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Hot Chocolate Tasting at Red Heather [Beginner-friendly] · Saturday, March 15th, 2025
Warning: This is an old trip - it already happened
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Start: Saturday, Mar. 15th, 5:00 am
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Mar. 12th, 6:00 pm
Pre-trip meeting location: Clubroom
Description:
Do you love hot chocolate, snow and trees just as much as I do? Well then, this is the perfect trip for you. I'm on a mission to find the best way to make hot chocolate in Vancouver. So, why not have a huge tasting, all while snowshoeing / skinning up a mountain?
So, here's the plan:
We'll drive to good old Red Heather and snowshoe / skin up the trail until we reach the warming shelter (roughly 5km). We will then start making hot chocolate. The goal is for everybody to find their personal favourite!
For variety's sake, we'll be creating a spreadsheet at the pre-trip to make sure we don't double up on any hot chocolate powder / chocolate bars. Everybody will be asked to bring one type. Spices / fruits / herbs welcome. Be creative! I personally love an orange twist, so I might be bringing an orange and a grater. Other ideas are cinnamon and hazelnut.
Since I refuse to use milk powder, I will be carrying up milk. I'd gladly accept help with this from experienced people who don't mind carrying a heavy pack (it'll be empty on the way down, just saying). More at the pre-trip. Let me know if you need a dairy free option!
At some point we will all head back down and drive back to Vancouver, having hopefully found our own personal favourite hot chocolate.
Note for beginners: If you're a beginner snowshoer, that's absolutely fine, I’d love to have you on the trip. I will however only allow experienced backcountry skiers, because this is not an intro to skiing trip.
Note for drivers: please only sign up as a driver if you have winter tires, ideally also chains. More info at pre-trip!
Pre-trip meeting is currently set for Wednesday, March 12th at 6pm in the clubroom. Send me an email if you already know that that time won’t work for you!
Gear Required (stolen and adapted from Duncan's trips)
Everyone has to bring:
BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL GEAR
• snowshoes*, hiking boots*, and gaiters,* OR skis,* skins,* boots,* and helmet*
• ski or hiking poles with large plates*
• sunscreen
• proper backpack*
• headlamp + extra batteries (bring extra headlamps if you have some)
• sunglasses or sun goggles (this is absolutely essential to avoid eye damage)
CLOTHING - DON'T WEAR COTTON, I MEAN IT!
• long underwear (top and bottom)
• midlayer
• warm jacket (fleece or down)
• waterproof jacket (DO NOT LEAVE THIS AT HOME EVEN IF THERE'S NO RAIN, speaking from personal experience)
• waterproof pants
• toque (hat)
• waterproof gloves, ideally two pairs
• non-cotton ski/hiking socks
• something to keep your neck warm: balaclava / buff / neck tube
AVY KIT (ONLY FOR ASTERS POSSIBLY GOING ABOVE THE HUT)
• beacon* + fresh batteries (non-rechargeable)
• shovel*
• probe*
FOR EATING AND DRINKING
• food (lunch that doesn't need cooking, and snacks)
• hot chocolate powder / solid chocolate (+ optional spices / herbs) (more info at pre trip)
• 2L (at least) water
• mug and spoon!!!!!! (for the hot chocolate) (please note I mean camping mugs, don't bring ceramics or I will cry)
• pot (if you have one)
HYGIENE
• toilet paper (there's an outhouse)
• hand sanitiser
Optional gear that might make you happy:
• microspikes (can always be useful in various situations)
• hut booties / sandals / crocs to wear in the shelter if you're skiing
• pocketknife
• hand warmers
WE WILL NEED SOME PEOPLE TO BRING THIS STUFF—BRING IT IF YOU HAVE IT:
• stove with fuel (to speed up the amount of milk we can heat up at once)
• lighter or waterproof matches
• satellite communication device (InReach)
• first aid kit
• something to stir the milk with
* can be rented during VOC Gear Hours
Posted: 2025-02-06 18:49:01
Last modified: 2025-03-02 19:54:59