Thanks to Dana Engler for the previous trip
posting, modified here.
This is a classic, long wilderness ski
traverse. Participants must have a good deal
of ski touring experience, and winter camping
experience. The challenge is high to complete
the 75 kms of this traverse in 3 days, but we
will have the benefit of 13+ hours of
daylight and an ACC National guided group a few
days ahead who will have (hopefully) broken
trails for us
(www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/adventures/winter-
adventures/drummond_bonnet_2016/). However, if
the going is too slow, we also have the option
to bail out at Skoki Lodge/Lake Louise and
complete the Drummond glacier traverse only (50
km in 3 days). There is not much time to relax
and attempt peaks on this trip. The traverse
involves some big avalanche terrain too.
Proposed plan
Day 0: Thursday April 14 in the evening:
drive to Castle Mountain hostel, and get ready
for the next 3 days
Day 1: Friday April 15: get up super early
for a super duper big day. Leave a car at Moose
Meadows, then drive to Mosquito Creek. Start
the 28-km day by a 800-m ascent to North Molar
Pass, followed by a 650-m descent to the
Pipestone River, and finally a 1,000-m ascent
unto the Drummond glacier where we plan to set
camp. This is the make it or break it day.
Day 2: Saturday April 16: get up early for
another hearty day: 24 km and 950-m descent to
the Red Deer River, followed by a 900-m ascent
to the Bonnet glacier, plus some 200-m of ups
and
downs once on the glacier. Set camp on the
glacier.
Day 3: Sunday April 17: optional early
morning peak-bagging session of the nearby
Bonnet peaks for the keeners. 1,400-m descent
to Johnston Creek through Badger Pass, and
finish at Moose Meadows.
Review the complete description of the trip
in Chic Scott's book Summits and Icefields,
along with the Bivouac.com trip postings.
Participants can register until Sunday night
April 10. A Skype conference call is scheduled
on Monday evening April 11 to finalize the trip
details. Decision to go or not will be made on
Wednesday morning April 13 based on weather
forecast & avi conditions available then.
Required Items to Bring:
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses,
buff). AT or telemark skis, skins, boots,
poles, transceiver, probe, shovel, harness, ice
axe, ice screw, 5-m cord, prussik cord, sling,
pulley, 3 locking and 3 non-locking biners,
crampons (light-weight), sleeping bag, sleeping
pad, warm clothing, water bottles, food for 3
days. Group gear: tents, stoves, first aid
kit, navigation tools.
*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 Saturday, April 09, 2016 at 09:00 PM.