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Meanderthals The Meanderthals are a hiking group within the Canmore Seniors Association. The group was formed in 1993 after several seniors wishing to hike, but not alone, got together to hike in our amazing mountains. The initial members numbered 15, but over the last several years, the number has grown to about 170 seniors. Members of the Association can automatically become a member of the Meanderthals. Participants should be able to hike, have good boots and poles and will have to pack a lunch and the necessities for a day's outing in the mountains. There are four levels of hiking groups within the Meahderthals with each group being led by an experienced hiker. The levels are associated with the difficulty of the hike where level “A” is the more difficult, “B” is moderately difficult, “C” is easy, and “D” group the easiest usually on level trails enjoying viewing flowers and birds. There can be multiple groups in each level depending upon the interest in the planned hike. These groups thus accommodate all levels of hiking ability. The number of hikers per level is usually restricted to 12 or 15 with a minimum of 4 per hike as recommended by Parks Canada, for safety reasons. The hiking areas include Kananaskis, Banff, Kootenay, Yoho, and some along the highway to Jasper. Each Thursday morning during the hiking season (April to October or November depending on the snow) the details of the following week's hike and sign-up sheets are posted at the Drop-in Centre south door. The Meanderthals hold two social events during the hiking season, both pot luck suppers, one in mid summer which is a BBQ and the other at the end of the hiking season. The secret of how the groups' name “Meanderthals” came about will be revealed after you join.
Meanderthals on Ha Ling peak
Karst Creek (photo by Carney Wakaryk) |
