VIKINGS hike July 26-28
Here’s some information about the upcoming hike!
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is one of our favorite hikes. We are thrilled to have you join us. While this is not a "secret" location, we make every effort to limit its exposure. We only share this spot with those who hike with us to enjoy it together. We kindly ask that you refrain from publishing or disclosing this location, and keep it for experiencing in person with others.
FRIDAY 4:00pm - 8:00 pm: sort out gear and pack bags, at garage at 140 4th Ave S
SATURDAY 6:00 am: leave Three Hills, 4 hr drive to trailhead. Approx 4 hr hike in
SUNDAY all day at location
MONDAY hike out, drive home. The aim is to be back by around 7 pm.
HIKE difficulty: HARD. This is not a long hike (10 km, typically 3-4 hrs of hiking), but there is a lot of elevation gain, with some fairly steep hiking sections. Add to that a 40 lb pack and this is no joke! But we can prepare for a good solid hike, pace ourselves...and soak in the amazing views.
There is no scrambling on the hike in. The hike can be done in light hiking shoes/boots suitable for rocky, uneven terrain. There will likely be some muddy sections, and a few creek crossings. These usually can be done by rock hopping, although depending on weather and time of year, you may want to remove shoes to cross.
PERSONAL ITEMS to bring: see more info below
hiking boots/shoes
camp shoes
water bottle
light, quick dry clothes
warm layers
separate sleep clothes
extra socks
hat
sunglasses
swim stuff
small towel
rain gear
mess kit
toothbrush
flashlight/head lamp
backpack
sleep mat
sleep bag
tent
food, snacks, drinks
OPTIONAL items:
fishing gear
sunscreen
bug spray
trekking poles
WE WILL BRING:
water filters
first aid kit
bear spray
knife
bear bags
stove and fuel
Garmin SOS device
toilet paper
GEAR we can help provide (as is available)
tents
sleeping mats
sleeping bags
mess kits
backpacks
freeze-dried food for purchase
DO NOT BRING:
perfumes, deodorant, shower gels, shampoos. (we will have biodegradeable camp soap for washing needs)
cotton or denim clothing items
heavy items
FOOTWEAR:
This is arguably your most important item. Without proper footwear, we won't even get to where we are going.
Please make sure you have boots that fit well, AND that your feet are accustomed to! This is NOT the time to try out some new boots you just bought, or some old boots you got from somewhere and only used once. MAKE SURE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE ON YOUR FEET and that they don't rub or squeeze your feet somewhere you don't want.
If you feel like you might be starting to get a hot spot that can lead to a blister, stop and take care of it right away. Blisters are not fun, and once they form there is not much you can do. We will have some blister care with us in our first aid kit.
DOUBLE SOCKS is recommended for hiking: A thin small pair next to skin, preferably merino wool or some cotton/synthetic blend, and then a thicker outer pair of wool socks. Clean socks for each hiking day is highly recommended.
CLOTHING:
COTTON IS NOT YOUR FRIEND ON THE TRAIL. It soaks up moisture, does not dry well, and is heavy.
Bring layers. It will get hot, but it can also get very cold in mornings/evenings or if weather turns. Bring something light and cool to cover up from sun to not burn. Bring light fleece, light puffy jacket, things you can layer under a rain jacket for ultimate warmth. Synthetic, quick dry clothing is important. Comfy sleeping clothes is also a good idea as nights can be a bit cold. Keep your sleep clothes and socks clean for just sleeping...especially if you are using a borrowed sleeping bag.
FOOD:
We eat dehydrated/freeze dried food out on our trips. It makes cooking easy, limits how much fuel we need to bring, and reduces the amount of garbage we have to carry out. These meals are typically around $20 a meal. They can be bought at stores like Canadian Tire, Atmosphere, MEC, Valhalla Pure or online. We also have a stock of some of these meals that can be purchased if you like.
Dehydrated/freeze dried meals simply need hot water added to them to be ready to eat. Things like instant oatmeal for breakfast, or some quick rice or pasta packaged meals from the grocery store are also good options. Just read the label, and make sure they just need hot water added, and not boiled in water.
NO food is kept in tents or in backpacks at the campsite. We put all food in bear bags and suspend them in the air away from animals. Bears are of course a concern, but in our experience the most damage has been done by smaller animals that will chew through all kinds of things to get at something. Anything rubbery or sweaty/salty needs to be put up and not left on the ground.
The DUECE is WILD:
This is leave no trace hiking. We bring a small shovel out with us for digging holes (6" deep) for doing the deuce. The shovel NEVER touches anything but clean dirt! In some areas where ground is too rocky to dig, we look for a big rock to move away, do your deed, and then replace the rock over it. A hole is always better, but sometimes you have to make due. It is VERY IMPORTANT to use as little paper as possible, shove the paper into the ground as deep as you can, cover the hole back with dirt, or replace the rock. LEAVE NO TRACE is the goal, there is nothing worse than seeing evidence of people's business in the woods. ALSO, a stick stuck in the ground right at the hole (or rock) is a great way to mark the spot and warn future diggers of buried treasure best left undisturbed.
Reach out with any other questions or concerns!!
