Archive:Intro to Backcountry Skiing 2008

	Old Trip
	This is the sign up and organization page for an old trip. It already happened. Please do not sign up for it.

Ouch.
Photo: Richard So

Introduction

This trip is, perhaps obviously, an introduction to skiing in the backcountry. Skiing in the backcountry is a lot different than skiing in a resort for a bunch of reasons, including snow conditions, routefinding, avalanche danger etc. This trip is geared to introduce people to these differences so they can learn to be more confident heading into the wilderness in winter (on skis).

This trip is for people who have basic camping skills (and are prepared to camp outside in the cold, on snow) and skiing skills. Winter Longhike and Tele School are good preparation for this trip. Snowboarding is also possible in the backcountry (snowboarders typically use snowshoes for the uphill, or use a splitboard), but this trip is geared towards skiing. Snowboarders can come on this trip if they are tough and willing to put up with any differences caused by being a snowboarder. Snowboarders should all be in group 1 since Caspar Creek is so flat on the exit.

Avalanche Education

Avalanches are a major consideration for winter backcountry travel. It is recommended that you educate yourself about avalanches before this trip. We will also discuss this issue at the trip, but the more you know, the better. The VOC is organizing an avalanche course two weeks before this trip, so you could consider taking that (this is the best option). There is also an online course available here. Reading a book on the subject wouldn't hurt either.

Date

February 2^nd - 3^rd, 2008

Note that this trip may be cancelled, postponed or the location changed based on weather and avalanche conditions.

Pre-trip meeting

The pre-trip meeting will be Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 at 6:00pm PST in the clubroom.

Location

Group 1: Joffre Lakes
Group 2: Caspar Creek

Equipment List

Please consult the above link for all information regarding proper skiing clothing and gear. Please be aware that you will need proper backcountry skis for this trip (telemark or alpine touring) as well as skins (these are, of course, crucial), ski boots, and poles. Avalanche transceivers (modern 457 kHz type) and shovels are absolutely mandatory.

Here is some essential gear. You really really need this stuff:

Sign Up

FULL. This trip is closed.

Please indicate whether you have avalanche training/experience.

Group 1

Instructors:

1. Scott Webster
2. Christian Champagne
3. Evan Morris
4. Steve Mullen
5. Chris Petrus (tentative)

Students:

1. Anne Webster (AST 1)
   
2. Joanna Kolakowska (no AST)
   
3. Jason Bedard (AST 1, 2006)
4. Laura Morrison (AST 1)
5. Gili Rosenberg (AST 1)
   
6. Maya Goldstein (no AST)
   
7. April (have taken AST 1)
   
8. Bob Lai (AST 1)
   
9. Anne Vialettes (no AST)
10. Nick Chng
11. Shane Beaton (no AST, just informal training/reading, have 4wd car)
12. Helen Fleisig (half AST1)
13. Josh Zukewich (no AST, some informal training. Snowboard/Snowshoe)
14. Felix Heinen (no AST, Snowboard)
    
15. Pawel Mirski (5 day Rec Avi Awareness, snowboard?)
16. Colin Ferster (AST 1, snowboard?)
17. Ran Z
18. Michael Kaye (No avalanche experience)

FULL. This trip is closed.

Group 2

Instructors:

1. Christian Veenstra
2. Duncan McPhedran
3. Matthew Carroll
4. Line Christiansen
5. Matthew Baker

Students:

1. Jason Kwok (no AST)
2. Anton Kaplan (AST-1)
3. Tracy Wilkinson (no AST)
4. Madelaine Wiese (no AST, some informal training)
5. Conrad Koziol (no AST)
6. Eddie (Took the Jan 19-20 avi course)
7. Elissa Smith (AST 1, 2007)
8. Eric Escobar (AST-1)
9. Philipp Zielke (not taken AST 1 Jan 26-27 since it got canceled, but read the avi cours material (-: )
10. Claire Bossavit (Eric's wife, no avi course, but heard a lot about avalanches from Eric)
11. Charissa Pinnell (Rescue avi course [6yrs ago], avi update course [last yr], have car)
12. Paul Bates (no AST, reading up- plan to do the Whistler avi information day)
13. Luisa Muenter (No AST but have some general knowledge, have truck)
14. Devon Carr (I was caught in an avalanche once, I'm signed up for an AST 1 course on feb 9th)
    
15. Sophia Moulton (no avalanche experience)
    
16. Ryan Gustafson (Level 1 Avi, ubc snow course, snowboarder, prefer Caspar Creek, have car)
17. Emma V-B (Took the Jan 19-20 avi course)

FULL. This trip is closed.

Rides

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

You MUST be in a car with people from your group (1 or 2) only. The trips are not at the same location and will be run entirely independently on the trip weekend.

Evan Morris [would like to rearrange cars so pickup is in one area, 4 passengers]

1. April Hall (Main and King Ed)
2. Bob Lai
3. Steve Mullen (Burrard at 11th)
4. Champagne (UBC area)

Matthew Carroll [13th + Macdonald, 6 passengers, CAN mini-van w/roof rack]

n.b. If we have sufficient alternative vehicles by 8pm Jan 31st I will cancel the booking.

1. Elissa Smith
2. Christian Veenstra
3. Line Christiansen
4. Anton Kaplan
5. Madelaine Wiese

Nick Chng [Wherever, but not too many disparate places!, 4 passengers, have roof rack]

1. Alix MacKay (NVan but happy to meet wherever works)
2. Pawel Mirski (Coq; any skytrain stn)
3. 
   
4. 
   

Duncan McPhedran [Fraser & Broadway, 3 or 4 passengers, roof rack equiped]

1. Eddie
2. Philipp Z
3. 
   

Shane Beaton [UBC, 3 or 4(squished) passengers]

1. Emma V-B (Gage UBC)
   
2. Anne Vialettes (14th and Trimble; can come on campus if needed)
3. 
   
4. 
   

Eric [GROUP 2, Westend, 2 spots/(3 spots if people really like each other)]

1. Claire Bossavit
2. sophia moulton
3. 
   

Carless People

For people that don't have a car

• Name, leaving location

1. Laura Morrison (UBC)
2. Ran Z (70th and Oak if I haven't moved by that time)
3. Sophia Moulton
4. Emma V-B (UBC)
5. Anne Vialettes (14th and Trimble)
6. Felix Heinen (Downtown)
7. Colin Ferster (49 and Granville or UBC)
8. Tracy Wilkinson (Broadway and Commercial)
9. Joanna Kolakowska (west end)
10. Michael Kaye (King Edward and Arbutus)