Guides and Instructions

Avalanche: As many CORE members will be participating in snowshoe and XC skiing activities during the winter months, we need to be aware of avalanche dangers when venturing into the back country or off trail. Several CORE volunteers have taken the Avalanche Awareness course offered by the  Calgary Area Outdoor Council and these courses are ongoing. If you are an event coordinator or even a participant in a back country winter event, make yourself aware to avalanche hazards and conditions. Several links are posted on the CORE Resources page, but here are two excellent sites to reference when planning your winter trips into the mountains:
CSAC Canada for Avalanche Conditions
NSIDC Avalanche Awareness Site (Educational)

Bear:  When recreating in bear country, your best strategy to avoid an encounter with a bear is to make lots of noise, stay in groups and be alert for signs of bears in the area. Diggings, scat, visible tracks and overturned logs and rocks, are all early warning signs that bears are around. In most cases, bears will do their best to avoid people. Most encounters happen because bears are surprised by people, or they are defending their cubs or a kill.

The following list is based on the Wildsmart site which has additional information.

• Always carrying bear spray and air horns.
• Traveling in groups whenever possible.
• Making lots of noise and being aware of your surroundings.
• Leaving wildlife corridors to wildlife and recreate elsewhere.
• Respecting all trail closures and warnings.
• Walking your dog on a leash unless in a designated off-leash area.

Lightning: The following link provides good details on lightning safety.

• MCOFS

General:

• Risk is inherent to any outdoor activity – understand these risks.
• Be prepared for all weather conditions and possible destination changes.
• Know and respect your limits and abilities.

Difficulty Ratings: Regular Hike & Related Events

The following is a general description of the hike ratings as shown in the Hike Schedule. While some hikes may not fit clearly into one of these categories, these ratings should help you to select hikes that match your interests and capabilities.

Remember that the most difficult section of a trip determines the overall trip difficulty.

Easy (E):
Generally less than 10 km in length with elevation gains of less than 300 M and no steep slopes. Well-maintained trails with few if any hazards to footing. A relaxed pace with plenty of opportunities to stop for rests, observe surroundings, and study the flora and fauna, or simply to socialize. This section also includes city walks that are mostly considered easy, although some may be as long as 10 km and may involve some climbing (e.g., Nose Hill Park). Prepare as you would for other hikes, bringing your lunch and adequate water.

Moderate (M):
Typically about 10-15 km in length and/or 300-500 M elevation gain. May have the odd steep sections and rough trail conditions (e.g., exposed roots, rocks or even occasional loose scree). A steady pace is normally maintained with fewer stops than on the easy hikes. Some endurance is required.

Difficult (D):
Typically 15-25 km in length and/or 500-1000 M elevation gain. Likely to encounter steep sections as well as difficult footing (e.g., loose scree). A brisk pace is required and hikers must have both strength and endurance for the distance and the elevation.

Extra Difficult (XD):
Either more than 25 km in length requiring superior stamina, or in excess of 1000 M of elevation gain requiring strong legs, or both. On the major climbs very steep sections are almost certain to be encountered with loose rocks and scree and other hazards (e.g., scrambling over exposed faces or following narrow exposed ridges). Unpredictable weather can greatly increase the hazards.

Anyone afraid of exposed conditions (e.g., narrow ledges or ridges and scrambling over exposed faces) or uncertain of his/her strength and stamina under the most demanding of conditions, should not attempt extra difficult hikes.

 

Snowshoe Events: Special Ratings

Snowshoe events are rated on the grid below according to distance and elevation gain. Trip coordinators should also consider:

• Whether or not breaking trail is required
• The avalanche conditions on the day
• Temperature
• Pace: relaxed, steady, or brisk
• The most difficult section of the trip, which should determine the overall trip difficulty.

Trips may be modified or cancelled if the trip coordinator believes the conditions warrant it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key:

E = Easy
M = Moderate
M-D= Moderate to difficult
D = Difficult
Ex-D = Extra-difficult

Please note: Short steep snowshoe trips may be more difficult that a longer trip with the same elevation gain.  Trips rated D or Ex-D may require the use of climbing snowshoes.

