Chair's Message
Fall is upon us and it's the season for change. Our election is coming up this month so make sure to vote and have your say about who represents you on the board. I'd like to thank our outgoing board members Nina Veselka (Environment), Dustin Mclaclan (Volunteer Coordinator), Enid Higham (Social) and Jeremy Cherlet (Communications) for their contributions to the club over the past couple years. If you run into them at an event or on a trip, please make sure to thank them.
We have some exciting opportunities in the club this Winter. The fantastic Back Country Riders Mentorship program is back and a new Ice Progression Program is getting started this season. Check out our training page for more information: https://accedmonton.ca/about-training and get out and vote!
Steven Rockarts
Chair
ACC Edmonton
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October Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, October 22nd
7:00 PM
Introduction of candidates for upcoming election of your Executive Committee, including Volunteer Coordinator, Social Events Coordinator, Communication Chair and Environment Chair.
Following that will be a presentation by Martin Schwangler about his climbing highlights of this summer including some great Canadian gems and two spots in Europe (Dolomites and Austrian/Bavarian alps).
Additionally, he will present on skiing Mts. Resplendent and Robson.
This meeting is a week later than usual due to the long weekend.
Strathcona Community League Hall
10139 - 87 Ave.
Plenty of on-site parking.
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Election Statements: Volunteer Coordinator
The only position which will be elected this year is the Volunteer Coordinator. All other positions have been acclaimed.
Please see here the election statements from the two candidates for Volunteer Coordinator.
Checkland, Rick
I’ve been a member of the Edmonton section for over 50 years and a volunteer for almost that long, serving on the executive several times and being the chief instructor of both Winter in the Mountains and Summer in the Mountains for decades.
One hundred and fifty words isn’t a lot of space to talk about my intentions in this position but here goes the quick overview:
- Make membership benefits more accessible to new members by creating a welcome letter for new members and updating the website to provide new members more information and options to get involved.
- Make volunteering more accessible to members by keeping and updated a listing of volunteer opportunities on the website and communicating these in an ongoing manner through social media.
- Re-start Leadership orientation sessions to inform people about what’s involved and how easy it can be it can be to get involved.
- Increase volunteer appreciation activities
- Automate subsidy applications for volunteer leaders
If you would like to, please engage with me either on Facebook or email rick.checkland@gmail.com
Weiss, Danielle
My name is Danielle Weiss and I am running for the volunteer coordinator position. I have been fortunate to become an avid ice climber, backcountry skier, rock climber, hiker, and trip leader over my past few years with the ACC. I have experience coordinating volunteers for a homeless transitional ICU project which is currently at 100+ volunteers and growing, and have years of experience in organizational management from my employment.
As a young female, and I believe I speak for all women in the club, I have found it much harder to access the outdoors and gain specialized training relative to my male colleagues. I hope to continue bridging the gap for females and all ACC members who have difficulty accessing our wonderful backyard for any reason. Inclusion is a core value of mine, and I want to continue building this value within our organization.
If elected, I will work closely with our previous volunteer coordinator to ensure a smooth transition and continue to develop current projects. I also plan to implement a handbook for trip leaders, create a mentorship program for those who want to lead trips but are uncertain of how to begin, and improve collaboration among volunteers by implementing a new website-based ACC communication system. Further, as we continue to build out our activities like the Rock and Ice Progression Programs, Backcountry Mentorship Program, and Summer in the Mountains, I hope to enthusiastically motivate and be a role model for new volunteers, who may have felt unsure about their abilities for any reason, to try out new leadership roles.
Thank you for taking the time to become more informed about our 2019 ACC election. Please, make sure to vote. Your opinion is important and should be heard. I look forward to seeing you in town, or in the mountains, very soon.
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Safety Chair Message
I’m writing this as the first big snow storm has blown through the Rockies and the ice is starting to form. For me that’s a signal to review my systems, inspect my equipment, and start the daily weather watching rituals. These early snow storms can form the basis for winter’s snowpack, which unfortunately means facets, so I always track them with some seriousness.Here’s some tips on how to prepare for winter - skiing or climbing!
