Wapta in 2 days - Saturday, May 04, 2024

The Basics:
Event Type: Skiing 
Event Location: Wapta Traverse 
Event Starts:   Saturday, May 04, 2024 04:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 04:00 AM @ Calgary)  
Event Ends:   Sunday, May 05, 2024 08:00 PM  
Registration Cut Off:   Saturday, May 04, 2024 12:00 AM  
Difficulty Rating:   D3 - See Conversion Chart  
Trip Coordinator(s):   Mathurin Romand
 

Participant Info:
Who's Invited:   Members Only  
Attendee Screening:   Attendees are Pre-Screened
Maximum Group Size: 4
Minimum Group Size: 3
Number Registered So Far:   3 (View sign-ups, waiting list)
Are Dogs Permitted:   No

Itinerary:

This trip is a tentative trip for the Wapta traverse in 2 days. There seems to have a weather window next week end so far.

If there's enough interest to form a rope team of 3 or 4, we'll try to secure some last-minute spots at Balfour hut. 

If the hut is still full at the end of the week we'll consider carrying camping gear, or if the group is in good shape we'll consider doing the traverse in one day (drivng the day before to LL may help). 


This trip is weather-dependent and the decision will be assessed at the end of the week. The trip will only take place if good visibility is forecast, especially for the day we will cross Balfour High Col. 

Plans B will be considered if the group is motivated.


Screening: Event attendees will be screened to ensure they have the necessary skills and experience to complete this climb.  Sign-up is not first come first served, and attendees will be selected at the discretion of the trip leader. 

Needless to say, you need to be able to travel fast on a glacier for two long days (or one even longer). This includes good physical condition, fast transitions, etc. (About 45km, 1800md+). 


If we haven't skied together recently send me a quick email at: mathurin.romand@gmail.com explaining your  mountaineering experience, fitness, training (avalanche, crevasse, first aid, etc.), previous trips this season and why your a good fit for the trip. 

Recommended Items to Bring:

Glacier travel kit; hut kit; backcountry ski kit; avalanche rescue kit; food; clothing. Detailed gear lists will be shared with participants closer to the trip dates.


How to Get There:
Carpool Departure Time:   04:00 AM
Carpool Location:   Calgary

Notes:

Each participant will need to pay $50 if we stay at Balfour Hut.

Wilderness Skiing

·       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

 

Mountaineering

·       Rockfall and icefall

o   Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking). What are the risks? Impact from a falling rock or ice can result in injury or death and can also damage equipment such as ropes.

 

·       Avalanche

o   "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

o   Crevasses

o   Cornice fall

o   Tress, forest deadfall and tree stumps

o   Creeks

o   Rocks and Boulders

o   Variable and difficult walking terrain

o   Impact or collision with other persons or objects

o   Encounters with domestic or wild animals

o   Contact with poisonous flora or fauna

o   Loss of balance or control

o   Slips, trips,and falls

 

·       Falls and Belaying

o   Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or the ground, which can lead to injury or death.

o   The risk of belay failure is also present, which can contribute to the risk of a ground fall

 

·       Communication, rescue and medical treatment

o   Communication can be difficult and in the event of a accident rescue and treatment may not be available

o   Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field

o   If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow



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, May 04, 2024 at 12:00 AM.