Examples:

E = Hogarth Lakes
M = Warspite Lake
M-D = Chester Lake / Rummel Lake
D = Rummel Pass / Prairie Mountain
Ex-D = Smuts Pass / Buller Pass

 

Cross-Country Skiing Ratings

Rating Descriptions according to Chic Scott’s book, “Ski Trails in The Canadian Rockies”:

Nordic skiing: “Takes place on well-maintained trails, which are usually packed and often trackset”
Ski touring: “Takes you into the backcountry, usually below treeline but sometimes up into the subalpine. Trail breaking is often required”
Ski mountaineering: “Takes you into the alpine zone, high above treeline. Glacier travel is usually involved and a more advanced level of skills is required. One should have solid skiing abilities”
Easy: “These trails are normally suitable for a novice or inexperienced skier (within the parameters of the above trail designations). Route finding is not difficult and there are few hills.”
Intermediate: “These trails are more challenging and will often have steep hills which require more advanced skiing abilities.”
Advanced: “These trails may have extensive sections requiring advanced skiing skills and may also present serious route finding challenges.”

For more detailed ratings according to individual trails (e.g. Boom Lake, Skogan Pass, etc.), please refer to Chic Scott’s book itself: Ski Trails in The Canadian Rockies.

 

Bicycling Trip Ratings

We encourage all coordinators to quote trail ratings provided by either book authors and/or research about the trail to decide on the difficulty rating for your cycle event. Take into account distance, hilliness, amount of motor vehicle traffic, highway shoulder width, road/trail surface, normal wind flow etc.

Choosing an Event
Please familiarize yourself with our rating system. Remember it’s not just a matter of distance and elevation: The total climb could be significantly greater than the elevation gain given in the calendar due to undulating terrain.  Also note that factors like trail maintenance and seasonal conditions can contribute to the difficulty of some events.

Your physical condition, experience, and equipment are important factors when selecting an event. Be honest with yourself.  If an activity is new to you, you may want to start with an easy rating level. Do not select an event beyond your ability. Coordinators have the right to exclude your participation in an event if they think you do not have the ability or correct equipment.

Members are encouraged to check the calendar regularly to obtain up-to-date information on events including coordinator contact information, additions to the schedule, changes or cancellations.

Registering
Check the calendar regularly to obtain up-to-date information.  Click on events in the calendar display for a popup window with further details including coordinator contact information, meeting times, restrictions, etc. Ask the Coordinator any questions that may help you understand if the event is what you think it is and whether it is appropriate to your abilities and what you need to prepare for or bring to the event. Additional guidelines:

• Please try to register early, preferably at least 24 hours in advance.
• Please do not call coordinators after 9 PM any day.
• Remember that some events may have a limit on the number of participants.
• If the Coordinator does not know your ability, be prepared to answer some questions in that regard.
• Please inform the coordinator if you wish to bring children and/or dogs on the trip.  It is up to the coordinator to decide whether the trip is suitable for children or dogs.
• It is advisable to inform the Coordinator of any medical condition you have that could affect your participation in the event.
• The Coordinator will tell you when and where to meet.
• If the time and place are given in the calendar, do not assume that this means you can simply show up and go.
• Arrive at the meeting place before the designated departure time.
• If the Coordinator cancels or changes the event, he or she will attempt to contact everyone who has registered.
• Please inform the Coordinator as soon as possible if you decide not to participate.

CORE members are encouraged to contribute to the club in some way, such as arranging a hike or a social event. Be a Coordinator!

All coordinators should read and understand the Coordinator’s Guidelines. These guidelines cover such matters as:

• How to post events in the calendar: See Instructions in Members-Only section.
• Difficulty ratings for hiking or other activities
• What to ask and tell members when they register
• What event management responsibilities you have

Anyone interested in becoming a coordinator:  Please contact CORE’s Executive Trip Coordinator, either in person (at a monthly club meeting) or by email (through the link under “Contact Us”) prior to posting an event.  New coordinators are expected to have an experienced CORE coordinator along to help manage their first event, and CORE has a mentoring program in place to provide assistance.

Regarding Children:

Children are permitted on SOME Events. This is at the discretion of the Trip Coordinator. Please check with the coordinator if you wish to bring children on the trip.  It is up to the coordinator to decide whether the trip is suitable for children. CORE will not allow children to participate in any carpool. Parents will be responsible for transporting their own children.

For safety reasons, events with fewer than 4 people are not officially recognized by CORE.

Stay with the group at all times during the trip for everyone’s safety, unless the Coordinator has split up the group into subgroups of at least four people. Please be aware of the location of others in your group.  Always wait for EVERYONE at junctions or pre-arranged stopping points.  (This will allow for group reshuffling or any other changes in plans.)

