Archive:Brian Waddington Hut New Year's 2009

Avalanche Hazard Assessment

How should the present avalanche forecast affect us?

If anyone has not already heard, expected snowfalls will become a safety issue for this season's snowpack conditions in the coming week. We can try to mitigate the avalanche risk by reducing our exposure to hazards in the backcountry and taking extra precautions but this may not be much fun given limited skiing opportunities around the Waddington cabin in a period high avalanche hazard. Consult Whistler-Blackcomb or CAA for specific details. After speaking with Evan, I brought up the possibility for an alternative choice of trip of destination.

If people feel the New Year's party does not override our decision-making process, we might consider an alternative destination for this trip. Finding a tame glacier and more moderate terrain such as Singing Pass would be our best bet. Since all of us are hardy outdoor types, who needs the bourgeois decadence of the Waddington cabin, right! Because of the Singing Pass hut capacity, the social dimension needs a bit more effort, but would that deter anyone? Give Evan a call if want to discuss any alternatives 604-786-3826.

Michael Spagnut

-- Feel free to post your comments >>>

Location Vote

Everyone is concerned about avalanche and snow condititions, and rightly so. Many people in the group have decided to change locations or are now condidering it. Others prefer to stay at the Phelix Cr hut and manage the risk accordingly. But the bottom line is no matter where people go there will be risks. Put your name below under the location you prefer to go to. This is not meant to be a vote but more of a decision and to see where people are headed. A group split is pretty much certain, but definitely not a bad thing under such conditions.

Staying with Phelix Creek

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Black Tusk/Taylor Meadows

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Singing Pass/Himmelsbach Hut(likely full)

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Brew Hut

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Synopsis

Yes it may be a bit early, but this page has been created waaaay in advance to gauge interest and also give people ideas on what to do this New Years!

Slowly become an annual tradition, many VOCers come over to the Brian Waddington Hut to celebrate the New Year and shred the local gnar. It is one of the most beautiful VOC huts, and can hold the most amount of people, making for a pretty awesome New Years party. The hut can confortably fit 24, and more if needed. You can stay as little or as long as you want, everyone is welcome to come and go as they please but shouldn't be too crowded at any point. Please note that this is not a guided/instructional trip, but more of a gathering of like minded powder hounds. But most likely some one will show you the way in if you've never been there before.

The terrain isn't exactly friendly for people who have never skied before, but you don't need to be an expert to come. Having done a CAC (Canadian Avalanche Centre) AST (Avalanche Skills Training) course (formerly known as an RAC) is good. Most of the slopes surrounding the hut are generally labelled "intermediate" or "advanced", but there are some very short beginner level runs behind the hut.

Also, make sure you have adequate alcohol to last until New Year since people have been known to run out early :(

Date

December 29^th(?), 2008 - January 2^nd, 2009(?), (Tentative)

Equipment List

Please consult the above link for all information regarding proper skiing clothing and gear. The hut is not heated so can be a little chilly when <10 bodies are there, so bring a fairly warm sleeping bag. Hut booties are pretty much a must.

Sign Up

Note: Dates can vary

Please only sign up for the nights you will stay in the hut. i.e., if you are skiing out on January 2nd, sign up for January 1st as your last Day. Also indicate beside your name the days you are arriving and leaving. This will help people find cars and also fill their cars more efficiently. (Letter) refers to car.

