I am aware that my participation in Great Outdoors may include potentially hazardous activities and I am voluntarily par
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Matilija Beginner Backpack (Ojai, CA) Matilija: A beautiful, isolated, and rugged river canyon in the Los Padres National Forest, just outside Ojai, CA. Lots of creek crossings, swimming holes, fascinating geology, and opportunities for off-trail adventuring. Some say - a terrific Eden.!
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Join your friends in GO for this easy yet sublimely beautiful and peaceful backpack trip, suitable for anyone's introduction to backpacking, yet enjoyable for someone with even years of backcountry experience. Both times I hiked this on summer weekends, there were very few people on the trail and nobody as far as our camping spot.!
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Carrying a modest load on our backs, and at a moderate pace that everyone can manage, we will be graced with gentle uphill gains as we amble through this stream-carved canyon on a trail largely shaded by oaks, sycamores, and alders. Throughout our hike, we are taken past deep pools and numerous cascades and waterfalls. This affords us almost unlimited opportunity for filtering water to drink, and lots and lots of swimming holes in which to take a refreshing dip. Our destination is the outstanding Middle Matilija Camp, about 4.5 miles from where we park the cars. !
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Immediately adjacent to the creek, Middle Matilija Camp is a large primitive group site with two firepits, old shady oaks, and plenty of flat space to spread out. The trail continues past our camp for an optional day hike further into the wilderness, where one will find Upper Matilija and Maple Camps, though the trail narrows and gets steeper. For those adventurers, rewards abound in the form of more waterfalls and swimming holes. !
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Weather: Expect warmish temperatures during the day, and cooler temps at night. Rain does not cancel: be prepared by bringing a poncho or other rain gear. !
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April 11-13, 2014
Bring: Food for each meal (two breakfasts, three lunches, two dinners, plus snacks), water bottle, sleeping bag and pad, tent (sharing is possible), broken-in hiking shoes/boots, layered clothing, jacket, hat, first aid kit, toilet paper/trowel, compact camp stove, flashlight, sunglasses, sunscreen, entertainment (book, card game, etc). And a backpack to carry it all. It is advisable to bring an animal-proof food storage container (bear canister or hang food from tree). Group may share water filter system. If you don't have something, ASK and we will find one for you to borrow.!
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Cost: $15 per person for GO members, $40 for nonmembers (includes 1-yr membership into GO).!
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Other considerations: ! -Register early as the capacity is ten people.! -Pack-it-in/Pack-it-out: All of our trash waste gets brought back to the cars with us. Great Outdoors practices leave-no-trace camping.! -Since the trail is not a busy one, the trail can be a bit overgrown in some places. Wearing pants keeps legs protected from spiny yuccas and poison oak.!
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Itinerary: ! -Fri, April 11: ***10:00am. Meet at the gated entrance of Matilija Canyon Ranch at the end of Matilija Canyon Rd. Lunch along the trail. Dinner, campfire and games! -Sat, April 12: Morning breakfast, optional day hike, or simply relax all day. Dinner, campfire and games! -Sun, April 13: Morning breakfast, lazily break camp and make way back to the cars.!
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***If you are an experienced backpacker, and you cannot meet the group on Friday morning at 10:00am, you can still come! If you are new to backpacking, it is not advised for you to hike alone, so you must have someone to hike with you. I will give trail directions before the trip.***!
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Driving directions will be given upon registration.
Camping Trip Registration Form - Send completed reg. and trip fee (check payable to Great Outdoors) to: Chris Fava, 3721 Via Pacifica Walk, Oxnard, CA 93035 and please call Chris at 805-509-8240 or email
[email protected] after you send in your check
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Matilija Beginner Backpack, April 11-13, 2014 Can you provide transportation (# People?)_____ Carpooling with? _____________________
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_____ GO Member $15 *Of which chapter are you a member?__________
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_____ Non-Member $40 (includes 1yr membership)
Name (please print)________________________________! Street Address____________________________________! City/State/Zip_____________________________________! G.O. Member #_____________ Chapter_______________! Phone__________________________________________! Email (kept confidential)____________________________! Emergency Contact________________________________! Relationship___________________ Phone_____________! Medical Insurance Carrier___________________________! Grp/Policy #______________________________________! Physician Phone__________________________________!
Health problems/allergies: It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications, and medical history in the event of a medical emergency.
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Waiver of Liability, Medical Release and Assignment ! I am aware that my participation in Great Outdoors may include potentially hazardous activities and I am voluntarily participating in these activities with that knowledge and the understanding that I will use my own best judgment to avoid injury to myself and others. I agree to follow the directions of the trip leader and abide by the rules of the facility I am using. I hereby release Great Outdoors, including its officers, trail or trip leaders, agents or other persons working with said organization from any liability for injuries, physical or mental, which I may suffer by reason of any participation in these activities. I recognize in waiving this liability that I am assuming sole responsibility for my actions and cannot blame any other person connected with Great Outdoors Inc. I hereby agree to assume full financial responsibility for any and all bills incurred by me for medical treatment as the result of my participation in the Great Outdoors activity. In the event that I am unable to consent to medical care, I hereby authorize the trip leader to consent surgery, as may be best determined under the circumstances.
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Sign_____________________________ Date__________