Upon returning to the trailhead, all participants should wait for the whole group unless a car-pool has arranged with the Coordinator to leave early. The Coordinator will inform you of mileage and cost guideline used for car pooling.  Passengers: please pay your driver at the end of the trip.

If approved by the Coordinator, club members can bring a guest along on an event that suits the guest’s ability. The Coordinator will require that they sign a separate Guest Waiver of Liability prior to leaving the meeting point.  The member MUST accompany the guest on the event and will ensure that the guest has the proper clothing and equipment. The member MUST acknowledge his/her responsibility by initialing the column provided on the “Waiver of Liability” form.  There are no exceptions to the guest rules.

Many of us have taken a pine cone or rock, veered off the trail to dodge mud puddles, gotten too close to wildlife or tossed an apple core into the woods. While these actions may seem harmless at the time, until we learn to reduce our impact, the quality of our outdoor experiences and the recreational resources we enjoy are at critical risk. Also at risk is our continued access to wildlands as land management agencies sometimes take restrictive action to protect the resources they manage. Unless, of course, education catches up with behavior, and we all learn to leave the outdoors as unchanged as possible by our presence.

The Solution: Leave No Trace believes that while these impacts are widespread and the causes are complex, the solution is simple: Change behavior through education, research and partnerships one person at a time. Leave No Trace is not a set of rules or regulations. Nor is it simply about remembering exactly what minimum impact skill you can practice in every outdoor situation–how far you should camp from water sources, where to pitch your tent, how to build a minimum impact fire or if you should build one in the first place. Rather, it is first and foremost an attitude and an ethic.

Leave No Trace is about respecting and caring for wildlands, doing your part to protect our limited resources and future recreation opportunities. Once this attitude is adopted and the outdoor ethic is sound, the specific skills and techniques become second nature.

Cyclists are expected to come with proper clothing and appropriate gear. Coordinators may refuse to allow anyone not adequately equipped to participate on the trip.

Clothing:

• Cycling shorts
• Cycling shoes
• Cycling jersey or shirt made from moisture wicking material
• Light fleece or sweater (not cotton)
• Bright colored wind breaker jacket
• Tights
• Cycling gloves
• Rain Gear
• Warm gloves
• Fleece sweater and neck tube

Equipment:

• Helmet
• Cycling glasses (UV filtering)
• Sunscreen
• Inner tubes
• Patch kit
• Tire Irons
• Pump
• Allen keys
• Screwdriver (straight & crosspoint)
• Chain lube
• Rag/hand cleaner

Parts:

• Spare cables
• Spare brake pads
• Spare cleat hardware for your shoes
• Spare spokes
• Spoke wrench
• Chain tool/quick link
• 5 mm thread nuts and bolts

The following clothing and gear details apply to outdoor trips, in particular to Hiking & Walking, Scrambling, Snowshoeing, and X Country Skiing.

Pack: A 25 to 40 litre pack with a wide hip belt and chest strap as well as a plastic liner bag for those wet days.

Socks: A two-sock layer system provides comfort and helps to prevent blisters. Thin synthetic socks keep your feet dry by wicking away moisture. Thicker synthetic, wool, or blend socks provide warmth and cushioning. It is a good idea to carry extra socks in your pack.

Gaiters: Calf height gaiters help keep snow, mud, stones, and moisture out of your hiking boots and off your pants, and provide additional warmth when needed. Short ankle height gaiters can also be used to keep stones and snow out of hiking boots.

Clothing: The suggested list of clothing to wear or to carry in your pack varies with the seasons:

• Wide brim sun hat protects from UVA rays
• Long sleeves protect arms from cold, insect bites, sunburn, and scratches
• Light fleece, wool shirt
• Undershirt, long johns for cold weather
• Windproof or waterproof breathable shell jacket
• Windproof or waterproof breathable pants
• Shorts or pants (zippered pants ventilate/warm pants if wearing shorts)
• Socks (thin & thick)
• Sweater
• Tough gloves for bushwhacking
• Fleece or wool toque or quick-dry, fleece-lined hat with visor & ear covers
• Balaclava and a scarf
• Outer insulating layer for extended stops, for example, for lunch (Down jackets are very
  warm & compressible)
• Wearing bright colors (red, yellow, orange) makes you more visible to the rest of the group or to searchers if you become lost

