Archive:3Aug2013 alcoholic
Full Alcoholic Traverse
Synopsis
You can find the message board Here You can find the message board Here
Note: some part are copied from the 2009 Veenstra Traverse
Motivation
I did the Semi Alcoholic Traverse 2 years ago, and now I want to do the full one. It will be a 3 days traverse. So basically we will start at Brandywine meadows and summit Brandywine if the weather is good (where (legend has it, some railroad workers bet a bottle of Brandy against a bottle of Wine over the height of the nearby Brandywine Falls), then go around and sleep at the bottom of Mt Fee, and reach Brew Hut for the second night. So we need to bring tent for the first night (maybe for the second night as well if we somehow don't reach the hut). We need at least 2 cars since it is a traverse.
This trip is beginner friendly. However, you have to be reasonably fit, and previous backpacking/camping experience is highly desired. I don't have a lot of experience in navigation, so the route might be a bit longer than expected.
Other than normal gear for a hiking trip, we will need to bring an ice axe and a helmet.
The first 2 days should be around 1500m elevation gain and 10-15km of hiking. The third day will be only 5km of hiking and elevation loss (unless we want to explore the area before heading down).
Dates
Trip: August 3-5th Early Saturday morning to Monday night, weather dependant.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday July 31st in the clubroom at 6pm. If you can't make it to the meeting let me know, and try to either arrange car/tent/stove (and let me know) on your own or get somebody to represent you at the meeting.
Getting There
All drivers please be heading over the Lions Gate Bridge with all passengers picked up at 6 am. Most cars will rendezvous at the Squamish Tim Hortons.
From there we'll drive together to the Brandywine Trailhead, to avoid getting lost. Note that we are not going to Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, although it is close by. From Squamish drive north on highway 99. Turn left off highway 99 at the Callaghan Valley road (exit should have big "snowmobile" sign, as well as signs for Whistler Olympic Park). From the Callaghan road take the first left, less than 1 kilometre up the road, past the Whistler recycling facility, continue past huge snowmobile parking lot and on to the old Brandywine main (you are now following the winter snowmobile trail). After about 4.5km ignore the Brandywine Meadows spur on the right (it is 4wd) then ignore the Brew spur on the left (775m elevation). At 920m elevation is a wide parking area (with toilet and info board) The last hill before the trailhead is reportedly a little bit rough, but still 2wd - you may need to lose some weight by making passengers walk a short distance, or park early. If parking early don't block the road. In case you were wondering, the trail intersects with the 4wd spur road higher up but it's not worth shuttling.
From there, people will be dropped off and 2 drivers will go at the Brew Hut trailhead for the car shuttle (find direction Here).
Gear
There will still be snow in the mountains.
Essentials
You might not survive without them!
- sunscreen
- sun glasses
- something to protect you from mosquitoes
- water bottle(s) (at least 2L, unless you know yourself)
- headlamp and batteries
- sun hat
- backpack
- whistle
- Toilet Paper
- Poo bags (freezer ziplocs are usually fine)
- Slightly tougher bag/container to put your full poo bags in
Probably worth it
- map
- compass
- pocket knife
- lighter and/or waterproof matches
- first aid kit
- bear spray
Clothing
- waterproof boots with a stiff sole
- gaiters
- warm jacket (fleece or down)
- long underwear (top and bottom)
- toque, mitts/gloves
- weatherproof jacket (goretex or coated nylon or softshell/wool if sunny)
- weatherproof pants (goretex or coated nylon or softshell/wool if sunny)
Food
Don't bring really smelly food in the summer, it attracts bears. The general rule is 1kg of dry food per day is plenty (usually this is 200g breakfast, 500g lunch, 300g dinner. If you're food comes with water-weight included [it's not dehydrated] then you'll need more).
- Lunch and snacks x3
- Breakfast x2
- Dinner x2 (shared with your food group)
Sleeping
- sleeping bag (somewhere around -3C to 0C bag should do)
- sleeping pad
- ear plugs, because somebody will snore (optional)
Shared stuff:
- tent (or space in someone else's!)
- shovel (we'll almost certainly be camped on snow, and they're useful to have around to level your tent-spot, but we need even less shovels than tents)
Cooking and Eating
You need these all to yourself:
- Toothbrush
- bowl, spoon
These things you can share with a friend:
- stove + fuel + fire
- pot and matching pot gripper
- somewhere bear-proof to store your food
- water treatment
Gear
The clubroom has all this stuff, you can borrow it!
- Helmets (there are a lot of us, and we'll really try not to hit each other with rocks, but with a group this size helmets are a good idea)
- Ice Axe
- Ski poles (when walking on snow they are really useful for keeping your balance)