PRiSM - Peaks and Ridges Ski Mountaineering

A 2 day "casual" attempt of Mount Gordon via 1 night at Bow Hut - $50 per person.  Mt Gordon is commonly done as a day trip from the highway, but this trip will aim to bag the summit over 2 days.  Our main goal is Mt Gordon and we will try to ascend the peak on whichever day the weather seems nicest!  Note: Attendees are pre-screened by the trip coordinators.  Do not send any money until you are approved for the trip. 

Prospective participants must have at a minimum: AST1, crevasse rescue training, glacier travel experience.  A strong preference will be given to individuals with AST2 and prior ski mountaineering experience.  If I do not know you, please see the additional notes listed below. 

In an ideal world with perfect ski conditions and avy hazard, here's our itinerary:

Saturday - Early start to get to Bow Hut - should take about 2.5-3 hours.  If the weather is great, attempt Mt Gordon in the afternoon.  Other objectives could include Mt Rhondda, the Onion, Mt Olive, or relaxing in the hut for summit day. 

Sunday - Attempt Mt Gordon, return to Bow Hut, ski back to the car. 

If I do not already know you, please send the following info to brendan714@gmail.com

• Describe your avalanche training, crevasse rescue and glacier travel experience
• Describe your backcountry ski experience.  Provide some examples of trips/summits you've done this year and in the previous 2-3 years. 
• 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 considered for this trip without sending me an email with this info!  Please send me an email instead of using the built-in ACC notes page when you add yourself to the waitlist - I don't often check those notes for people on the waitlist!

POTENTIAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS EVENT - READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING UP

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