Essentials: Sunglasses and sunscreen (high UVA, UVB protection)

First Aid Kit: Each hiker should have his/her own first aid kit. Suggested items include:

• Band-Aids (assorted sizes)
• Moleskin, 2nd skin (for blister prevention and care)
• Personal medications including Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Rolaids, antibiotic cream
• Candies for mild hypothermia, diabetic emergency
• Dressings (assorted sizes), gauze pads and swabs
• Triangular bandage, tensor bandage, adhesive tape
• Steri-strips, antiseptic wash, pads, quick splint
• Scissors, tweezers, safety pins, mirror
• Notebook, pencil and first aid book

Other Important Items:

• Bear (pepper) spray (no replacement for common sense)
• Shoe & clothing change to wear back in the car
• Sit-upon to keep your bottom warm and dry during stops
• Plastic bag for boots
• Map, compass, altimeter, GPS
• Camera, umbrella
• Lip balm, insect repellent, toilet paper
• Duct tape ­ multiple uses
• Hiking/ski poles
• Needle, thread, spare pack buckles
• Whistle, pocket knife, water tablets
• Fire starter ­ matches, lighter, small candles
• Light shelter ­ 2 large garbage bags, space blanket
• Headlamp ­ or flashlight, spare batteries
• Membership Card with Emergency Contact

Hikers are expected to come with proper clothing and appropriate footwear. Weather changes in the mountains are often unpredictable and sudden. It is recommended that you adopt a layered look including lightweight rain gear. It is also important to include in your pack your lunch, snacks, an adequate water supply (1-2 litres, more for a long hot day), and other beverages as desired.

• Hiking uses 60% more calories per hour than normal walking.
• Always carry extra food and water on longer trips or where there is substantial elevation gain.

Hike Coordinators may refuse to allow anyone not adequately equipped to participate on the hike.

Please refer to the Common Gear section above for detailed information on clothing, packs, first aid and other gear.

Boots: The boots you choose to wear will be one of the most important articles you bring. You want footwear to fit properly and to keep your feet dry, warm, and well supported. Running shoes and other casual footwear will not keep your feet dry when going through mud, and not warm when traveling over snow -­ yes, even in summer! They do not offer adequate support and footing on steep trails or off trail scrambles. New lightweight trekking boots (i.e., Merrell) are fine for most easy and even moderate rated hikes. Sturdy waterproof boots are required for scree, rough terrain, backpacks and scrambles where a variety of conditions are encountered. Other points to consider:

• Wear new boots around town first to detect any problems
• Tight boots can cut off circulation causing cold feet and pinched toes
• Loose boots can cause blisters
• Insoles provide extra insulation and cushioning

Light runners or sandals for stream crossings should also be included where required.

Participants are expected to come with proper clothing, footwear, and appropriate gear. Coordinators may refuse to allow anyone not adequately equipped to participate on the scramble.

Please refer to the Common Gear section above for detailed information on clothing, packs, first aid and other gear.

Scrambling Gear:

• Helmet (climbing helmet preferred)
• Headlamp (useful for those scrambles that require hiking out out in the dark)
• Boots, mountaineering, or backpacking type (good ankle support and also it you go down scree helps to keep the rocks out of your boots)
• Hiking Poles
• Ice Axe (snow ascents, winter scrambling)
•  Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction Device or, Camp Quattro Four Point Instep Crampons (Unisex), Camp 6‑Point Instep Crampons (all are available at MEC).
• Extra clothing layers (it get colder as you go up to the top of the mountain, weather changes fast in the mnts. either rain or snow, it can get windy fast in the mtns.)
• Garden gloves or bike gloves (scrambling to protect your hands from sharp rocks)
• Extra pair of warm gloves or warm mitts to keep your hand warm (either winter or during wet conditions (rain)).
  –toque, headband, neck warmer, hat (waterproof) also keep the sun off your head
• Proper jacket with hood to keep your head warm, waterproof, windproof, keep you warm
• Rain Gear
• Hand warmer or foot warmers (Chemical). These are very important for emergencies when the weather gets nasty and help to avoid frozen hands.
• GPS, proper maps, compass, and well written route description are very useful tools in navigation
• SPOT (Satellite messenger) , Personal locator beacons(PLB), and/or satellite phones (cell phones have limited coverage in the mountains).
• Full First Aid kit along with a quick access Second First Aid kit  (bandaids, wipes for blood, etc). You always get cut on the sharp rocks when you scramble.
• Pad to seat on for lunch, protects you from the cold ground or cold rock (sharp rocks too). Pad is also used for first aid emergencies too.
• Knife
• Survey tape – mark important locations so we can find our way back down the mountain safely. You can get lost and go the wrong way down a mountain. Some people have gotten into trouble this way. Your route going up may look different when you go down. Survey tape is also easier to see from a distance, better than rock cairns.

