After flying in to establish a base camp, each day will be spent ski touring on the surrounding glaciers, giving you a chance to learn and improve your backcountry and glacier skiing skills in an exceptional region.

Please also see our Pantheon Ski Tours for similar trips close to the Waddington Range

Dates:
March 29 - April 6, 2008
Dates are inclusive of travel dates, please see Logistics section.

All members of this camp should have winter camping and backcountry skiing experience. Strong-intermediate or better skiing/'boarding ability is required. Alpine Touring or Telemark skiing equipment required for skiers and Snowboarders must have split boards and skins. Touring inserts for downhill skis are not appropriate for this trip.

Al participants must be in good to excellent physical condition. Day lengths are varied, with the longest tours requiring 10 hours away from camp with 15 km’s of travel and up to 2,000+ meters of vertical.

The summit massif of Waddington is completely surrounded by massive glaciers radiating outward in all directions. Our Camp will be located at 2,200 meters at the confluence of the Dais, Regal and Franklin Glaciers. The Franklin Glacier the biggest glacier in the Waddington Ranges, and flows over 30 km to the coast at Knight Inlet.

The nearest community to the Central Waddington Range is 90 km's to the northeast, at Tatla Lake in the western Chilcotin's. We will be staging our flights out of Bluff Lake just outside of Tatla Lake.

Training is also provided to help people develop winter skills in mountainous glaciated and alpine terrain. Extensive route finding, track setting, glacier skiing and avalanche awareness skills will be covered on this trip. Each day will be spent exploring new bowls, glaciers and ridges, with potential for ski ascents/descents of 3,000 meter peaks. Runs are up to 1,100 meters in length!

Day 1 (March 29, 2008)
The first day the group will meet at 1600 hrs in Bluff Lake and enjoy a relaxed dinner at the White Saddle B&B, hosted by Lori and Dave King. This time spent in the casual and relaxed setting of the King's western Chilcotin Ranch has proven to be the highlight for many groups traveling into Waddington!

Day 2
Up early and off to the heli pad to meet with our Pilot, Mike King. After a safety briefing and final gear check, we will board Mike's new 206 Long-Ranger helicopter for the spectacular 30 minute flight into the heart of the coast mountains. Flying past countless glaciers, icefalls and un-climbed granite spires on this approach is almost as good as the skiing that is waiting for you!

Once on the glacier at 2,200 meters we spend the rest of the morning establishing our base camp, before heading off for a short afternoon tour to check out our new backyard and get in some turns.

Day 3 - 7
These days are spent exploring the surrounding glaciers and peaks, with tours each day into a different region. Options include ski-ascents of Mount Munday, Mount Chris Spencer and Finality peaks, as well as extensive tours on the many glaciers cascading off the flanks of Mount Waddington.

Day 8
This will be a flight day to exit the mountains. The morning will be spent taking down camp and packing up with an expected flight time of noon. The evening will be again spent at the Kings B&B, a great time to celebrate a great trip and re-tell stories!

Day 9 (April 6, 2007)
This is a the travel day to get back to Vancouver, or other points.

NOTE:
Please note that all flights are contingent on safe flying weather and conditions. Field schedules are based on current travel conditions, avalanche hazard and weather - all of these factors will influence actual day-to-day objectives.

Due to the nature of travel and flying in mountain conditions, Canada West Mountain School cannot guarantee that the above schedule or objectives will be adhered to.

• Touring skis (AT or Tele); or, split snowboard
• Boots - touring boots appropriate to your bindings. A warm and comfortable boot is recommended.
• Poles (collapsible poles are best for 'boarders)
• Climbing skins for skis or split board
• Daypack, approx 30-40 liters capacity suitable for carrying all required gear.
• Hard shell outerwear jacket – waterproof/breathable type with hood (Gore-tex, etc.) (1)
• Outerwear pants or bibs – same as above (ones with full zips are nice for ventilation while touring)
• Personal active-wear clothing layers that are adjustable and suitable for all conditions (no cotton)
• Down or synthetic warm parka/jacket
• Sleeping bag – down or synthetic; good for –15 degrees Celsius
• Sleeping pads – Therma rest type and closed cell foam style (1 each)
• Lightweight camp booties for around camp (optional)
• Personal kit (toothbrush, personal meds, etc.)
• Gaiters (unless your ski pants have built-in gaiters or snow-cuffs)
• Gloves or mitts with removable wool or synthetic liners (1 pair, plus 1 pair extra)
• Lightweight gloves - wind stopper, fleece, etc (1 pr)
• Sweater or vest - wool, fleece or down
• Toque/warm hat - wool or fleece
• Hat with sun brim - baseball cap style (1)
• Sunglasses with side protection and 100% UV blockage
• Ski goggles
• Headlamp with fresh batteries plus 1 set extra batteries
• Misc. personal items (camera, journal, etc.)
• Water bottle/hydration system w/insulation - 2 liter
• Compass & map in waterproof bag (optional)
• Note pad and pencil
• Knife - small pocket-knife style
• Avalanche transceiver (supplied by CWMS if needed)
• G3 Shovel (supplied by CWMS if needed)
• G3 Probe (supplied by CWMS if needed)
• Harness (supplied by CWMS if needed)
• Duffel bag or large backpack to transport gear

All other group gear, base camp supplies, safety gear and emergency equipment is supplied by CWMS.

Please go over this list before the trip to ensure that you are properly prepared. Contact our office if you have any questions, and we can suggest places for you to purchase or rent equipment if needed. Keep in mind that you will be spending all of your time outdoors in the snow in cold conditions (-5 to -20), and that the weather can vary from one extreme to the other. It is recommended that you also have a set of spare street clothes for the end of the trip after you have left the mountains.

• Driving - this option takes approximately 8-10 hours from Vancouver, driving through the central Chilcotin plateau, via Williams Lake, to White saddle Air Services at Bluff Lake, where the helicopter is stationed. We encourage ride sharing on this trip. No bus service is available.
• Flying - there are scheduled flights into a nearby airstrip at Anahim Lake. Once at Anahim transportation can be arranged for the 1.5 hour drive back to Bluff Lake. See Pacific Coastal Air for scheduled flights
• Charter - if there is group of people who want to arrange a charter flight we can arrange that directly into the Bluff Lake region, based on party-size and airstrip conditions.

Please contact our office directly to discuss these options.