Wapta Traverse :: World Class Ski-Mountaineering

Wapta Traverse

Dates & Price
Week 1 : March 7 (evening) - March 14, 2009

October 1, 2008 UPDATE - WEEK 2 CAMP NOW FULL
Week 2 : April 4 (evening) - 11, 2009

Cost per person is $1595 + GST

Arc'teryx is a supportive sponsor of the winter Wapta Traverse Mountain Adventure and we thank them for their assistance.

The Wapta Traverse should hold the number one spot at the top of everyone’s list of must-do experiences. This world-class winter ski-mountaineering destination is a spectacular journey across the Wapta and Waputik Icefields, providing you with fantastic views, amazing glacier runs, and the ultimate backcountry experience.

Starting the traverse at Peyto Lake, we’ll make our way across the two icefields, spending the evenings warming up, eating great food and sleeping in the comforts of the Alpine Club of Canada’s Peyto, Bow, Balfour and Scott Duncan Huts. Along the way many exciting ski ascents are immediately adjacent to the traverse to try your hand at ski mountaineering. Objectives could include Mounts Rhondda (North and South), St. Nicholas, Olive, Gordon, and Balfour. This camp can be whatever you want it to be - learn the basics of winter alpine travel, or come just for the skiing, the peak-bagging, and to improve your skills.

We run the Wapta traverse every year and it consistently fills up early. Register today to avoid the inevitable waitlist and ultimate disappointment!

Level of Difficulty

This camp is designed for people with little or no previous mountaineering experience. You must have a good level of fitness, be able to comfortably ski the equivalent of blue/intermediate runs at downhill ski areas, and be able to ski with a 16 – 18kg (35 – 40lb) pack for several hours. Porters will be used to transport the majority of food to the huts, however participants will be expected to share in the carrying of any other group food and gear.

Information package:
Week 1 - Click Here
Week 2 - Click Here

Info on sign up process

Photo: © Mike Dodge

2008 Planned Itinerary*

Day 1 – meet at 8:00pm at the CAC in Lake Louise
Day 2 – start traverse at Peyto Lake; stay at Peyto Hut
Day 3 – Stay at Peyto Hut
Day 4 – Stay at Bow Hut
Day 5 – Stay at Balfour Hut
Day 6 – Stay at Balfour Hut
Day 7 – Stay at Scott Duncan Hut
Day 8 – descend via West Louise Lodge on Highway 1, camp ends at Lake Louise
*Subject to change

Included

Guiding throughout the camp
Accommodation at the CAC in Lake Louise on the first night
Accommodation at the Alpine Club Huts along the traverse
All meals starting with breakfast at Laggan’s on Day 2 and ending with lunch on Day 8th
All group gear

Not Included

Transportation to/from Peyto Lake (Participants will be expected to use their own vehicles and carpool to Peyto Lake)
Dinner on Day 1 or 8
Lunch on Day 2 (please bring a bag lunch with you)
Accommodation on Day 8
Personal gear (see equipment list)

Staff:

Week 1 - Wapta Traverse		Week 2- Wapta Traverse
ACMG Mountain Guide Evan Stevens		ACMG Mountain Guide Peter Amann

		Peter has worked as a Mountain Guide in many ranges throughout western Canada. He routinely works in many of the camps for the Alpine Club of Canada, including 20 years at the General Mountaineering Camp and has been one of the instructors for the North Face winter leadership course for 7 years. He also works with training the Canadian Military's Search and Rescue Technicians, and worked as the Avalanche Forecaster at Marmot Basin for 18 years. Peter has taught both Rock and Mountaineering courses for 25 years, and guided many private ski touring and climbing parties. Peter presently works as lead guide for Robson Helimagic out of Valemount, teaches AST Avalanche courses and guides ski touring in the winter months.

Camp Manager Alison Cardinal		Camp Manager Kris Irwin

Alison moved to Canmore three years ago from Northern Ireland, and has spent a lot of time hill walking in the rain in Scotland as well as climbing and skiing in Chamonix, the Dolomites, the Pyrenees and Kenya. She is a certified backpacking guide through the ACMG, is an active trip leader with the Rocky Mountain Section, and is a graduate of the TNF ACC Winter Leadership Course.		Kris is an aspiring Mountain Guide and has a true passion for anything outdoors. He has been an amateur leader with the Alpine Club's Rocky Mountain Section for the past 3 years and serves on the Trips Committee, where he helps organize volunteer proposed trips. He started his mountaineering pursuits in 2005 when he attended a 3-month mountaineering semester with Yamnuska Mountaineering. He has since dedicated himself full-time to the joys of climbing and skiing in the outdoors. He lives in Banff, Alberta.

Other great winter trips offered by the Alpine Club of Canada:

	Banff Mountain Film Festival - Ice Climbing - CAMP FULL November 10 - November 13, 2008		LIttle Yoho Valley Ski Camp March 28 - April 4, 2009
	Wapta Traverse - Week 1 March 7 - March 14, 2009		Peakbagging on the Spearhead Traverse March 29 - April 3, 2009
	Fairy Meadow Ski Extravaganza March 14 - March 21, 2009		Wapta Traverse - Week 2 - CAMP FULL April 4 - April 11, 2009
	First Summits Winter Mountaineering February 26 - March 2, 2009		Argentine Glacier Ski Camp April 17 - April 25, 2009


	Special Winter Adventures
	The North Face Leadership Course January 10 - January 17, 2009

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