Additional Notes from Harv K.:

I have used Kahtoola MICROspikes but found they were not tough enough the plastic eyelets broke over time. I just bought the Camp 6 point instep crampons, which are more like a conventional crampon. These crampons are used as a assist, as they help you on going up and down snowy peaks. If you are winter scrambling eg snow and ice microspikes or light crampons are very important, so is an ice axe ( you also need to know how to use a ice axe eg self arrest stuff).
(I also have real crampons which I use for glacier travel on ice and snow ascents.)

GPS, proper maps, compass, (Guide books) well written route description are very useful tools in navigation,
The Internet (trip reports for other people who have done the scramble, which might include a trail description, map, photos and GPS coordinates of the scramble, eg they is a ton of good beta on the internet and you can connect by email with those people

SPOT – I always try to send a SPOT message to tell my wife that I am ok, when I am on the scramble, this is important as some scrambles may go on for 10 hours or more. SPOT device  sends a canned message via satellite by the internet (email). I sometimes phone her too to brag that I have made it to the top of the mountain…lol. Really just to check in that I am ok, I also will phone her when I get down from the mountain to tell her I am ok.

Participants are expected to come with proper clothing, appropriate footwear, and proper gear. Winter trips demand extra planning and preparedness to deal with sudden weather changes and cold temperatures. It is recommended that you adopt a layered look including extra clothing for lunch stops or unexpected delays. It is also important to include in your pack your lunch, snacks, an adequate water supply, and hot beverages as desired.

Coordinators may refuse to allow anyone not adequately equipped to participate on the snowshoe trip.

Please refer to the Common Gear section above for detailed information on clothing, packs, first aid and other gear.

Boots: Winter grade boots that include insulation are recommended, along with designs that are compatible with snowshoes and the binding systems.

Snowshoe Gear:

• Adjustable poles with snow baskets & wrist straps
• Snowshoes with synthetic decks and bindings that can be adjusted without removal of all hand coverings. The bindings should have strong crampons bolted in varying pattern underneath for the length of your boot. Finally, the snowshoes should be light weight (~2kg) but large enough to support your weight & the weight of your loaded pack.
• Small pad to sit on at lunch time

Places to rent snowshoes:

• Mountain Equipment Co-op (830-10 Ave. SW, 403-269-2420)
• University of Calgary Outdoor Program Centre (E of the Olympic Oval @ University of Calgary, 403-220-5038)
• Spirit West (1210-11 Ave. SW, 403-263-1381)
• Sports Rent (4424-16 Ave. NW, 403-292-0077)

Please refer to the Common Gear section above for detailed information on clothing, packs, first aid and other gear.

Buying New Equipment: There are a couple of excellent stores which specialize in Cross-Country skiing in Calgary: Lifesport in Kensington and The Norseman in SW Calgary. They are very good at sizing and fitting gear. Mountain Equipment Co-op also sells cross country gear, but selection tends to be more limited than The Norseman and Lifesport. Out of town, there is Trail Sports at the Canmore Nordic Centre and Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise.

Rentals: In town, rentals are offered at the University of Calgary Outdoors Centre, Sports Rent, MEC and Canada Olympic Park. Out of town, Trail Sports at the Canmore Nordic Centre rents classic and skate equipment and Wilson Mountain Sports rents touring and classic equipment.

Equipment Checklist:

• Skis
• Poles
• Boots – make sure they are a good fit and warm
• Warm clothes, dress in layers. No cotton on the bottom layer, including socks
• Warm hat that covers the ears
• Wind/water resistant outer layers
• Mitts/gloves
• Wax (if the skis are waxable) – there are starter packs available at the ski shops that have 3 hard waxes, a cork and a scraper.
• Water bottle and holder
• Dry clothes for afterwards

XC Ski Technique and Waxing Tips: There are many resources on the web that offer tips on how to improve your cross-country skiing technique.

