Spearhead Traverse – 4 Days with Descent of the Shudder Glacier – EDIT: Changed to Lizzie Creek Cabin due to conditions

March 14th 2025

Event Details

  • Date: –
  • Spots: 5
  • Member Cost: Free
  • Destination: Whistler
  • Categories:
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Attendee Screening: Attendees are Pre-Screened - The Trip Leader will review your background and contact you before accepting you on the trip. You will get a confirmation that your sign-up is pending right away.
    That doesn't mean that you are confirmed to go on the trip yet. If you are accepted, you should receive an email from the coordinator to confirm your sign-up and coordinate the trip's details.

Description

Description

This trip can be done over 2 or 3 days, as well. 3 days will be easier and will allow time for some skiing, but not on the Shudder Glc.

A two day trip is feasible, but at a faster pace with longer days, but there wont be any time for additional skiing or summits.

This is a difficult trip and it is not suitable for beginners.

Notes:

  • If conditions are not suitable for this trip then another 2 or 3 day trip will be substituted, such as the Garibaldi Neve, or a basecamp trip

 

Required Snow and Weather Conditions:

  • Mostly clear weather

 

Requirements:

  • Good attitude
  • Prior touring experience including in complex terrain, back-to-back days, and longer days.
  • Strong downhill riding skills on Double Black runs in any conditions with a 40 to 50lb pack
  • Fitness for 35km, 2,000vm over 2 or 3 days carrying a 40 to 50lb pack, plus an additional day of skiing
  • Glacier and crevasse rescue training
  • AST1 equivalent or better

 

Recommended:

  • Prior traverse experience
  • Prior winter camping experience

 

Trip Plan:

  • Pre trip virtual meeting
    • Held in the week before the trip to ensure everyone is on the same page for the trip plan and route.
  • Day 1
    • Leave North Vancouver by 530am
    • Park in Lot 4 by 730am.
    • Be at guest relations by 8am to buy passes
    • Ski to a camp on the Tremor or Platform Glc
  • Day 2:
    • Ski the Shudder Glacier either part way or to Billygoat creek.
    • Other possible descents are Tremor Peak (45 degrees), Mt. Pattison, and the Tremor Glacier
  • Day 3:
    • Ski to a camp on the Diavolo Glc
    • Optional ascents: Cheakamus
  • Day 4:
    • Ski out via Singing Pass Trail or the Musical Bumps (preferred)

Risks and Hazards:

General Hazards:

Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor. Equipment failure. Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Negligence of other persons, including other guests. Negligent first aid. Negligence of the guide Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities.

Terrain:

Cornices and crevasses. Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps. Cliffs, creeks, rocks and boulders. Holes and depressions below the snow surface. Variable and difficult snow conditions. Snowcat roads and road ranks. Fences and other man-made structures. Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects. Encounters with domestic or wild animals. Loss of balance or control. Becoming lost or separated from the group. Slips, trips, and falls. 

Avalanche:

Avalanches can occur in the terrain you will be entering. Caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (skiing/snowboarding). Anyone caught in an avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and/or property damage or loss.

Communication and Rescue:

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.  

Guest sign-up

Sign-ups are no longer available for this event.