Practice Riding - and First Aid!
Last winter, there were two accidents on Section ski trips that involved leg injuries. While we can’t control all the conditions, some factors in these accidents included things we can control: overstepping our abilities and fitness. We have a long shoulder season, so spend some time this fall working on your fitness, and plan to make some time to practice at the hill.
Just as importantly, these accidents were managed because of the rescue and first aid knowledge in their groups! Being prepared by understanding the search and rescue system local to your area, and taking a Wilderness First Aid course (or better yet - Wilderness Advanced First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder) will help you be prepared for any eventuality.
Watch the Weather - Religiously
The weather and terrain make the snowpack, and the avalanche hazard. Unfortunately, Edmonton is a little far from the mountains so we can’t just look out our windows to understand what’s going on. Tracking weather systems throughout the season will help you manage the hazard everytime you make a trip out.
For your own weather log, you can use some of the following resources:
Don’t forget to track the avalanche bulletin daily as well.
Check your Equipment - and Your Skills!
In addition to sharpening your axes and waxing your skis, make sure that your probe, shovel, and beacon are in good repair and working order. Last year we updated all of the Section’s avalanche probes and beacons to modern standards: are you still using threaded avalanche probes, or two antenna beacons? It’s time to update! Here’s a great checklist by WildSnow for what to check on your skis, poles, boots, and skins.
It’s also a good time to start practicing - regularly! - with your beacon, shovel, and probe!. Find some friends at a club meeting, or on our Facebook page, and hide some beacons. Practice single beacon searches, two beacons, multiple beacons in close proximity, etc. Don’t forget to make time to practice when you’re out in the mountains! Did you know that recommended practice for shovelling has been updated? You can find more about Strike Team shovelling here!
But Rock Climbing Isn’t Over!
It sure isn’t! This recent cold snap may have some climbs seeping, but many routes will be back in condition shortly! That said, your mindset needs to be more like early season rock climbing, and here are some things you need to consider:
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Rockfall generated by melting snow;
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Seeping cracks increasing the difficulty of climbing and quality of protection;
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Consequences of small avalanches or spindrift on your route; and,
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Less daylight and lower temps!
While I’m still trying to tick-off some projects on Yamnuska this fall, I am definitely going to consider the route length, temps (including overnight!) and the hours of daylight on whether to carry a packable puffy, and a small foil bivy sack on my harness. They can make the difference between survivable mistakes and serious injury or death.
Play safe out there!
Foster Karcha
Safety Chair
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Backcountry Riders Mentorship Program - Apply Now!
BRMP is an intermediate, group mentorship program developed for skiers and split-boarders who are aiming to go deeper into the backcountry in search of more challenging routes in avalanche terrain. Through several mountain trips and in-town workshops, experienced Edmonton Section volunteers will help you develop techniques and practices to take your backcountry experience to the next level and improve your independent decision-making. For more information and to apply, please check out our website, here.
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Ski Mountaineering Program
The ACC Edmonton Ski Mountaineering Program (SMP) is designed to supplement club trips to progress in the area of ski mountaineering.
Participants have a choice of three levels of courses: intro, intermediate, and advanced. These courses are not intended to be taken all in one year - a participant could take the intro course one year, intermediate the next, and then spend a few seasons building experience before moving onto advanced.
Venues include many popular ski mountaineering areas in the Canadian Rockies (or Columbias), such as the Wapta Icefield, the Icefields Parkway, the Columbia Icefield, and Rogers Pass.
All courses are taught by ACMG/IFMGA guides to ensure participant safety and high-quality instruction.
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Crevasse Rescue Refresher
Get ready for winter glacier travel season by attending the Crevasse Rescue refresher on Oct. 20, right here in Edmonton! Rick Checkland will be leading participants through a demonstration of a few rescue systems (CDL and 3:1) that are important for both participants and trip leaders. For location, details, and to RSVP, please follow this link to Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/crevasse-rescue-systems-refresher-tickets-76158198221
Questions specific to gear can be sent to rick.yeg.acc@gmail.com.
