This is a repeat of the November 25 trip if you couldn't make or get on that one.
While the snow is still scarce, let's try to take our skis/boards out for a walk and work on a few things to get ready for the season. The destination is TBD based on weather this week and any reports/information that can lead us to better coverage (beta welcome!). Turns will not be a priority and might not really happen - more likely that we will be coming down a summer trail (e.g. Burstall Pass, Healy Pass). Objectives for the day are 1) avoid getting injured and wrecking equipment, 2) getting into the groove of moving uphill with skis/split skis on, 3) practising beacon searching / rescue scenarios in the snow and 4) doing a shake-down on gear and systems for the season. We will have a pre-trip discussion Saturday night.
If you are registered in BITS this winter, you are welcome to join - note that this is not part of the BITS program, just a warm up to the season.
Required Items to Bring:
- Three-antenna beacon (marking/masking function recommended)
- Metal shovel
- Probe
- Helmet
- Current, signed off electronic waiver through the ACC National membership system
Recommended Items to Bring:
- An older pair of skis / splitboard
- National park pass / K-Country pass
Note: if you are unsure of what to bring for a day of skiing/splitboarding, we can discuss in advance.
How to Get There:
Carpool Departure Time:
06:30 AM
Carpool Location:
TBD - based on where people are coming from (default is west edge of city off 16 Ave)
Notes:
Backcountry Skiing / Splitboarding Hazards
Avalanche
Avalanches
can occur in the terrain you will be entering. Caused by natural
forces, or by people travelling through the terrain
Anyone caught in a avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and or property damage or loss
Terrain
Cornices
Crevasses
Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps
Cliffs
Creeks
Rocks and Boulders
Variable and difficult snow conditions
Impact or collision with other persons or objects
Encounters with domestic or wild animals
Loss of balance or control
Becoming lost or separated from the group
Slips, trips, and falls
Boots and Binding systems
Even
when set up correctly, a ski binding might not release during every
fall or may release unexpectedly. The ski boot/binding system is no
guarantee that the skier will not be injured. Non-DIN-certified
bindings, such as pin/tech bindings, present a higher risk of
pre-release and/or injury as they are not designed to the same safety
standards as a DIN-certified alpine binding.
Unlike alpine ski
boot/binding systems, snowboard and some telemark boot/binding systems
are not designed or intended to release and will not release under
normal circumstances. Using such a system increases the risk of injury
and/or death when caught in an avalanche.
Communication, rescue, and medical treatment
Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident rescue and treatment may not be available
Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment or transportation out of the field,
Alpine
weather conditions can be extreme and change rapidly without warning
making travel by helicopter, snowmobile, snowcat, dangerous
If an injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow
Other
Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor
Infectious disease contracted via direct or indirect contact, including but not limited to influenza or Covid-19
Equipment failure
Negligence of other persons, including other participants and/or the trip coordinator
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, November 24, 2023 at 10:04 AM.