A trek to Bennett Cabin is a must-do for all members at some point in the winter. When the conditions are good, it takes the classic skiing experience to a different level.
A group ski to Bennett Cabin is planned for Sunday, March 7th, conditions permitting.
Simply put, this is a challenging route: Bennett is 5 km north of Tanney Cabin on wilderness trail. Not for the faint of heart!
Scroll through the posts to Feb. 28th for more details. Feel free to use this forum topic if you have any questions about the Bennett ski!
Marcus Elia
Bennett Cabin Ski March 7th 2010
6 posts • Page 1 of 1
Bennett Cabin Ski March 7th 2010
by marcus on Thu 07-Jan-10 20:27
Last edited by marcus on Sun 28-Feb-10 21:33, edited 4 times in total.
- marcus
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- Joined: Wed 13-Feb-08 20:18
Re: Bennett Cabin Ski 2010
by marcus on Mon 18-Jan-10 20:15
Trail update... On Saturday (Jan.16th), with no work trucks around, I ditched my skis at Kenner&Owl and walked up the logging road to the Bennett trailhead to check out snow conditions. In a word: plenty!
I had brought snowshoes for the purpose, and good thing I did-- Once on the trail I was still sinking in a good six inches, my snowshoe tails flicking snow all over my back with every step. Skiing should be wonderful once the trail is packed.
On Sunday the 24th I plan to do more snowshoeing and trail maintenance. If you're interested in helping, please give me a call and I'll discuss specific plans with you.
Marcus
743-6363
I had brought snowshoes for the purpose, and good thing I did-- Once on the trail I was still sinking in a good six inches, my snowshoe tails flicking snow all over my back with every step. Skiing should be wonderful once the trail is packed.
On Sunday the 24th I plan to do more snowshoeing and trail maintenance. If you're interested in helping, please give me a call and I'll discuss specific plans with you.
Marcus
743-6363
- marcus
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed 13-Feb-08 20:18
Re: January Bennett Ski POSTPONED
by marcus on Tue 26-Jan-10 19:18
On Sunday (Jan 24th) I walked up to Bennett on snowshoes with a saw, clearing small trees off the trail. Some observations:
-Despite sections of good snow cover there were also nasty bare spots on the rock ridges. That was before the rain passed through.
-Some of the low-lying areas, which often settled under my weight as I walked in, were puddles when I walked back out. After the rain and mild weather I expect them to be even wetter.
The group ski to Bennett is therefore POSTPONED until Saturday, February 6th. The forecast is for cold temperatures and more snow next week. Do that snow dance!
p.s: someone had cleared a couple of larger trees from the first 500 m of trail before I got there. Thank-you to the mystery chainsawer!
-Despite sections of good snow cover there were also nasty bare spots on the rock ridges. That was before the rain passed through.
-Some of the low-lying areas, which often settled under my weight as I walked in, were puddles when I walked back out. After the rain and mild weather I expect them to be even wetter.
The group ski to Bennett is therefore POSTPONED until Saturday, February 6th. The forecast is for cold temperatures and more snow next week. Do that snow dance!
p.s: someone had cleared a couple of larger trees from the first 500 m of trail before I got there. Thank-you to the mystery chainsawer!
- marcus
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed 13-Feb-08 20:18
Bennett Cabin Ski POSTPONED indefinitely
by marcus on Wed 03-Feb-10 20:16
I took a walk in to Bennett today from Jack Lake Rd to investigate trail conditions. Having walked over many patches of bare rock and grass (!!) along the 250m of trail south of the cabin, I have the unfortunate task of postponing the group ski to Bennett INDEFINITELY.
The trail needs a good 10-15 cm of snow to mitigate unnecessary wear and tear on skis and skiers. In current conditions both of those outcomes are, in my opinion, more likely.
Many thanks to Peter Tiesma and Conrad Hill who had gone in before me to clear the trail from Jack Lake Rd. to the cabin.
Any intrepid souls still planning a ski to Bennett must remember several points:
-Let friends and/or Ski Patrollers know about your plans;
-bring a cellphone and ski with a buddy;
-bring lots of water and snacks;
-use this trail AT YOUR OWN RISK (as is the explicit policy of KNSC on all trails).
Marcus
The trail needs a good 10-15 cm of snow to mitigate unnecessary wear and tear on skis and skiers. In current conditions both of those outcomes are, in my opinion, more likely.
Many thanks to Peter Tiesma and Conrad Hill who had gone in before me to clear the trail from Jack Lake Rd. to the cabin.
Any intrepid souls still planning a ski to Bennett must remember several points:
-Let friends and/or Ski Patrollers know about your plans;
-bring a cellphone and ski with a buddy;
-bring lots of water and snacks;
-use this trail AT YOUR OWN RISK (as is the explicit policy of KNSC on all trails).
Marcus
Last edited by marcus on Sun 28-Feb-10 21:32, edited 1 time in total.
- marcus
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed 13-Feb-08 20:18
Re: Bennett Cabin Ski March 7th 2010
by marcus on Sun 28-Feb-10 21:30
The snow is back... but not for long! As the edited message at the top of this thread states, the Bennett Cabin ski is on for Sunday, March 7th 2010.
Please note the following rough itinerary:
9:30 Meet at Tanney Cabin (NOT WOODfine Chalet) for snack and wax
9:45 Depart Tanney for Bennett
12:00 Re-group at Bennett Cabin
1:00 Last skiers depart Bennett
Many readers know full well the difference between this route and the other, groomed trails. The steep hills and rugged conditions demand experience, fitness, and material (food, water, wax) preparation.
Please see earlier posts for reminders about preparations and risks. If you have any questions about the ski, post here. Among the readers of this forum there are people with many years of experience on these trails (far more than this writer)!
Please note the following rough itinerary:
9:30 Meet at Tanney Cabin (NOT WOODfine Chalet) for snack and wax
9:45 Depart Tanney for Bennett
12:00 Re-group at Bennett Cabin
1:00 Last skiers depart Bennett
Many readers know full well the difference between this route and the other, groomed trails. The steep hills and rugged conditions demand experience, fitness, and material (food, water, wax) preparation.
Please see earlier posts for reminders about preparations and risks. If you have any questions about the ski, post here. Among the readers of this forum there are people with many years of experience on these trails (far more than this writer)!
- marcus
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed 13-Feb-08 20:18
Re: Bennett Cabin Ski March 7th 2010
by marcus on Mon 08-Mar-10 20:51
Two intrepid souls trekked to the Bennett Cabin on March 7th and enjoyed a fantastic day out. From Tanney, transit to Bennett was about 1.75 hrs, 1.25 hrs back. The snow was soft and fast, with very few bare patches.
When we got back to Tanney at about 2:30 we decided to make it a 3-cabin day and finished the outing via Laderach. We're already plotting next year's Bennett ski!
Some pictures to tell the story:
Robert on the porch at Bennett. Incredible blue sky and deep white snow.
Perfect tracks all the way back
Inukshuk along the way
Cabin #3
When we got back to Tanney at about 2:30 we decided to make it a 3-cabin day and finished the outing via Laderach. We're already plotting next year's Bennett ski!
Some pictures to tell the story:
Robert on the porch at Bennett. Incredible blue sky and deep white snow.
Perfect tracks all the way back
Inukshuk along the way
Cabin #3
- marcus
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed 13-Feb-08 20:18
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