Taste The Grace JOIN US FOR THE 2 nd ANNUAL Women s Backpacking Trip with Jill Smylie Meganne Acres as our Guide AUGUST 12-15, 2018 For by Grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, -Ephesians 2:8 GENERAL INFORMATION AND EXPECTATIONS Hikers should be in good physical health, expect varying elevation changes (mostly between 8,500 and 10,500) and be able to carry a minimum 25-30 pound pack while hiking. Though we will be on a trail, hikers should expect uneven, wet and hard surfaces. Hikers should be prepared for a wide variety of weather; hot sun at high altitude, wind, rain, and snow. Hikers should be prepared for steep grades and boulder hopping in short durations. Preliminary ITINERARY: Plan to arrive for a 6 pm no host restaurant meal in Laramie the evening of August 12 th and stay at the Canterbury House overnight. We will have time for fellowship, dinner, and backpack loading and equipment checks. Monday August 13 th After an early hearty and provided breakfast we will depart by 8 AM and drive to the Snowy Range about 45 minutes west of Laramie. The departing trailhead along with decisions as to make a shuttle or loop hike will be announced mid to late July via email to each hiker. Regardless, we will hit the trail by late morning in order to reach our base camp (close to North Gap Lake) on Monday in time for set-up, dinner and fire fellowship. Tuesday August 14 th Option Day We will begin with breakfast and sharing on Tasting Grace. We will require a buddy system for these adventures - Our preliminary options for the day will include; this could change dependent on trail conditions. Climb Medicine Bow Peak (11,940) Strenuous Shelf Lake Picnic gentle and short trip from our base camp, fishing, swimming Remain and Relax in camp fishing, reading, explore North Gap Lake, etc. Lewis Lake or Cutthroat moderate with brief difficulty
Everybody returning to camp by to 4pm: Dinner and fireside song and reflections on Tasting Grace. Wednesday August 15 th Breakfast, Break camp and hike to trailhead for return to Laramie (Unless you live west of Snowy Range, in that case, head for home!!) Preliminary estimated time to return to Laramie would be before 3pm. MEALS The food we will pack in will consist of fresh and dried food. The food for breakfast, lunch and dinner will be purchased prior to the trip by hike organizers and then divided up into backpacks on Sunday night in Laramie. We will also have 3 stoves and water filters, plus fuel to carry in. BREAKFAST bacon, pancakes, oatmeal, fruit, tang LUNCHES- sandwich or wrap, carrots, fruit, nuts. DINNERS- dried and packaged meats, noodles, rice, vegetables. Bring your own TRAIL SNACKS granola bar, energy candy, etc. Please indicate on your registration form any food allergies. Plan on being part of a team to help either cook or clean up daily. ABOUT THE AREA The popular Snowy Range is home to jagged peaks, panoramic ridge views, alpine lakes, wildflowers and cold temperatures. The mornings and evenings in the mountains are ALWAYS chilly. Temps can range from 80 degrees down to freezing and below. Wear clothes you would normally wear during fall or early spring at home, and think layering up and layering down. Maybe even a stocking cap for night. If you intend to fish you must have a Wyoming State Fishing License and have your own equipment including flies and/or lures. Rods should break down into short sections for backpacking. Though the Snowy Range has no regulations against dogs, this trip is for women only! WILDLIFE Though grizzly bears are not known in this area, we are in black bear and possible cougar country. We will take all the sensible precautions including the buddy system when away from camp. There are no known poisonous snakes above 7,000 feet in Wyoming, and no known poisonous plants of any kind (to the touch of one s skin.)
BEFORE WE GO Prepare for this trip by walking and/or hiking in the boots you plan to wear, using walking sticks and by wearing a light pack your feet and shoulders will thank you. If possible add some altitude, drinking plenty of water. Specific times will be confirmed later this summer, but in general plan to be in Laramie for a 6 pm dinner on Sunday August 12 th. Canterbury House will be open prior to dinner for unloading. EMERGENCY PROCEDURE We will not have cell phone service for a majority of our hike. If one of us were to become seriously ill or injured during our trip, was in a life-threatening situation and unable to walk, she could potentially be evacuated by helicopter from this area. For a less extreme emergency, we would return to trailhead and transport by vehicle to Laramie for support services. FELLOWSHIP Please know we will make time to pray, worship and fellowship with one another, especially around the campfire each night. We want to emphasize, tasting our Lord s Grace through fun, fellowship, stillness and reflection. COST The fee for this trip is $30.00 per person. That fee will cover the expenses of buying food, camp supplies including cooking fuel, matches, soap, paper goods, toilet paper, etc., first aid kit contents. Please be sure to indicate on the registration form if you would like to be considered for a scholarship. The Canterbury House is owned by the Diocese of Wyoming so there is no expectation of a donation provided we leave the area just as we found it. The dinner Sunday night in Laramie is not included in registration fee. EQUIPMENT Provided for camp use; water filters, stoves, fuel, cooking pots and utensils, cleaning tools, rope, first aid kit, potty pack. Please communicate if there are items from the personal checklist you need, we may be able to supply them from other resources. TENTS- some campers prefer to solo tent, others like tent mates... please indicate your preference on the registration form.
