*11000ers series* - Snowdome, Kitchener, Castleguard (3 days) - Sunday, Mar 24, 2024

The Basics:
Event Type: Skiing 
Event Location: Icefields Parkway 
Event Starts:   Sunday, Mar 24, 2024 06:00 AM  
Event Ends:   Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024 05:00 PM  
Registration Cut Off:   Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 05:00 PM  
Difficulty Rating:   D4 - See Conversion Chart  
Trip Coordinator(s):   Christopher Candela
 

Participant Info:
Who's Invited:   Members & Guests, 18 And Older Only  
Attendee Screening:   Attendees are Pre-Screened
Maximum Group Size: 5
Minimum Group Size: 3
Number Registered So Far:   2 (View sign-ups, waiting list)
Are Dogs Permitted:   No

Itinerary:
With good avalanche conditions and good weather (so far) it's time to pay a visit to the Columbia Icefields and attempt some easy 11000ers.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
This event is directly linked to 2 other events. The only difference between them is the number of days and number of summits attempted.
Feel free to register to all of them if you are available but keep in mind that we'll go with the longest one that has reached the minimum number of participants required. (3 people, ideally 4 or 5).
Plan A is 3 days. If the minimum number of participants is not reached then plan B would be 2 days (Mount Castleguard only OR SnowDome/Kitchener only depending on team's fitness). If the minimum number of participants is not reached then plan C would be just 1 day (Mount Castleguard only).

Link for the 2 days trip : calendar.acccalgary.ca
Link for the 1 day trip : calendar.acccalgary.ca

For safety reasons we'll likely approach the icefields via Saksatchewan Glacier, a longer approach but safer... However the option for Athabasca Glacier is still open if the team is strong and experienced and wants to try it.
To be discussed with the team.

Meeting place and start time will be decided later with selected participants but expect very early starts.

Preview:




Frequently asked questions:

How long is it ?
The total length of the climb is 61km and 2600m of elevation in 3 days. Keep in mind we'll have heavy backpacks. Also we'll need to do alpine starts every day. (So keep that in mind especially if you drive from Calgary)

I'm not confident. Can I really do it ?
Here are the mandatory requirements to be considered for this trip:

- You should be able to ski a long distance with heavy packs. (Good fitness)
- It should not be your first ski mountaineering trip. For example if it's your first season or you just took your ski mountaineering training this season there are plenty of other objectives more suitable to get some experience before attempting this trip. Please send along with your application a list of notable ski mountaineering/glaciers you have done in the past.
- You should have winter multi days ski expeditions experience. (Build a camp, Camp in winter conditions... More info about gear in the next section)
- Glacier Travel/Crevasse Rescue training is mandatory. Here is a non exhaustive list of what you need to be comfortable with: self arrest techniques, build winter anchors (both snow and ice), build a 3:1 hauling system, know how to self rescue yourself out of a crevasse with pulleys/prussiks if for whatever reason the team can't haul you out of a crevasse...
- You should have AST1 or higher.
- It's not a guided trip so at anytime you may have to switch your position on the rope and lead/break trail on the glacier. Glacier travel experience is required.
- Your risk tolerance must be high enough for this trip. We'll always err on the side of caution but even if conditions are perfect there will always be steep parts to climb , some serious exposure, crevasses, seracs... etc

What gear should I bring ?
You will need:

- Skis or splitboard (with skins) (MANDATORY)
- Helmet (MANDATORY)
- Avalanche kit (Transceiver (digital 3+ antennae), shovel & probe) (MANDATORY)
- Headlamp (MANDATORY)
- Harness (light alpine harness if possible) (MANDATORY)
- Belay device, carabiners (MANDATORY)
- Glacier travel kit including pulleys, at least one ice screw, prussik, slings and everything else you need to perform any crevasse rescue (MANDATORY)
- Crampons that work with your skiing boots (MANDATORY)
- General mountaineering ice axe (MANDATORY)
- Enough food and snacks for 4 days (3 days + 1 extra day) (MANDATORY)
- Winter camping gear (-20C sleeping bag, liner etc). (Tents, winter stoves, fuel can be shared. To be decided with selected participants). (MANDATORY)

- Extra batteries (or at least check you transceiver batteries)
- Ski goggles
- Ski crampons (optional but can be useful)
- InReach or similar device (if you have one)
- Camera
- Sunscreen, Glasses
- Layers (for wind, snow, cold...)
- Snack/Lunch and enough water for the day
- Hot Drinks for the breakfast :)

The trip leader will bring glacier ropes, some climbing gear, 2 radios, a tarp, first aid kit and emergency blanket...
Please try to keep a little bit of space in your pack so we can share the load

What could prevent the event to happen ?
The event might be cancelled or postponed if:

- The forecast shows very cold temperatures
- One or many person forget essential gear (beacon, skis...)
- Avalanche conditions are really unsafe
- Unexpected trail (or area) closure

We'll check the weather forecast a couple of days before the trip and decide as a team whether we still want to go. In that case we can also decide to start to go for a safer option or just postpone the trip.

Carpooling:
To be arranged with the group if needed. Note that I live in Canmore so people coming from Calgary or Cochrane will need their own transportation.

Selection Process:
If we haven't skied/climbed together before please send an email (you'll find it at the bottom of the page) and describe:

- Your ski mountaineering experience
- Your avalanche training level (AST1, AST2, Avalanche Op 1 etc)
- Your ski mountaineering training level (Glacier Travel, Crevasse Rescue etc)
- Your ski comfort level

Note that this is not a first-come first-serve trip. If you don't submit this information you will not be part of the trip.

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.

Waiver:
Everyone attending this event will be required to sign the ACC Waiver at the beginning of the event. Read the waiver carefully to ensure you fully understand it. If possible, please print and fill it out except for the signature fields before arriving at the event.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our participant responsibility guidelines!

Contact information:
If you have any questions or doubts feel free to send me an email at contact@candela-chris.com.
SMS or whatsapp: 514 632 4287

IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
It is a recreational trip and NOT a guided trip. The trip leader is volunteering and is not acting in the role of a guide. We are working as a group for: safety, trail breaking, decision making...

How to Get There:
Event Directions:  


 

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our participant responsibility guidelines!


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 Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 05:00 PM.