• XC Ski world – A good source of information on technique, waxing and training, especially for beginners
• Keith Nicol video demonstrating classic ski technique and some drills to help you improve.
• Keith Nicol’s Cross Country Skiing Tips page.
• CANSI (Canadian Association of Ski Instructors)
• Swix waxing technique videos and how-to wax manuals  for beginner to advanced skiers
• The Master Skier – a large collection of very informative articles from The Master Skier gear towards advanced and competitive skiers

Easy XC Ski Trails: Some members have asked for a list of easy snowshoe/x-country skiing locations posted on the website so beginners would have some idea of where they should be going. Here is a short list that we could recommend as near, safe and easy.

Shaganappi Golf Course – located just off of Bow Trail, providing Calgarians with a central location to cross-country ski in the city. When there is enough snow Shaganappi is groomed for classic skiing.

Fish Creek Provincial Park – located south of Anderson Road, offers cross-country opportunities during the winter season. Generally, the most consistent snow conditions are in the west end (24th street or 37th street entrance), where there are trails suitable for the novice and more experienced skier. The cross-country ski trails are not groomed and are available during park hours. Accessibility will depend on the snow cover and winter temperatures. There is no cross-country ski rental concession in the park.

West Bragg Creek – It takes you less than an hour to get to Bragg Creek townsite and another 20 minutes or so to the ski area. The trails are well marked on the map, and interlinking so you can easily shorten your trip if you get tired.

Ribbon Creek – Approximately 60 km of trails are groomed for cross-country skiing near the Nikiska Ski area in the Kananaskis Village/Ribbon Creek section of Kananaskis Country. With between 20 and 30 cm of fresh snow over the past few days, the Ribbon Creek trail system is enjoying its best conditions of the season in years. Please exercise caution on all trails and if venturing into the backcountry, ensure you consult the Kananaskis Country backcountry avalanche report.

Pocaterra – a free XC ski and hiking area in Peter Lougheed park. There is a hut at the parking lot to warm up in and many trails to choose from. About a 90 minute drive from NW Calgary.

You can also consult the SkiHere Blog for trail conditions around Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho and West Bragg Creek.

Avalanche Awareness and Safety: If you venture off of groomed trails, be sure you acquaint yourself with avalanche risks in the area. Here are two excellent sites to reference when planning your winter trips into the mountains:

• CSAC Canada for Avalanche Conditions
• NSIDC Avalanche Awareness Site (Educational)

The Guides and Instructions page has additional detailed information on avalanche safety information.

…enjoy and play safe.

CORE members: The Calendar is for posting events sponsored by CORE, or organized by a CORE event coordinator. Please do not use the Calendar as a bulletin board for advertising outside events.

If you are a new event coordinator, please contact the Executive Trip Coordinator before planning and posting an event.

All event coordinators must read the Guidelines.

1.  Once you have your trip planned, proceed to the CORE Club Calendar:

2. Click on the number for the day of the month you want to add your event on. A new screen will pop up. This is where you can “add” new events or “Edit” existing events.  The “Existing Events” page should appear if there are existing events for that day.  Click on “Add New Event” in this case, otherwise you will already be in the “Existing/Add New Event” page to make any edits to existing events.
(If necessary, first move to a future month using the yellow and grey coloured “Navigate” section near the top of the screen.)

3. Confirm that the Event Date is correct in the “From” field.  If not, click on the correct date by clicking anywhere in the “From” field and a calendar will pop up.  If you are posting a multi-day event, click on the “fourth box/field” over where the “end” date appears. Fill in your ending date in this field.

4. Optionally, enter a start time and end time into the “time” fields” at the upper right in between the dates.  Blanking these out is okay, and in fact it encourages would-be participants to call or email you.  If you do enter times, they will appear in the calendar prefixing the main text.

5. Type an event title into the “Event Text” white box near the upper left.  This is a vital field.  Give it a title that indicates the main destination, event type, elevation, difficulty and approx. duration. For example, “Pigeon Mountain day hike (M)”, or “Yoho Weekend”.    Keep the entry short (under 14 words recommended).

6. Use the arrow key beside the “Category” field, and select a type of event from the drop-down menu.  This is an important field as it records the type of event for database use.  Note, however, that it does not print in the description, so you still need to include it there too.

