 
mountain adventures
MOUNTAINEERING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
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Mountaineering, Climbing, and Skiing In The Canadian Rockies
Join David Begg, Yamnuska Director on his annual ski mountaineering week, to be held next spring at spectacular Mistaya Lodge. Mistaya Lodge is tucked hard against the continental divide at the head of Wildcat Creek, a tributary of the Blaeberry Valley east of Golden, B.C. It has all the right ingredients for a successful April ski mountaineering week: North facing glaciers which hold the powder and extensive south facing slopes which are good for corn snow. Just over Baker Saddle are the Wapta Icefields and an alternate exit route if you'd like to ski to the very end! As usual the emphasis of the week will be to get out and ski as much as possible. April is the best month for ski mountaineering and the area has great options for easy peaks and extensive glacier ski tours. So come and join us for a week of fun, hopefully sun and great mountain skiing! 2008 DateMarch 30 - April 6 PriceNew Spring Special price $1500 CDN includes guiding, use of technical gear, lodge accommodation, meals and helicopter flights. Transportation to the helipad is your responsibility. Cancellation insurance is available for $79. GST is extra.
Currency Exchange Calculator Meeting Time and PlaceThe closest town to Mistaya Lodge is Golden, British Columbia. We will be flying from the Alpine Helicopters base at Golden Airport. Because flights start at 845am you should plan on staying in Golden the night before. The meeting point will be at the Alpine Helicopters base at the Golden Airport at 8am. You will be able to leave vehicles in their compound whilst on the trip. See the Transportation section for details on shared transport to Golden the previous evening. The Accommodation section has info on Golden accommodation options. If flying here for the trip we suggest you plan on flying out from Calgary as late as possible on Sunday to allow for any weather related delays leaving the Hut.
View south from Mistaya Lodge, photo courtesy Mistaya Lodge Program Agenda
Guides & Group SizeThe trip will be hosted by David Begg and Maria Cashin, owners of Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. David has been a fully-certified guide since 1983. There will be a minimum of 8 participants, a maximum of 14.
April 2007 ski group at Fairy Meadows Difficulty & PrerequisitesParticipants should be able to ski in the backcountry at least to an advanced intermediate level. The terrain can be tight in places on the glacier and you must be able to maintain full control. 'Advanced intermediate' means that you are comfortable making parallel turns on most terrain at a ski hill and that you have enough ski skills to deal safely with all but the most extreme terrain found at a ski hill (that is to say you can stop, turn around then traverse out of areas you can't handle). You also need to be in good aerobic shape, as you will have to "skin" up everything you ski down. You will get a good workout each day so need to be ready. You will be skiing with a daypack containing your lunch, water and spare clothing. No prior ski mountaineering experience needed.
Bill skiing BC powder, April 2007 TrainingAny training you can do will greatly enhance your experience. The ideal would be to do some ski touring or X-C skiing in your own area. Don't try to go too fast but concentrate on even breathing and pacing. The hillier the terrain the better and if you can carry a moderate day pack then better still. Running or cycling is also good training. TransportationParticipants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore and to the helipad in Golden B.C. However we will be running a small passenger van from Canmore to Golden the night before in addition to which there is usually a good car pool. We will be organizing car pools and transport with the possibility of group members skiing out to the Banff-Jasper highway in mind. Should this happen your luggage plus any group members who choose not to do this will fly out to Golden, they and luggage can be brought back to Canmore if necessary. Canmore is a 1hour (100km) drive west from Calgary. Golden is a further 1.5 hours drive west. Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. Greyhound Bus Lines (1 800 661 8747) serves Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway. Call 609 0300, 609 1490 or 609 8897 for taxis in Canmore. AccommodationMistaya Lodge is one of the nicest Lodges in the backcountry. It is located on the western side of the Rockies at 2045m in Wildcat Creek. Banff National Park is immediately to the north and east, Yoho National Park to the south and west. Nestled in the trees by a small lake, the Lodge is a spacious two-story post and beam structure. There are pleasant living areas with great views of the mountains plus good drying facilities. 6 upstairs bedrooms accommodate up to 14 guests in single and double bunks. Comfy duvets and all bedding is supplied. Two indoor washing rooms supplement a separate bath house and sauna. The two charming outhouses complement an indoor toilet for night-time use. For accommodation in Golden before the trip we recommend: the Prestige Inn or the Best Western Mountainview Inn or Mary's Motel. The trip members usually get together for the evening perhaps joining James to explore the Golden Nightlife! If staying in Canmore before or after the trip there are lots of options available including hostels, B'n'Bs, motels and hotels! Check accommodation options on our links page for our recommendations. The Alpine Club Clubhouse (403 678 3200) is a good hostel here in Canmore with good facilities and reasonable prices.
Mistaya Lodge under lots of snow! MealsMistaya is ranked among the top 10 backcountry lodges for the quality of its cuisine. Meals at the Lodge will be great! These will be prepared by Mistaya's resident cook. Your occasional assistance with household chores would be appreciated however. All out-trip meals, snacks and drinks are supplied. We will be flying in regular food items (no freeze dry foods etc). We do cater to regular vegetarians (no meat, dairy OK); let us know if you need vegetarian meals. Please let us know, well in advance, if you have any dietary restrictions. Equipment & ClothingA weight allowance of 16Kg (35lbs) applies. This does not apply to skis and ski boots (which must be worn for the flight in) Excess baggage charges apply to any surplus. You will need to bring your own clothing, avalanche beacon, snow shovel, probe, skis, poles, climbing skins and daypack. We have many of these items available to rent and if not can pre-arrange them for you. We supply other group safety items (ropes, harnesses, crevasse rescue gear etc). Rental Gear You will be able to leave excess gear in Canmore whilst on the trip The equipment and clothing you bring will have a big impact upon the quality of your experience. Please be sure to bring all items listed. If unsure about anything please don't hesitate to call and ask us! SkisThere are two ski systems you can use: System 1 'Alpine Touring' skis are essentially 'downhill skis' with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then 'locks down' to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background of downhill skiing who is not already an advanced telemark skier. System 2 'Telemark' skis. These should only be used for this program if you are at least an advanced-intermediate telemark skier with some backcountry experience. This system is more difficult and less forgiving than the other. Which should you use? If you are a downhill skier then you should use 'Alpine Touring' gear. Only if you are already an advanced 'Telemark' skier should you bring 'Telemark' gear. Ski gear (alpine touring and telemark) can be rented directly from Mistaya Lodge. Let us know if you would like to do this. If bringing a 2nd set of skis an excess baggage charge of $15 will apply. Equipment ListYou need to bring:
Optional EquipmentYamnuska supplies but feel free to bring anyway:
Clothing ListWe suggest bringing light clothing of varying thicknesses that can be 'layered' to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest and from the ascent to the descent.
Yamnuska has avalanche beacons, shovels, probes for rent Rental Gear
InsuranceShould you need to be evacuated you may be liable for this cost. It is wise, to ensure that your health plan will cover you in this case or in case of illness or accident whilst here. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. Booking InformationPlease book as early as practical to
avoid disappointment. We require a $552 CDN deposit including taxes with the balance due 8
weeks in advance, after that, full payment is required. To avoid
unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation
insurance for an extra non-refundable $79, this must accompany your
deposit.
Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Click here for waiver copy. PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO
CONTACT US IF
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Yamnuska Mountain
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