MORE ALBERTA OUTDOOR CLUBS
Chinook Outdoor Club Lethbridge
Evergreen Seniors Outdoor Club Calgary area
Fifth Dimension Outdoor Club Calgary area
MnM Outdoor Club West Calgary
Twisted Blisters Adventure & Hiking Group Wetaskiwin
Meanderthals Camrose
Calgary Area Winter Activities
The SOC in Calgary accepts members 55 and over and takes excursions by bus into the mountains every Friday, year-round. Currently at 250 members, the group enjoys getting out in all seasons through hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and“ icer” hikes( hikes done while wearing ice-cleats). Each trip welcomes individuals at different levels of ability.“ Some folks want to hike a shorter distance and don’ t want to snowshoe; they just want to hike in the winter. They’ ll just put on their icers and they’ ll do maybe eight kilometres or something, whereas someone else in their age group might be doing fourteen or sixteen kilometres, and there may be five hundred metres of elevation gain,” said Karen Hall, president of the SOC.
Another way the SOC ensures safety: new members are entered into the lowest levels of trail difficulty until their fitness levels can be evaluated by a veteran member. Also, each group has trained leaders who carry two radios and emergency satellite beacons. These leaders ensure the group stays together and directs when breaks or changes in the planned route happen.
The social benefits of the SOC are evident.“ There’ s lots of socializing going on, and when you sit down for lunch somewhere in the back forty, there’ s more chances to chat. Then there’ s socializing on the bus trip to and from the mountains,” said Gerry Cyre, program director for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for the SOC.
For winter sports, Cyre recommends wearing many thin, non-cotton layers for warmth and ease of removal. Other than having a basic knowledge of how to cross-country ski or snowshoe, members are required to carry a small fanny pack or light backpack with water, a light lunch, wax for skis, any medications, and emergency contact information. For skiing, having proper ski boots and poles is essential. For snowshoeing, warm boots that are compatible with their snowshoes make the excursion more enjoyable.
Whether you enjoy the rush of adrenaline or a more leisurely pace, there are senior-focused groups throughout Alberta that can help you safely enjoy the crisp winter air of the season.
Adeline Panamaroff is an Edmonton-based writer. When she isn ´ t holing up for the winter, she can be found exploring the Whitemud Creek Ravine. Moose, deer, and the odd coyote have kept her company in the silence that is winter in Alberta’ s parkland.
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