u/sco06578

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has reference points if Little Elbow Campground southwest of Bragg Creek is open? My family has a camping reservation for tomorrow (Thursday) night.

From my research, I'm getting a lot of conflicting info. On the Alberta Parks website, it looks like there's a general Kananaskis warning that lists Little Elbow Recreation Area, but, it does not list Highway 66 specifically as being closed. Alberta 511 is also showing Highway 66 as open.

My reservation on the Alberta Parks website is still showing as "confirmed", and it looks like it's currently possible to book sites online... so I think that's a green light.

I also called the phone number (403-949-3132), but the person I spoke to gave me conflicting information. She said both that my reservation is being cancelled, and then a moment later said it was confirmed, and I should go there tomorrow. When asking about the road, she said Highway 66 is open, but I should call 403-949-3132 (the same phone number) to verify.

Anyone have any official reference points?

Thanks so much! :)

Hello! Late to the party here, but I'm finally switching from a sleeping bag to a quilt. Not sure I'm really keen on sleeping directly on my camp mat just because of the plastic-y surface (S2S Ether Light XR Pro).

I'm curious if there are any viable options for a fitted sheet that could cover the mat, that I can lay on. I'm having a hard time trying to find any options for a sheet that would work, though -- I have the large rectangular size mat, 198cm long x 64 cm wide.

Any suggestions for something available in Canada?

I also thought about just using a mummy shaped bag liner, but then I'm thinking that would negate being able to stick my legs out from under the quilt, if desired, and that sort of thing.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Hello! I'm looking for suggestions for a roomy bag or quilt in the 0-15 F rating that's available in Canada and not crazy heavy, hoping the group might have some ideas?

I've been using one of the original Nemo Nocturne spoon shaped bags since I got it in 2013 or so. It's a 15-degree F version, long/wide, at 39 ounces.

It's been wonderful -- light enough, super roomy and comfy. I'm a side sleeper and love being able to move around comfortably. However, it's time to replace it. I sleep cold and it's just not keeping me quite warm enough on cold nights anymore.

I'm in Calgary, and am trying to find anything similar to this that's available in Canada. It looks like Nemo bags that are similar nowadays are narrower and heavier, oddly.

It looks like the Enlightened Equipment Enigma might be an option, however, I'm a little nervous having not used a quilt before. It looks like you can get a long/wide 850 fill at 0 degrees for around $750 CAD or so, so that might be an option. I'm 6' 2", 200lb with broad shoulders. But, I'm wondering if the footbox might feel particularly constricting.

Any other suggestions or ideas? Zen Bivy came to mind, but looks like you need to add a substantial import duty.

I'm wondering if to get something warmer and still reasonably light, if it's either just a quilt or mummy bag -- I'd be open to suggestions on either, if that's just what it is.

Major bonus points if there's something I could get that has a good return policy, just in case.

Thanks!

Hello! My family's new to Calgary and this will be our first summer camping and hiking around Kananaskis and Banff.

I was wondering, if you happen to see a bear on a trail or in a campground, should you always report it to Alberta Parks or something like that? Or maybe there's some nuance, like black bears are fine, grizzlies no? Or like, 100 metres away is normal, but "on" the trail is not?

And then a follow up question -- I've got the Rogers cell phone plan where you can send text messages via satellite coverage, where normally you wouldn't have cell coverage. Since you can text but not make phone calls with this plan when you're out in the wild, is there any phone number you should text if this happens? Or, just wait until you're back in cell phone range and call then? Not sure like if you're out backpacking or far away on a hike and you can't call immediately.

For either, who should you call or text?

Thanks so much!