This trip is meant to be an easy outing, with the primary goal being a first exposure to winter camping.
Folks that attended the November 14 "So you want to go winter camping?" training session will be given priority. Travel will be by backcountry skis. We will head to the Howard Douglas Lake backcountry zone to make camp. Depending on conditions, timing, and interest we may be able to go do a few laps of easy skiing. Again depending on interest and motivation, we may attempt a more remote peak ascent while we are in the area, before heading back to the car.
Required Items to Bring:
Full backcountry ski kit. A full list of overnight equipment will be sent before the trip. Group gear will be coordinated will all participants.
How to Get There:
Event Directions:
Carpool Departure Time:
08:00 AM
Carpool Location:
Valley Ridge outdoor rink
Carpool Directions:
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, optionally describe crevasse rescue and glacier travel experience (this trip won't have to deal with those hazards)
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)
Describe any winter camping experience you may have.
You will
not be moved to the participant list without submitting this info!
Please send 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! These notes are also hard to search if you sign up for multiple trips.
POTENTIAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS EVENT - READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING UP. By signing up for this trip you acknowledge these risks.
Wilderness Skiing
As with any multiday trip in winter conditions, getting cold is a very real possibility, ranging from frostbite to hypothermia. This is usually preventable with suitable winter attire and sleeping system.
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
Communicationcan be difficult and in the event of an accidentrescue 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
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
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 walking terrain
Snow immersion
Impact or collision with other persons persons or objects
Contact with poisonous flora or fauna
Encounters with domestic or wild animals
Loss of balance or control
Slips trips and falls
Becoming lost or separated from one’s group
Falls and Belaying
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.
The risk of belay failure is also present, which can contribute to the risk of a ground fall
Communication, rescue and medical treatment
Communicationcan be difficult and in the event of a accidentrescue 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
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.
SIGN UP HERE
The trip coordinator needs to review and accept your application for this event. Add yourself to the waiting list here.