Hole in the wall couloir (+ FHR tentatively) - Saturday, Jun 01, 2024

The Basics:
Event Type: Skiing 
Event Location: Kananaskis 
Event Starts:   Saturday, Jun 01, 2024 04:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 04:00 AM @ Calgary)  
Event Ends:   Saturday, Jun 01, 2024 05:00 PM  
Registration Cut Off:   Friday, May 31, 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: 5
Minimum Group Size: 2
Number Registered So Far:   1 (View sign-ups, waiting list)
Are Dogs Permitted:   No

Itinerary:

I've already put the skis away at the very back of my closet but after seeing all those reports mentioning good coverage or great postholing, I'm tempted to squeeze in one last ski tour.


We will attempt the « hole in the wall » couloir on the North Face of Mt French. 

If time, weather, conditions and group allows we will finish the French Haig Robertson Traverse. If not we will head back down the French Drainage. 


I had a look from the parking lot on Tuesday night, still a lot of snow in the forest. Good coverage in the alpine, even on south aspect above 2400m.


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. 


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. 

Required Items to Bring:

Helmet, backcountry ski kit; avalanche rescue kit; food/water; clothing. 

More detailed list will be shared with the group if needed.


Recommended Items to Bring:



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

West side of the city


Notes:

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 Friday, May 31, 2024 at 12:00 AM.