Intro to Backcountry Skiing

Intro to Backcountry Skiing is a trip aimed at people who can ski already who want to get into backcountry skiing and tent camping. The objective of the trip is to camp and do some skiing above camp, or climb a peak and ski down (not just skiing to camp and back). Participants should ski well enough that they will be able to descend through forest with a pack on without hitting trees, but they do not have to look remotely good while doing it (this is called Survival Skiing). The trip is a one night excursion to an area with simple terrain and no hut. Participants stay in tents and cook in a snow kitchen, while getting some advice on travelling in the backcountry and winter camping from the more experienced trip leaders.

Past locations have included

• Marriot Basin, (before the construction of the Wendy Thompson Hut)
• Needle Peak, Coquihalla
• Caspar Creek

Into to Backcountry Skiing 2007

Date: February 3-4

Pre-Trip Meeting was on Monday, January 29th, 6pm in the clubroom. A number of people weren't there or couldn't make it, so we will do the rest of the organising of the trip here on the wiki.

Location: Rainbow Peak, West of Alta Lake in Whistler

Driving Instructions: Take Highway 99 to Whistler. Take the Alta Lake Road turnoff, about 1km south of the Creekside Gondola on Whistler. You will notice this turnoff by the big sign for "Le Gros" restaurant. A prominent sign on Twentyone Mile Creek indicates the Rainbow Lake trailhead.

Sign-up

Instructor Sign-up

1. Matthew Baker
2. Pete Hudson
3. Christian Veenstra

Student Sign-up

(max 18)

1. Matthew Carroll
2. Charlie Caunt
3. Pawel Mirski (Snowboarder)
4. Tristan Banwell
5. Line Christiansen
6. Afton Halloran (Currently sick - waiting on health. I can be booted out if someone wants my spot - it wouldn't be fair for me to take up a space and not end up coming)
7. Christian Sampaleanu
8. Christian Champagne
9. Mike Danilov (still maybe; have a stove+pots; my 3-season 2-3 person tent can be used if no better alternatives available; NOT a vegetarian; live in Kits)
10. Jeff Ferguson
11. Lisa Blachut
12. Piotr Forysinski (UBC fairview. have 2 person 4-season tent and propane stove. not veggie)
13. Stefan Verster (snowboarder)
14. Bronwyn Jarvis (have a 4 person, 3-season tent; live at 41st & blenheim; NOT a vegetarian and plan on bringing chili or curry and buttered rum; unfortunately can no longer have ppl up to whistler fri night as brother is using place and does not like to share. will stone him upon next meeting)
15. Melanie Ebsworth
16. Stu Masterman
17. Thomas Rowntree (Piotr's friend. will confirm soon)
18. 
    

Rides

Please indicate here if you have a car, where you are leaving from and how many people you can transport.

Drivers Name [email, location leaving from, # of passengers]

Matthew Carroll [m@tthew.org.uk, 19th + Dunbar, 6] (CAN minivan, now booked)

1. Christian Veenstra
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. 
   
6. 
   

Pete Hudson [pmbhudson@hotmail.com, Nelson & Burrard - may swing into Kits but want to avoid UBC, 4]

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. 
   

Food Groups

2-3 is a good number for a food group. It also works well to food group with the same people you're sharing a tent with.

The Veggie Parade - all aboard the legume train

1. Lisa Blachut
2. Matthew Carroll (stove + fuel, we probably want 2 stoves if Afton comes)
3. Matthew Baker
4. Afton Halloran (will confirm soon if I can come) [Ah, you'll be well by Saturday for sure ~ Matthew]

Christian's Meat Eating Consortium (has stove+pot+fuel - you can carry some of these)

1. Christian Veenstra
2. Mystery person two
3. Perhaps even three, but two is easier

Tents

Please indicate here if you have a tent suitable for winter camping, and how many it can sleep.

Matt's Moss Winter Bombshelter [3]

1. Lisa Blachut
2. Matthew Carroll
3. Matthew Baker

Christian's Sleeping Consortium

1. Christian Veenstra
2. Will you be the mystery person?
3. Oh god, you have no idea how crowded this tent is with three people. We should really keep it to two.

Piotr's tent <2>

1. Piotr himself (how surprising)
2. Tom if he decides to come, if not the spot is available. will find out soon.

bronwyn's tent of witchdoctors and capaciousness <4, 3-season>

1. me
2. person who produces lots of body heat when they sleep
3. person who produces lots of body heat when they sleep
4. person who produces lots of body heat when they sleep

Equipment List

Personal

In winter especially, none of your clothing should be made out of cotton. Anything synthetic is safe. Just remember, Cotton Kills.

Camping

• sleeping pad
• sleeping bag (rated for winter or 3 season if you sleep warm)

Clothes

• warm jacket (fleece or down)
• warm pants (fleece or thick long underwear)
• long underwear
• layers (fleece or wool sweaters)
• toque, mitts (2 pairs, or a set of waterproof shells)
• warm socks (2 pairs, wool/wool mix)
• waterproof jacket (goretex or coated nylon)
• waterproof pants (goretex or coated nylon)
• gaiters
• good waterproof boots (wax them before the trip) or ski boots
• goggles if skiing
• sunglasses

Transport

• skis and skins / snowboard and snowshoes / etc
• poles

Other

• cup, bowl, spoon, knife
• toothbrush etc.
• sunscreen
• water bottle (1L)
• lunch, snacks, breakfast, dinner contribution (in winter you will need 2500-3500 calories per day, fat-rich stuff keeps you warm)
• headlamp
• garbage bag
• gas money for your driver

Avalanche Safety Gear

• avalanche transceiver
• shovel
• probe (optional but recommended)

Optional Extras

• camera
• musical instruments
• large quantities of mulled wine

Small Group

2-3 people per group

• tent
• stove + fuel + lighter (you'd be surprised how often one of these stays home)
• pots

Big Group

Everyone

• first aid kits
• song books
• snow saw
• maps, compass, etc
• repair kit