The stats on this trip probably raise a few questions (if not
eyebrows):
1. Why a Monday/Tuesday sequence? Simply put, I
generally do not have my weekends free, so I have to ski
during the week. This will therefore be a trip that appeals
to old retired farts and the unemployed.
2. Where the heck is Larix Creek? It descends from the
lakes S of Sunshine to the N Simpson drainage.
3. Why are we going uphill instead of down? Two reasons:
it's too steep and bushy to ski down despite the advantage
of being able to skin up to or take the gondola to
Sunshine; and, if we go uphill, we can catch a late lunch at
the lodge.
4. Why not do this trip in a day? Because we've hit some
nice spring weather and this is the time to get out and
enjoy the ambience of an overnight trip; and because the
terrain might create conditions that could turn a one-day
trip into an epic (deep trail breaking, steep uphill skiing in
difficult bush, descending the Twin Cairns Ridge). Besides,
this Old Goat would prefer two moderate days with an
overnight pack to one loooong day with a light pack.
Here's the plan:
Day 1: ski up Healy Creek to the Simpson Pass trail sign;
mush up the slopes to the S to the pass; then break trail
in the drainage for about 4.5 km down about 1100' to the
confluence of the N Simpson with Larix Crk. Camp.
Day 2: Ascend steeply NE and NW up Larix Crk for about a
km and 750'; head W up increasingly steep slopes for
another 750' to the spine of the SE ridge of Twin Cairns
Pk.; follow the spine NW for about 1.3 km before
descending to the meadows SE of Standish Chair (note:
there is no safe way out of the canyon below and SW of
Grizzly Lake). Ski over to the Sunshine Lodge for lunch
and a beer, then either take the ski-out back to Borgeau
or, if you've had enough skiing or too many beers, ride the
gondola down.
Note 1: participants should have had some modest
experience with overnight winter camping and with off-
trail ski-touring. Unlike other trips, I don't care what kind
of skis you bring, although AT gear is probably excessive;
and I don't care if you cut cute turns, zig-zag, survival ski,
or even fall down.
Note 2: this trip is weather and avalanche dependent, and
will be cancelled in the event of a blizzard, white-out, or
unstable and unconsolidated snow.
Required Items to Bring:
Overnight gear -- tent, sleeping bag, pad, food/cooking
gear, warm clothes, etc. Headlamp, skins, ice axe, and all
appropriate avi gear (transceiver, probe, shovel). A good
attitude.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Treats for the leader.
How to Get There:
Event Directions:
Everyone knows how to get to Sunshine, right?
Carpool Departure Time:
08:30 AM
Carpool Location:
Shouldice arena
Carpool Directions:
Left off 16th Ave/#1 on Home Rd; parking is almost
immediately to the right and slightly further S
Notes:
PLEASE DO NOT EVEN CONTEMPLATE BAILING ON THIS TRIP
AFTER SATURDAY EVENING -- IF YOU DO, MY FRIENDS IN
THE HELL'S ANGELS WILL VISIT YOU!
Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review our participant responsibility guidelines!
Registration for this trip will terminate at 6:00pm on
Saturday, March 19, and I will organize transportation,
tent groups, and food/stove groups on Sunday morning,
and call everyone in the early afternoon (please supply
your phone number).
*Cancellation Policy*: If a participant is unable to attend a paid course or trip, there will be no refund unless the participant finds a suitable replacement that is acceptable to the trip coordinator. Acceptable waiting list candidates will have priority. It will then be the participant's responsibility to recover funds from the replacement. If the coordinator cancels an event, participants get a refund (less any non-recoverable costs). Note that ACC National does not refund hut fees due to weather, delay, closures, or any other reasons. The Calgary Section of the ACC is a not for profit club and we only charge attendees what it costs us to provide courses or trips.
Trip Feedback If you have any feedback, positive or negative, concerning this trip or any other, we want to hear from you!
Click here to be directed to our "Contact Us" page and contact the appropriate Chair person or the Section Chair. This is also a simple way to make your section executive aware of any praises, suggestions or problems you may have with any area of the Calgary Section of the ACC.
Thank you for your response.
Registration for this event closed on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 06:00 PM.