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Monday, December 29^th

1. Matt Osler <-Arriving (B*)
2. Michael Spagnut <-- arriving (B)
3. Merick Moritz <-Arriving (B)

Tuesday, December 30^th

1. Evan Morris <-arriving (A)
2. Greta Raymant <-arriving (A)
3. Ran Z <-arriving (A)
4. Laura Morrison <-arriving (A)
5. Greg Dennis <-arriving (C)
6. Matt Osler (B)
7. Krystil Koethler (D)
8. Chris Michalak (D)
9. Richard So (D)
10. Bob Lai <-arriving (A)
11. Laura C (arriving) & possibly Cashew and Mannie *both of the canine variety* if okay with group (C)
12. Breanne Johnson (still coming?)
13. Charles He <- arriving if rides work out?
14. Matthew Carroll (D)
15. Pascal Ziltener (Arriving) (C)
16. Merick Moritz (B)
17. Michael Spagnut (B)

Wednesday, December 31^st

1. Evan Morris
2. Greta Raymant
3. Ran Z
4. Laura Morrison
5. Caleb Scott
6. Greg Dennis
7. Matt Osler
8. Krystil Koethler
9. Chris Michalak
10. Alexandra Kushnir
11. Richard So
12. Bob Lai
13. Laura C + 2 dogs (if okay?)
14. Jenya (probably tenting)
15. Jenya's friend (probably tenting)
16. Jennifer Arnold
17. Mark
18. Breanne Johnson
19. Rozzy P
20. Colin V
21. Matthew Carroll
22. Charles He ?
23. Kaja Sadowski ?
24. Duncan McPhedran ?
25. Pascal Ziltener
26. Michael Spagnut

Thursday, January 1^st

1. Evan Morris
2. Greta Raymant
3. Ran Z
4. Colin V
5. Rozzy P
6. Laura Morrison
7. Caleb Scott
8. Greg Dennis
9. Matt Osler
10. Alexandra Kushnir ?
11. Bob Lai
12. Laura C + 2 dogs (if okay?)
13. Jenya (probably tenting)
14. Jenya's friend (probably tenting)
15. Jennifer Arnold
16. Mark
17. Breanne Johnson ?
18. Kaja Sadowski ?
19. Duncan McPhedran ?
20. Pascal Ziltener
21. Merick Moritz

Friday, January 2^nd

1. Evan Morris <- skiing/driving home Sat Jan 3
2. Greta Raymant
3. Ran Z (leaving time depending on driver)
4. Colin V
5. Rozzy P
6. Laura Morrison
7. Caleb Scott
8. Greg Dennis <-Leaving
9. Matt Osler <-Leaving
10. Alexandra Kushnir ?
11. Bob Lai (leaving time depending on driver)
12. Laura C + 2 dogs (if okay?) <-- Leaving
13. Kaja Sadwoski <---Leaving?
14. Duncan McPhedran<---Leaving?
15. Pascal Ziltener <- Leaving
16. Michael Spagnut <-- Leaving
17. Merick Moritz <- Leaving

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Interested, not sure of coming/going dates

1. Ignacio

Rides

Drivers Please indicate here where you are leaving from, and when, and how many people you can transport.

Passengers It is up to you to contact your driver asap and tell him/her that you want a ride. At that time you can discuss departure time and place, sharing of food, tents, etc. Once you have done this, you should take your name off the "carless people" list.

Driver's Name [dates you will be up there, location leaving from, # of people]

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Evan Morris [leaving Dec 30am, returning Jan 3 pm, 7th and Alma, 4 passengers]

1. Greta
2. Ran Z
3. Bob L
4. Laura M

Matt Osler [cheap gas + snow tires + roof rack, leaving Van Dec 29 early am, returning Jan 3 late afternoon, 3 passengers]

1. Merick Moritz
2. Michael Spagnut 604-321-2296
3. 
   

Colin Vincent [leaving Dec 31 pm, returning Jan 2 pm, 10th and Columbia, 4 passengers] To Hut:

1. Caleb S
2. Alex K
3. 
   
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Return:

1. Rozzy P
2. Alex K
3. Caleb S

Pascal Ziltener [leaving Van city Dec. 30th am, returning Jan. 2nd, 604-224-0230]

1. Laura C and two dogs
2. Greg Dennis

Carless People

For people that don't have a car

• Name, leaving location, dates you would like to attend

1. Charles He, downtowen, I want to arrive on the 30th, staying for more than one day hopefully