We'll head out to the Columbia Icefields for
the day to practice glacier travel skills and
crevasse rescue techniques in a practical
setting. Most likely the venue will be the
Athabasca glacier, but the final destination
will be determined by the trip coordinators
based on weather & conditions. We won’t be
aiming to summit a peak on this trip, but
rather we’ll be focusing on safe & efficient
tactics and methods of navigating a glacier.
Some things we’ll practice will include: when &
how to rope up for glacier travel, route-
finding, identifying hazards, building anchors
& placing protection, and simple crevasse
rescue.
This day is ideal for people who have already
had some level of training, instruction, or
practice with glacier travel, and are looking
get some practical experience. It’s ok if
participants haven’t yet actually been out onto
a glacier before (or if their skills are a bit
rusty), but they should have a basic
understanding of main glacier travel concepts
and simple crevasse rescue systems.
Luc and Susan are not professional guides and
this is not a course, but we are willing to
share what we know about safe travel over
glaciated terrain, and can facilitate a good
environment for everyone to practice & develop
their skills.
Required Items to Bring:
Helmet, harness, sunglasses, sunscreen, belay
device, ice tools, personal prussiks, 3
lockers, 4 non-lockers, a 4-6m long prussik
cord, a double length sling, crampons (Note:
pre-fit your crampons to your boots to be
certain they will go on without problems BEFORE
the day of the trip), lots of warm/waterproof
clothes, and a backpack that will fit
everything plus a bit of group gear. If you
have any questions about gear email Susan and
she'll let you know if what you've got is good
enough. We also have some spare gear if you
are short on something, so no need to rush out
to the store right away if you are missing an
item on the list.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Ice screws, draws, pulleys, trekking pole, and any
other gear you'd typically bring (or would like to
try out) for a day on a glacier.
How to Get There:
Event Directions:
We'll be meeting at 10AM at the small parking lot
across from the Columbia Icefield Info Center (by
the gate where the Brewster buses head up to the
snow-coach loading area).
Notes:
Please send a note describing your past glacier
travel training and experience, as well as any
scrambling/climbing experience you think is
relevant to susan.twitchell@gmail.com.
*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.
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Registration for this event closed on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 07:00 PM.