7. In the “Details” field, enter:

• the name of the event
• the type of event (e.g. hike, urban walk, snowshoe trip)
• description of expected scenic highlights
• difficulty rating (Easy, Moderate, Difficult, eXtra Difficult))
• distance in kilometers and elevation gain in meters
• any special gear required such as bike helmets, climbing helmets, snowshoes or skis
• Optionally, enter a meeting place and time if you don’t need people to register
• Enter your name and contact information: telephone number and/or email address
• If desired, also enter a Web address (URL) that links to more information about where you’re going.  An example would be the Web site for Sunshine Village.

8. At your discretion, you may set a limit on the number of participants and/or skill level required to join a trip. You should indicate those limits in the initial trip posting and revise the posting later to indicate when the event is all booked up.  You may also maintain a waiting list of other potential participants who have expressed interest in the trip.

9. You can leave the “Colours” field as “default” or the “Colour select” button to choose your own text and background colours.  Be aware that some colour combinations are very hard to see!

10. Email notification: This can greatly enhance and expedite member knowledge of your event:  To have notification go out as an email to CORE members who have signed up for it, type this email address into the “To” field: coredotcalendar@gmail.com .

Important Note! Notification is sent as soon as you click on the “green” Create Event” tab just above, and any time you make a change to your post if this address is in the “To Field”. So consider delaying emailing an event until you have reviewed it first on the calendar, or if your event is too far in advance (and thus details are subject to change).

Also note that there is an Email Reminders field under the primary Email Notification box, where you can set up to two reminders closer to the date of the event. If you are doing advance planning, this is a good way to delay sending out notifications that are more relevant to the actual date of your event.

11. The “Comments” field is where you can add any additional information.

12. When done, click the “Create Event” (green tab) just above the email notification section.  The CORE calendar is now updated with your event.

13. Click on “View Calendar” yellow button in the upper left hand corner to see your event entry as it appears in the calendar.

14. If editing is required (such as choosing new colours, correcting a typo, or canceling the event) then click on the date number again, and choose the “Edit” button that is beside your event name.  Make sure that you are editing your own event – sometimes there are several entries on the same calendar date!   (Note! If you’re going to do a lot of editing, remove the “broadcast@corehike.org” from the Email notification’s “To” field!  — otherwise you’ll wind up broadcasting every change you make– i.e. Too many broadcast Emails!). Make your changes, and then click on the “Submit” button to activate them.

Privacy note: when adding titles or comments to posted pictures, please respect your own and other peoples’ privacy. Restrict names to First Name & optional last name initial (e.g. Frederika W.)

Policy: When leaving a photographic record of your outing, please limit the number of photos, and avoid duplicates. Being concise these days is a virtue, so choose photos that make the best story of your terrific outing in as few pictures as possible.

There are several ways that you can upload photos to the CORE Fotki albums, both from the perspective of how you organize your photos on your personal computer, and the different tools that Fotki provides for account holders (e.g. COREhike) to upload photos. The steps described here represent just one (Simple Java Fotki Upload) of the Fotki tools available. You may try others. If you do create a misplaced folder or album in the process, please email the CORE webmaster, and she/he will do their best to correct it. Open or download the “How to Upload CORE Photos” efile for exact instructions.

Note:  Avoid using Fotki’s “Order Print” or “Order Postcard”; download the picture instead.  See “Photo Downloading” section for instructions (and the reason why “Ordering” doesn’t work.)

Note: We’ve observed that it’s not a good idea to order CORE photo prints via Fotki, due to the fact that CORE’s Fotki site is “tied” to an internal CORE E-mail address (i.e. and not yours) — thus you won’t see the confirmation E-mails. 

Instead, if you want a photo printed, download the full-res version from the Fotki/CORE website, put it on a flash drive or similar device, and take it to London Drugs (or wherever) or some online service where you have a private account.

Instructions:

1.    Select the Photo from a particular album. E.g.:

http://public.fotki.com/corehike/2013/emerald-lake-burges/mtburgess.html

2.    Select the “Download Original File” icon (down arrow) on the Fotki tool bar above the photo. This will download the hi- res picture file if the author originally uploaded a hi-res picture (note to CORE photo takers, if you have some really good hi-res photos that you want upload, do so without fear, CORE pays for the privilege.).

http://images14.fotki.com/v390/fileFmY4/8146c/5/263675/12319272/MtBurgess.jpg

3.    Right click on the photo and “Save Image As” to your computer (e.g. Save it to a temp folder on your PC).

4.    Drag it to a memory stick and take it to your fave print shoppe or online service.