Description

An 8 day, 80km (minimum) traverse through the most remote part of Garibaldi Park which is seldom visited. This will be an amazing trip!

I would like to climb and ski several of the peaks on the traverse including a day trip to Mount Pitt.

My schedule is pretty flexible atm (though this may change) and I may be able to change the dates to later in April or even May. Sign up and we can discuss. Planning for mid April allows more time to postpone if the weather is not suitable.

Route options:

• Core Misty Icefield (north to south or south to north)
• Linking into the McBride range and exiting at Rubble Creek, Diamondhead, or Whistler. These options will add 1 to 2 days.

 

The following are minimum requirements – Please describe your fit with these requirements when you sign up or send an email to me:

• Good attitude
• Ability to ski Black runs off-piste with a heavy multi-day pack
• AST1
• Intermediate to advanced touring experience (ask if unsure)
• Glacier travel training (a practice day together before is ideal)
• Excellent fitness for 8 or more consecutive days
• Traverse experience
• Winter/ snow camping experience
• We have skied together before to assess some of the above

Other:

• The weather forecast must be mostly clear for this trip to proceed. Ideally one or more melt-freeze cycles will have occured as well.
• If the weather is not suitable for 8 days then a shorter trip may be substituted (Exodus, Snowspider-Lizzie etc)
• The car shuttle is complex and stills need to be arranged. Ideally we would pay someone to drive the group to the trailhead.
• There are non-negligible costs for the trip – transport to the trailhead, a water taxi on Pitt Lake, and transport from Pitt Lake to Vancouver – budget approx $500pp

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.