AST1 with Cyril Shokoples - Saturday, Jan 06, 2024

The Basics:
Event Type: Training 
Event Location: north of Lake Louise 
Event Starts:   Saturday, Jan 06, 2024 08:30 AM  
Event Ends:   Sunday, Jan 07, 2024 05:00 PM  
Registration Cut Off:   Friday, Dec 22, 2023 05:50 AM  
Difficulty Rating:   D2 - See Conversion Chart  
Trip Coordinator(s):   Julie Morter
Elisabeth Dupuis
 

Participant Info:
Who's Invited:   Members Only  
Attendee Screening:   Attendees are Pre-Screened
Maximum Group Size: 6
Maximum No. Guests: 0
Minimum Group Size: 6
Maximum No. Guests Per Member: 0
Number Registered So Far:   3 (View sign-ups, waiting list)
Are Dogs Permitted:   No

Itinerary:
CURRICULUM: We will be following the Avalanche Canada guidelines for the AST level 1.


We will be skiing entirely in the Rockies. Road conditions are variable on the Icefields Parkway. Even after Highway 93 is plowed it is often in fair to poor condition. If you are car-pooling please be sure you travel in vehicles with good winter tires.

Our exact location for ski tours will be somewhat weather and stability dependent of course and so we can't say with precision exactly where we will be on each day.


this course is not at all about making turns or skiing extreme skiing in avalanche terrain.  We will spend much of our time on easy terrain and focus on skills that will assist you to travel safely in avalanche terrain 



GENERAL PLAN: Our plan is to spend Saturday doing the required classroom work in Calgary. Saturday will be a long day so participants should try to be somewhat fresh. Bring a lunch for EACH DAY of the course. Sunday is outdoors all day at location north of Lake Louise (subject to change due to weather).  It is best NOT to drive from Calgary to Lake Louise so participants should consider booking accommodation in lake louise ahead of time 

Saturday January 6 meet in Calgary 8:30 AM (location TBA and will be sent to participants prior to the course) – primarily indoor sessions/ possibly an outdoor session on transceiver search

Sunday January 7- meet in Lake Louise 7:45 AM packed and ready to go. Travel to area north of Lake Louise. We will try to be back to the vehicles by about 5PM on Sunday at the latest. The field day is mostly spent engaged in practicing snow and rescue skills and you need very, VERY warm clothing to stay standing still in the snow. You have been warned!!!

Required Items to Bring:

GEAR: Every backcountry traveler in avalanche terrain should have a proper probe, good METAL shovel and a modern digital transceiver. Participants who do not have their own gear will be provided with a digital three antenna transceiver, shovel, probe, snow study kit and snow saw to use for the duration of the course. Participants are encouraged to bring their own items if they have them but DO NOT rent or purchase prior to the course... You may change your mind about what you should buy after the course! We DO NOT allow single antenna analog transceivers or older two antenna digital transceivers on the course as they are considered to be outdated or perhaps extremely outdated.


SKI EQUIPMENT: In regard to equipment, everyone should come equipped for ski touring (with AT skis, Telemark skis or Split board). Make sure your skins are the proper width and fit your skis. Split boards with skins and ski poles are definitely OK so long as you have practiced with them. NO skinny skis please. If you need an equipment list I will send out a winter equipment list. Digital three antenna transceiver with mark function, shovel and probe are essentials for avalanche travel and a snow study kit and snow saw would be helpful.


PARK VEHICLE PASS: Be sure you are travelling in a vehicle that has a valid Parks Group Pass in the window. If you do not have a valid pass in your window I cannot allow you attend the course. Make sure you have a pass before you come or purchase a pass when you enter Banff Park. Not only is it required as part of my business licence conditions, it is also your mountain rescue insurance in case of an incident in the backcountry.


Recommended Items to Bring:

MAPS: If you have maps for the bow summit Areas please feel free to bring them.I will have a few limited copies of the Wapta Icefields.


How to Get There:
Event Directions:  

to be confirmed

 

Notes:

WAIVERS: you will be required to sign an Avalanche Canada and a Rescue Dynamics waiver and send them to Cyril Shokoples at Rescue Dynamics prior to attending the course.If you don’t sign a waiver beforehand you will not be able to attend.More on this to come, including a link to the waivers and medical forms.


TEXTS: Everyone will get a copy of the course text plus the Avaluator 2 which we will be using 


GROUP GEAR: The instructor will provide a satellite phone, PLB, VHF radios, first aid kit, repair kit and two ski guide tarps that will be distributed among the group for the weekend. Be sure you have some room in your pack for one or two of these items of group gear.



Instructor: Cyril Shokoples – ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide / CAA Avalanche Professional / Avalanche Canada AST Provider



Payment Options:
  • Member $295.00 CAD

standard club policy


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! You can send any feedback you may have to the Section Chair.

Registration for this event closed on Friday, December 22, 2023 at 05:50 AM.