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NEW Rockies Guide Book!
We will have 40 copies of the new guidebook, Confessions of a Ski Bum: Kicking Horse Pass, available for purchase at the Ski Stoke and Film Night on October 26. The book covers day trips starting at The Great Divide Lodge and O'Hara parking areas. This 128 page professionally produced book covers everything from low angle tree skiing, for when the avalanche danger spikes, to gnarly glacier lines and steep couloirs. We are selling these for the retail cost of $25 and all proceeds will go towards our Avalanche Canada fundraiser.
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Winter in the Mountains course dates announced
WIM is a basic course in winter travel based on ski travel. Some basic ski skill is required; comfort on at least green runs is necessary for success on the practical weekends.
The course consists of 4 lectures on Tuesday evenings in January.
Two road based hostel skills weekends February 8, 9 or February 29, March 1.
Two backcountry hut based ski touring weekends March 7, 8 or March 14, 15.
There may be a camping weekend in March as well, depending on interest.
The basic curriculum consists of: equipment, clothing, travel skills, winter outdoor living skills, basic avalanche skills. We do not teach skiing as such except for incidental coaching.
Contact rick.checkland@gmail.come to register or for more information.
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Tonquin Work Party
Still some room left on this annual weekend
Some cleaning of the hut plus some hiking and a thanksgiving Turkey Dinner
Lots of fun. No Bugs, little mud expected. The best time to visit this great valley and a classic ACC hut.
Don’t wait too long as I have to prepare the food.
Contact rick.checkland@gmail.com
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Backcountry Ski Film-Fest Stoke Night
We're hosting a ski film night to build some stoke for the upcoming season and to raise some funds for a worthy cause (Avalanche Canada).
Sponsors Track n' Trail and SkiUphill have donated some awesome door prizes!
Come out and see some films, make ski season plans, meet some buddies, and have a good time!
Location: Landsdowne Community League
Date: October 26th, 2019
Time: Doors at 7:00 PM, Films at 7:30 PM
Cost: Entry by donation (all proceeds to AvCan)
Questions: Contact jeremy.cherlet@gmail.com
Due to space constraints, we're limited to 100 attendees.
Alcohol will be sold and consumed at this event. Please plan to consume and get home responsibly.
If you would like to help out with the evening, or are part of a business/group that would like to sponsor the event, please email jeremy.cherlet@gmail.com
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Trip Report: Family Section at Stanley Mitchell
Check out Forrest's account of his time at the Stanley Mitchell hut with his daughter this summer on the Family Section trip!
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Volunteer Award Nominations
Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Alpine Club of Canada. Season to season, day in and day out for over a century, our volunteers run the sections, write articles, lead trips, oversee in-town events, and demonstrate their commitment to the club. The ACC Volunteer Awards are one small way that we hope to show them our appreciation. Please consider nominating a volunteer that has made a difference in your Club experience! For a description of all awards and to fill out a nomination form, please visit alpineclubofcanada.ca. Please contact volunteering@accedmonton.ca to let us know if you are nominating someone, if you have questions, or could use some help! Nominations are due Dec. 31.
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What's the board doing?
Minutes for the Edmonton Board Meetings are published on the web site: https://accedmonton.ca/executive-meeting-minutes
Minutes are approved at the following meeting so generally lag a month.
If you have any question or ideas that you would like the board to consider please contact me secretary@accedmonton.ca or any of the board members: https://accedmonton.ca/executive
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The Breeze is the newsletter of the Edmonton Section of the Alpine Club of Canada and is e-mailed to all section members. This newsletter is published biweekly, and serves as a vehicle to inform section members of upcoming events and issues of concern. Submissions of trip reports, photos, technical articles, opinion pieces and announcements are highly encouraged!
The Breeze accepts commercial advertising. A variety of ad sizes are available. Rates vary depending on size and number of insertions. We run personal advertising and notices for section members free of charge.
Inquiries and submissions can be e-mailed to communications@accedmonton.ca. We reserve the right to edit material submitted for publication. The opinions presented in published articles are solely those of their authors. |
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