice and snow already! Although that whole area is known for it’s hard and fast wind, so that will definitely be an issue. 

Gear: Oboz hikers, Camelbak fourteener pack, Nike pro insulated leggings and The NorthFace synthetic down jacket. In my pack I will have an extra layer of pants, socks and water proof Arc’teryx  jacket along with all the essentials ( first aid, water, snacks, knife, rope and other assorted survival gear)