BACKPACK CHECK LIST _ warm coat or sweater _ rain jacket and rain pants _ long sleeve shirt _ short sleeve shirt _ long pants _ pair of shorts _ wicking or smart wool socks _ long underwear _ hat or cap _ wool or fleece cap (for sleeping) _ gloves (light & warm) _ boots with good support _ covered toe camp shoes _ bandana or scarf _ sunglasses _ hiking stick or sticks (if desired) _ fishing gear (if desired) _ mosquito repellent _ sunscreen _ chapstick _ any necessary medications _ backpack _ backpack rain fly or large garbage bag to protect from moisture _ waterproof bags _ Utensils-knife, fork, spoon, bowl and/or plate, mug for hot drinks _ water bottle _ trail snacks _ flashlight with extra batteries _ camera _ toiletry items _ personal hygiene items _ towel, pillowcase, washcloth _ sleeping bag light enough to carry (but suitable for 10 to 20 degrees) _ sleeping pad (the less bulky the better) _ backpacking tent see registration form ****Please remember to leave room in your backpack as our food will be divvied out on Sunday evening***** * if you don t have this item, or if you don t know the suitability of what you have, CONTACT Meganne Acres 307-262-9886
Taste The Grace Women s Backpacking Trip with Jill Smylie Meganne Acres as our Guide AUGUST 12-15, 2018 HIKER S INFORMATION Last name: First: Middle: Date of Birth: / / Street address: Cell phone no.: Home phone no.: ( ) ( ) P.O. box: City: State: ZIP Code: E-mail: EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION Last name: First: Middle: Relationship to you: Street address: Cell phone no.: Home phone no.: ( ) ( ) P.O. box: City: State: ZIP Code: E-mail: Are you covered by insurance?! Yes! No Please indicate primary insurance: INSURANCE INFORMATION Subscriber s name: Subscriber s S.S. no.: Birth date: Group no.: Policy no.: / / Relationship to subscriber:! Self! Spouse! Other I have my own tent and I am:! willing to have a tent mate! prefer to solo-tent! prefer my tent mate to be Would you like to be considered for a scholarship?! Yes GENERAL INFORMATION! No I DO NOT have a tent and I would like to:! borrow and carry it and camp solo! to be matched with a willing tent mate Does the Hiker have any known allergies? (food, medications, bees, etc.)! Yes! No If yes, please list below Please initial that you have read the Itinerary and Checklist. Please initial that you have read and signed the Acknowledgment of Risk/Acceptance of Responsibility & Release of Liability. Please submit your completed registration form and the Acknowledgement of Risk and Release of Liability form with the $30.00 payment by June 1, 2018, made payable to: The Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming 123 S. Durbin, Casper, WY 82601
Taste The Grace Women s Backpacking Trip with Jill Smylie Meganne Acres as our Guide Acknowledgment of Risk Acceptance of Responsibility & Release of Liability This backpacking trip with fellow congregants of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming will include activities including, but not limited to, hiking on and off wilderness trails, walking along streams, meadows, forests, and mountains, camping in wild country which includes bears, and fishing and/or bathing in mountain streams and lakes. Recreational activities like this do carry risk of personal injury. Specifically about hiking: We will be hiking between 7,600 feet and 10,300 feet above sea level. If a person has never hiked at those elevations before it is very difficult to know whether he or she will be affected by altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can be deadly, but it can also be very easily mitigated during the earliest symptoms by assisting that person back to the lowest elevation possible. We ask that you understand your body well and know if you feel you are in danger. This is for your safety. I,, hereby acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to engage in the activities of hiking, camping and wilderness recreation with the Diocese of Wyoming. I understand that the activity of hiking involves numerous inherent risks of injury that are an integral part of such an activity. I assume full responsibility for all such risks, including illness, loss of control, collisions, and obstacles, whether they are obvious or not obvious. I further understand that climactic events such as electric storms may be unexpected and unpredictable and I also assume such risks. I understand that while undertaking every aspect of the backpacking trip I may encounter variations in terrain which may result in injury or damages. I acknowledge that these are my responsibility, and I assume the risk for these hazards, including breaks, growth, debris, rocks, cliffs and other hazardous surface or subsurface conditions and obstacles, whether they are obvious or not obvious, man-made or natural. I understand that animals are unpredictable and that wilderness recreation is dangerous and that the risk of injury is inherent to these activities. I agree to assume all risk of injury or death caused by hiking, whatever the cause, and/or wilderness experience, whatever the cause, except as provided by law.
As consideration for being invited by the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming to engage in these activities and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, I do hereby waive any and all claims and demands and release and forever discharge the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming and the Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming and all of their respective employees, agents and/or representatives of and from any and all claims, causes of action, rights, and demands of every kind and nature whatsoever for any loss, damage or destruction to property and for any injury or death to my person directly or indirectly caused by, arising out of or resulting from my participation in the activities of hiking and wilderness recreation. This contract shall be legally binding upon me, my heirs, my estate, assigns, legal guardians, and my personal representatives. I have carefully read this agreement and fully understand the contents. I am aware that I am releasing certain legal rights that I otherwise may have, and I enter into the contract in behalf of myself and/or my family of my own free will. THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY. DO NOT SIGN OR INITIAL THIS RELEASE IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR DO NOT AGREE WITH ITS TERMS. Signature of Adult Participant Date Signature of Adult Participant Date Members of the family under the age of 18 for which at least one of the above have signed: