Summit Chasing - Alpine Touring - Thursday, Dec 28, 2023

The Basics:
Event Type: Skiing 
Event Location: Bow valley 
Date(s) & Time:   Thursday, Dec 28, 2023 07:30 AM (Carpool Departure: 07:30 AM @ Valley Ridge outdoor rink)  
Registration Cut Off:   Wednesday, Dec 27, 2023 06:00 PM  
Event Duration: 1 day 
Difficulty Rating:   D2 - See Conversion Chart  
Trip Coordinator(s):   Simon Trudel
 

Participant Info:
Who's Invited:   Members & Guests, 19 and Older Only  
Attendee Screening:   Attendees are Pre-Screened
Maximum Group Size: 4
Maximum No. Guests: 2
Minimum Group Size: 2
Maximum No. Guests Per Member: 1
Number Registered So Far:   4 (View sign-ups, waiting list)
Are Dogs Permitted:   No

Itinerary:

A mellow tour to reach a local highpoint. Possible objectives include Crystal Ridge, Jimmy Simpson Jr, Healy Pass Peak. Choice will in part depend on conditions observed in the field the day before. Participants are welcome to provide suggestions. Your expectations for good skiing should be commensurate with our current snowpack (or lack thereof). Rock skis recommended.

Required Items to Bring:

Mandatory: Transceiver (digital 2+ antennae) (remember to check your batteries), snow shovel, probe, backcountry ski gear, and knowledge of how to use them (AST1 minimum)


Recommended Items to Bring:

Food/drink, extra clothing, any required personal items, sunglasses/ski goggles and headlamp, sunscreen, camera, FRS radio if you have one.

If we are going to a summit, an ice axe, helmet, and boot crampons might be needed. Ski crampons may be an asset and have come in handy across the season.


How to Get There:
Event Directions:   tbd  
Carpool Departure Time:   07:30 AM
Carpool Location:   Valley Ridge outdoor rink
Carpool Directions:  

https://maps.app.goo.gl/NynKuFG4iibmTVZ47


Notes:

Minimum AST1 or equivalent level experience is required. If you intend to bring a splitboard, let me know. As I may not know you well (or at all), please send following info to apfel.s.trudel@icloud.com

  • Describe your avalanche training, crevasse rescue and glacier travel experience
  • Describe your back country ski experience
  • Describe your ski comfort level (e.g. OK on Blue runs, struggle on Black Diamonds, I do the Delirium Dive blindfolded, I'm new to this)

You will not be moved to the participant list without submitting this info!

 

Possible hazards

 Avalanche

Avalanches can occur in the terrain in which we operate and can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. skiing/snowboarding). What are the risks? Anyone caught in an avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and/or property damage or loss.

Terrain

·       Cornice fall,

·       Crevasses,

·       Cliffs

·       Trees, tree wells, forest deadfall, and tree stumps

·       Creeks

·       Rocks and Boulders

·       Holes and depressions below the snow surface

·       Variable and difficult snow conditions

·       Snowcat roads and road banks

·       Fences and other manmade structures

·       Snow immersion

·        Impact or collision with other persons vehicles or objects

·       Encounters with domestic or wild animals

·       Loss of balance or control

·       Slips trips and falls

·       Becoming lost or separated from one’s group

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 and transport out of the field. If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow


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.

 

Other

·            Slips, trips and falls both outdoors and indoors

·            Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact

·            Equipment failure

·            Negligent first aid

·            Negligence of other people

 




Recommended: Food/drink, extra clothing, any required personal items, sunglasses/ski goggles and headlamp, sunscreen, camera, FRS radio.

Given the shallow snowpack, a helmet is strongly recommended. Ice axe and boot crampons unlikely to be needed (but have been wrong before). 


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 Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 06:00 PM.