Description

Whether a first time or 30^th time, Round Mountain is a welcoming and popular day tour destination. It’s popular in part due to access being fairly straight forward (though chains are required) with trail head at 975 m. Weekends are predictably busy so best to be prompt and start early.

The plan is to meet up at Cloudburst Cafe at 6:30 am for introductions and to discuss conditions and objectives for the day. People may wish to carpool from St. David’s United Church on Taylor Way to Cloudburst Cafe. We’ll likely consolidate into two vehicles (AWD/4WD with chains) and be driving by 7 am : aiming to be in the upper parking lot before 8 am.

Once parked, the grins break out and the fun factor bumps up a notch. If anyone has new gear, or borrowed gear feel free to ask for advice as its better to be well sorted before hitting the skin track. We’ll do a group transceiver check and start up Elfin Lakes Trail. With luck snow coverage will start at the trail head. There’s 450 m elevation gain to Red Heather (typically 90 min skinning + breaks). Let’s try to rotate the person at the front and we’ll chat about terrain, conditions and observations.

At Red Heather we’ll have an opportunity to take a break in the shelter and lap Round Mountain. If conditions are questionable, options include skills practice such as building snow anchors (especially for recent attendees of the dryland crevasse rescue sessions). Companion rescue practice at Red Heather can be frustrating as there’s a good chance someone with a transceiver will cut through or pass within 70m of the practice scenario.

The ski out down Elfin Lakes Trail will be hard packed and bit of an early season leg burner. The trail feels narrow as speeds pick up so caution is advised. If we leave Red Heather at 3 pm we’ll be back to the cars before 3:30 pm. It’s always nice to be back at the cars an hour before sunset but of course we’ll all have our headlamps and ten essentials.

 

Participants require:

• ski touring or split board kit including helmet.
• 3 antenna transceiver, probe and shovel.
• 10 essentials.
• clothing layers appropriate for the day.
• food, water, tea, coffee as desired.
• AST1 and have read the avalanche and weather forecast for the day.
• early season fitness for skinning up to 800m vertical. 
• confidence skiing blue runs and some blacks.

 

Hazards include but are not limited to:

• AvalancheWhat are the Risks 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.

• Rock fall and Ice fallWhat are the RisksRock fall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking)

• Communication and RescueWhat are the RisksCommunication 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|

• TerrainWhat are the RisksCornices | 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|

• General Hazards What are the RisksSlips 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|

• Boots and Binding SystemsWhat are the RisksEven 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. 

 

When signing up please let me know:

 

• if you can drive (AWD/4WD with chains) and how many passengers you can take.
• how much touring experience you have.
• and being respectful of your privacy, if there are any relevant medical conditions I should be aware of as trip organizer that might impact group safety ie. recovering or nagging injury.

 

UPDATE DEC 4, 2025 :  I’m thankful for assistance from co-organizer Jonathan Rosen allowing us to increase our group size !

UPDATE DEC 7, 2025: Alright! We’re lucky to have trip organizer Russ Fretenburg join us for the 14th 🙂

UPDATE DEC 11, 2025: Cancelled due to warm and wet forecast.