Winter Backpacking - Thu, Feb 27 2020, Fri, Feb 28 2020

Winter Backpacking (2/27/2020)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:
Event Type:Overnight
Event Location: MacCrea Lake area
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Feb 27 2020, Fri, Feb 28 2020  7:35 AM  (Carpool Departure: 7:45 AM   *log in for location*)
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Feb 26 2020 9:00:00 AM
Event Duration:Two days
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Event Coordinator(s): César
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 18 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:1
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 2 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

The trip will be around the MacCrea Lake. The area is rugged and covered by forest, lakes, and beaver dams.

We will depart Toronto promptly on Thursday, and we will stop briefly along the way for coffee/breakfast before arriving to the trail access point. From there, we will aim to hike/snowshoe 4 to 5 hours before setting camp. The actual distance covered will depend on snow conditions and pace of the group. On Friday, we will break camp, and head back to the cars through the same route. Please read the points below, as they will affect your registration:

  • Please note that this event is classified as a D4 in the Toronto Outdoor Club (TOC) Difficulty Rating Scale. For more information about what this means, please click the corresponding link on the left (blue) column on this page for details.This trip is for experienced winter backpackers, who have the proper gear. If you do not have a winter backpacking history with the TOC, please describe your previous experience in detail in the Notes Section when you sign up, or your registration will not receive further consideration.

  • Everybody will be put on the waiting list right away, and will be moved to list of confirmed attendees upon confirmation of experience and gear requirement is met. Total number of participants will depend on the confirmed numbers of drivers and their vehicle capacity, but will be capped around 8. Please note that people might be moved from the confirmed list to the waiting one if there are not enough drivers, but will be added back to the confirmed one as drivers/cars become available, and as long as the experience and gear requirement is met.

  • Planning will be done by email, so please ensure you can/will respond in a timely manner, or you will be dropped from the trip. I will contact all participants about the logistics once the registration cut-off time has past.

  • Please do not make plans to be back in Toronto on Friday at any specific time, as unforeseen circumstances can contribute to a late return to the city.

    • Required Items to Bring:
  • Backpack, 60 litter or larger
  • Snowshoes, sized for your weight plus the weight of your backpack. If there is not enough snow, traction cleats for your boots would be needed to walk on icy surfaces
  • Winter boot (removable felt liners strongly suggested)
  • Proper winter layers clothing for snowshoeing and at camp
  • -20ᵒC, or lower-temperature, rated sleeping system (sleeping bag(s), sleeping pad(s))
  • Shelter (tarp, tent, hammock, bivy, etc.) - could be shared if there is interest and capacity
  • Food (dinner, breakfast, snacks)
  • Personal bowl/cup/spoon
  • Insulated wide-mouth water bottles to carry at least 2 litters of water
  • Whistle
  • Toilet paper
  • Headlamp
  • Matches/lighter
  • Personal first-aid kit
  • Cash for share of carpool cost

    Group items to bring (to be determined during planning):

  • Snow shovel
  • Saw
  • Kettle

    		• Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • Trekking/snowshoeing poles
  • Camera
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen
  • Stove and fuel
  • There will be a kettle for melting snow, but you might want to bring your own pot if you are planning to cook and not just re-hydrate your meals.

    • How to Get There:
    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):300Km
    Carpool Departure Time: 7:45 AM
    Carpool Location:   Log in for location
    Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
    Carpool Cost: Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $77.40 (calculated at total Km * $0.258, effective Tuesday, December 3, 2024). This is based on $0.08/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Your event coordinator will confirm exactly how much money is required from each person.

    Notes:
    Photo credit: © Cesar Guerra
    - We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines at all times while participating in TOC events.
    - Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
    - Questions about equipment or rentals? Send them to safety@torontooutdoorclub.com.
    - Notice any errors or problems in the information on this page? Please notify our Content Editor(s), Stacy, at content@torontooutdoorclub.com.

    Cost Includes:
  • Please note there is no specific cost associated with this event, but there might be some additional shared costs such as stove fuel, any common meals, and carpool cost. Actual costs will be determined at the end of the trip, so please carry enough cash to cover any common expense.
    •  
    Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
    Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

    Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
    Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!