Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue For Backcountry Skiers
Our 2 day glacier travel and crevasse rescue course is designed specifically for backcountry skiers and splitboarders. As backcountry skiers in BC, much of our time is spent skiing on glaciers with crevasse hazards. This course will teach you about glaciers, route selection, snow anchors, roped travel techniques, unroped skiing, crevasse rescue, and modern lightweight equipment for skiers (Petzl RAD LINE).
Who’s it for?
- Backcountry skiers and splitboarders with some prior ski touring experience
- AST 1
- Fitness for up to 2-3 hours of travel per day
- No prior rope or climbing experience is required
Course Location: Day 1 in North Vancouver and Day 2 in Blackcomb.
You will learn the following:
- Glaciology 101: glaciers, crevasses, bergschrunds, icefalls, climate change effects
- Identification of likely areas of hazard
- Route selection to minimize risk
- Rope work 101: learn the basics of knots, hitches, ratchets, harness tie-ins, etc.
- Snow and ice anchors
- Rappel and rope ascending
- Crevasse rescue systems: drop loop, 3:1 haul, 6:1 haul, advantages
- Roped up glacier travel techniques
- When it’s appropriate to ski unroped
- Route selection to minimize glacier hazards
- Hands on rescue scenario
Scheduled Courses – 2019/2020
| November 30, December 1 | $325 CAD/person | 
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| December 21, 22 | $325 CAD/person |
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Important: You will be required to sign a waiver at the beginning of your course. Please ensure you have read and understood the waiver prior to the course start date.
Course Waiver: ACMGRELEASE.pdf
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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Day 1 MORNING (08:00 to 12:00): Vancouver classroom and dry land rope training
- Glaciology 101: glaciers, crevasses, bergschrunds, icefalls, climate change effects
- Identification of likely areas of hazard
- Route selection to minimize risk
- Rope work 101: learn the basics of knots, hitches, ratchets, harness tie-ins, etc.
Day 1 AFTERNOON (12:30 to 16:00): Cypress Provincial Park
- Snow and ice anchors
- Rappel and rope ascending
- Crevasse rescue systems: drop loop, 3:1 haul, 6:1 haul, advantages
- Rescue scenario
Day 2 (08:30 to 16:00): Blackcomb – Glacier Travel Field Day
- Roped up glacier travel techniques
- When it’s appropriate to ski unroped
- Identification of likely areas of hazard
- Route selection to minimize glacier hazards
You will need the following gear for your day:
- Ski touring or splitboard equipment
- Ski gloves and lightweight gloves for ropework
- Helmet & Googles
- Avalanche Transceiver (Digital, 3 antenna)
- Avalanche Shovel
- Avalanche Probe
- 30-40l backpack
- Harness
- 4 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners
- 1 triple action locking carabiner
- Black Diamond ATC, Petzl Reverso, or similar belay device
- 3x 7mm Prussik Cord (7mm cord, 5m length)
- Double length (120cm) dyneema sling
- Petzl Microtraxion (Optional)
- Petzl Tibloc (Optional)
- Pulley for >9mm rope (Optional)
