Originally published at: Ski Tour Mt Allan Brooks – Mt Elma (B2) – Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver Island Section
Trip leader/ contact:
John McMechan <john.mcmechan@yahoo.ca>
Details:
Join me and get in shape for the touring season with a trip up Mt Allan Brooks and hopefully Mt Elma from Washy. If we get a lot of powder i.e. heavy trail breaking or conditions are dodgy (if we don’t get more snow) we may only summit one or none of the two peaks. It could be a walk
Trip will follow Phil Stones T&T Pg 103 sticking to “blue” terrain. Head up toward Helen Mackenzie and up the north ridge to Alan Brooks. Descend to AB-Elma col. Ascend west slopes to Elma, tour to summit and then ideally descend NE Ridge of Elma and return to home. Subject to change based on on ground conditions and group.
Time: 8am – 5pm
Category: ski
Max participants: 4 inlcuding trip leader.
Meet near the Vancouver island mountain center in the Nordic parking area at 8am. A Carpool may be organized depending on where participants are coming from.
ATES 1 – stick to moderate slopes
16km / 700m vert
Even in simple terrain trip will not run if extreme avy conditions on principle or if there is a deluge of rain on the day of. I will connect with participants a few days before via email to confirm the trip and our shared expectations
Required:
AST 1
At least 3 days of back country skiing experience
Comfortably Ski blue gladed runs, some experience with black runs ideal
Physical fitness to handle the rigours of a potential multi-summit ski tour
Full avalanche kit – Modern digital transceiver, probe, shovel, skis, skins, HELMET
Fun attitude. Be Safe. Make Friends. Have Fun. Summit Or shred. in that order
Please send me a short introduction to my email at john.mcmechan@yahoo.ca including:
– member information with your ACC member number (so I can confirm waiver),
– your emergency contacts name and phone
– your relevant experience (fitness, recent trips etc.)
– Any relevant medical conditions
– Carpool willingness
Thank you,
Risks:
Avalanche
What are the Risks
- Avalanches can occur in the terrain you will be entering and can be 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
What are the Risks
- 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
Terrain
What are the Risks
- Cornices
- Crevasses
- 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 ranks
- Fences and other man-made structures
- Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects
- Encounters with domestic or wild animals
- Loss of balance or control
- Becoming lost or separated from the group
- Slips, trips, and falls
General Hazards
What are the Risks
- Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor
- Equipment failure.
- Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact.
- Negligence of other persons, including other guests.
- Negligent first aid.
Boots and Binding Systems
What are the Risks
- 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.