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    2009 - 2010 Winter Trip Schedule

    Our scheduling site went live in the winter of 2007. To get started quickly simply click on the link to the calendar below and in the login area left click on the "Need help logging in?" link to retrieve your username and password, then get out there! For more details and some helpful hints, please read this brief introductory how-to document.

    Before visiting the application and signing up for a trip (or many!) please read and familiarize yourself with the Trip Participant Responsibility Guidelines.

    You must be a current Calgary Section member to participate in the section trips listed.

    Below are descriptions of ratings as used for our ice climbs and ski trips. Please read and understand them before committing yourself to a trip. If you have any questions about the individual trip ratings, please contact that trip's leader.

    Last but not least here finally is our amazing Online Trip Calendar for all seasons for all Calgary section members! While you are perusing the calendar have a look at the Backcountry Intro to Skiing (BITS) events which are also summarized below. Enjoy yourselves, be safe and have an awesome winter!


    Backcountry Intro to Skiing (BITS) Program

    A series of progressive events and trips intended to introduce a person to backcountry skiing. The series starts with an evening session in Calgary where the basics of what's involved and required are introduced. Then there is a series of trips starting with easy trips and moving up to intermediate trips. Along the way there is a telemark practice trip to Sunshine Village coordinated by a certified ski instructor. Also recommended for people getting into backcountry skiing are the recreational avalanche and crevasse rescue courses offered through the club.

    The Introductory Avalanche Skills Training Course (AST 1) is a must for many section trips. For those who are confident on the downhill in the backcountry, the Avalanche Skills Training Course (AST 2) will take you into the realm of route finding and decision making in avalanche territory.

      The BITS series:
      Date Description
      Nov 11 Evening Orientation Session
      Coordinators: Alan Fortune
      Nov. 29, Dec. 5 Chester Lake
      Coordinator: Dana Engler, Mark Lane
      Dec. 13 Burstall Pass
      Coordinators: Julia Pulwicki
      Dec. 19 Healy Pass
      Coordinators: Ben Stephenson
      Dec. (TBD) Introductory Yoyo Skiing
      Coordinators: Dana Engler
      Jan 16 Observation Peak
      Coordinators: Nathalie Roulin
      Jan 30 Panorama Ridge
      Coordinators: Nathalie Roulin
      Feb 13 Crowfoot Pass
      Coordinators: Julia Pulwicki
      March (TBD) Bow Summit Trip
      Coordinators: Alan Fortune
      TBD Hiway 93 Fire Break
      Coordinators: Lisa Bergen
      TBD Smuts Pass
      Coordinators: TBD
      TBD Rummel Lake
      Coordinators: TBD
      Take the: Avalanche Safety Training 1
      Introductory Avalanche Course
      Avalanche Skills Training 1 Course (AST 1)
      ACC members receive a 5% discount at Yamnuska so let them know you are a member when you are registering.
      Take the: Avalanche Safety Training 2
      3 or 5 day course from Calgary & Canmore
      Avalanche Skills Training 2 Course (AST 2)
      ACC members receive a 5% discount at Yamnuska so let them know you are a member when you are registering.

    Coordinator contact info and other trip details are found on the Online Trip Calendar. A participant need not attend all of these events to participate in the BITS program.


    Ski Trip Ratings

    The trip ratings are assigned on length and difficulty of the trip. Since both can vary considerably depending on conditions, ratings should be used as a guideline. The ratings take into consideration three factors: Duration, Distance, and Level of Difficulty.

    The level of difficulty is assigned based upon the general knowledge of the route and an assessment of the route by the trip coordinator. These grades should be used as a guideline only, due to seasonal variances in route conditions.

    A route rated as "Easy" will be easy terrain, probably on a trail, little elevation gain, no steep sections. Example: Chester Lake, Boom Lake, Kananaskis Trails.

    A route graded "Moderate" will be moderate terrain, probably backcountry travel, some steep sections. Example: Healy Pass - Redearth Creek, Dolomite Circuit, Molar Meadows, Burstall Pass.

    A route rated as "Difficult" will be difficult, steep terrain, may involve glacier travel, route finding or some travel on foot. These trips may involve multi-day outings. Example: Wapta Icefields, Haig-Robertson Glacier, North Twin, Mt. Gordon.

    A route rated as "Expert" will be ski mountaineering, may involve serious glacier travel, route finding or technical climbing. These trips may involve multi-day outings. Example: South Twin, Twins Tower, Mt. Collie / Ayesha, Mt. Robson, etc.

    Contact names and phone numbers are listed in the printed Summer Schedule, available to section members and mailed with the November edition of The Chinook, the section newsletter. For more information, please contact the Membership Coordinator with the section.

    Note: Trips that involve hut bookings, longer duration, or which have special requirements require extra planning on the part of the trip coordinator and are marked with comments. Please contact the trip coordinator at least 3 weeks prior to the trip date.


    Ice Climbing Ratings

    Ice climbing ratings are different in concept from rock climbing ratings in that they refer to overall seriousness instead of to the greatest difficulty encountered on the route. This rating does not necessarily include length or difficulty of the approach. Check with the leader before to be sure.

      Grade Description
      Grade 2 (WI2) A climb with short sections up to 80 degrees.
      Grade 3 (WI3) Sustained ice up to 80 degrees. May have short sections of steeper ice but will have good resting places.
      Grade 4 (WI4) A sustained full pitch of off-vertical or a shorter length (10-25 m) of vertical ice. The ice may have some technical features like chandeliers and may have long runouts between resting places.
      Grade 5 (WI5) A long strenuous pitch. May be a full ropelength of 88-90 degree ice with few resting places or a shorter pitch on bad, featureless ice.

    Note: Trips that involve hut bookings, longer duration, or which have special requirements require extra planning on the part of the trip coordinator and are marked with comments. Please contact the trip coordinator at least 3 weeks prior to the trip date.