Description

Read the full trip description. You must be a competent backcountry skier with good fitness – this trip is not for beginners. You should be competent in the use of ski crampons, boot crampons, and an ice axe. You must have AST1 (minimum). The organizer is not a guide – you are responsible for your own safety.

This event will be coordinated using WhatsApp.

You must fill out this form to be considered: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXzXK6yC8YzxOwt-ZIhY_vWkmdCQdF1EjBPJ2dZMl_cDm_wQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105355279516732834223

Description: We will ski to the shoulder of Needle Peak and boot pack to the summit. We will then do some laps on the shoulder of Needle Peak before heading over to Flatiron Mountain and down the Two Bears run, if conditions allow.

Distance: Up to 20 km

Elevation gain: Around 1400 m

Please, read all the details before signing up for the trip.

The trip is suitable for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers who are already at least intermediate-advanced resort skiers (comfortable on all blacks at the resort). All the participants should be able to ski with ease black diamond slopes in reasonable conditions and be able to descend the same slopes in the most horrendous conditions.

Good fitness is required for this trip – you should be able to do at least 300-400 m of elevation gain per hour under good skinning conditions.

Required:

Skis, skins, ski boots, poles (please, try/fit your gear before the trip), ski crampons, and helmet are mandatory for this trip.

Transceiver (with working batteries), shovel, probe.

Sunglasses, water, food, enough clothing to survive in the elements in a case of emergency. Be aware precipitation may be quite wet in nature.

The 10 safety essentials.

Not mandatory, but good to bring if you have:

Radio(s).

Satellite communicator/beacon.

Meetup carpool location and time:

Around 6:15 AM depending on where participants are coming from. Be prepared to drive to the meetup spot.

Possible Risks and Hazards:

General Hazards:

Slips trips and falls. Equipment failure. Negligence of other persons, including other guests. Negligent first aid. Negligence of the trip organizer, 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. 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 banks. Fences and other man-made structures. Impact or collision with other persons or objects. 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.