spearhead traverse guide

The first time I did the Spearhead Traverse in a day, my brother Andy and I were on secura fixes, purple skins, and some random 200 cm race skis. The Spearhead traverse is on the top of the list of spring alpine ski traverses. The Spearhead Huts – providing an inspiring and accessible hut-to-hut experience on the West Coast. Big mountains and big glaciers. After finishing … Therefore you will likely need to arrange accommodations in Whistler the night before the trip. Being easier of the two, Garibaldi Neve will likely be be your first touch with the glaciated landscape of the southwest British Columbia. Connecting Blackcomb and Whistler mountains, the Spearhead Traverse takes us across glaciers, mountain cols … Wigley also explains how there is more than one way to ski the traverse and thinking up "creative enchainments," (trying to link up several climbing and skiing … Glacier route finding and navigation, avalanche and hazard … Hut Tour. Day 1 . Socials. Instead of the 15 minutes it takes via the Peak-2-Peak gondola, you can spend 1-4 days doing the same thing. With the massive amount of variations and peaks this traverse can be suited for a first time ski traverse experience to the big peak shredding vet looking to ski some peaks. Now with the new addition of the Spearhead Huts, a summer crossing is possible and very rewarding experience. This can also be combined with the Mystery Creek trip to make an amazing and committed seven-day mountain ski traverse. (If you hire a guide, you don’t need to be a great skier, but you should be comfortable sidehilling.) Pattison … info@spearheadhuts.org. The route has it all: 12 glaciers, 11 high alpine passes, 34 kms and some of the most spectacular mountain views around. Continue reading “Garibaldi Neve Traverse” → Share this: Click to … The approach through Whistler Village. From there, the traverse heads in a northerly direction and exits at the Rubble Creek trailhead near Daisy Lake, just south of Whistler. I did this. You will need to be in very good physical condition and should be familiar with basic ski touring techniques, such as making uphill kickturns, performing beacon searches, and you need to feel comfortable skiing in a variety of snow conditions including firm snow or ice, powder snow, crust, and wind blown snow. Bring your camera, the views and skiing are spectacular! Back to the traverse itself - local ski guide Alex Wigley's website Ski Theory helps to fill in some of the gaps between 1964 and 2013. Route description and planning guide. Trip Information. We’ll cover 25km of breathtaking backcountry scenery, in this overnight adventure with incredible skiing terrain.. Traversing the Spearhead mountain range was completed for the first time back in the 60’s as a winter ski trip. This route offers spectacular scenery and excellent skiing! On the tour two long and scenic days bring you to the Kees and Claire Hut, where you can potentially enjoy a few laps on Fissile Peak before you ski out on day 3. Clinch Park may be the quintessential Traverse City Park with 1500 feet of Grand Traverse West Bay footage right in the heart of city. Sports event in Whistler, BC, Canada by Mountain Skills Academy on Saturday, February 15 2020 Because of its high alpine character, the traverse is usually done in the spring when the days are longer and the weather is better and more reliable. Skiers registering for the Spearhead Traverse should have previous ski touring experience. add review. Type: out-and-back. Trorey. Town: Whistler, BC. And yet, mountaineers and ski tourers the world over … The first traverse in a single day was made in 1984 by Brian Finnie, Brian Sheffield and Graham Underhill. The route travels over glaciers and below stunning peaks with unforgettable views of the surrounding mountains and valley. While the … About Us. The Spearhead Traverse, the horseshoe-shaped route that links Blackcomb and Whistler mountains via a series of alpine glaciers, was first completed in 1964 by Karl Ricker and three friends from the University of British Columbia's Varsity Outdoor Club (VOC); Bert Port, Chris Gardner and Alistair MacDonald. Known as the Spearhead Traverse, this classic route is a winter and summer destination that draws hundreds of visitors per year. Plan to do the 15- to 25-miler in four days. The route goes from Blackcomb to Whistler through the Spearhead Mountain Range. In the early '90s, Canadians Trevor Peterson, Eric Pehota, and some friends quietly pioneered a number of huge first descents in the Coast Range. Author: Jake Bogoch Updated: Oct 6, 2017 Original: Feb 6, 2008 . Duration: 3 Days ; Challenge yourself with one of the most famous traverse in the Coast Mountains! This is located 30 minutes up a gravel road from Squamish. From the top of the glacier, drop down … While the trip can be done in a day by fit rando skiers, most … Christine (left) and David in transition. SPEARHEAD TRAVERSE. The Spearhead Traverse has been on my ‘to do’ list for a while. With its high mountain passes, breathtaking glaciers and daily descents it’s hard to believe that Whistler village is never more than 10 kilometres away. Time: 21 hrs. A quiet skintrack in the BC backcountry. HOME / MUTLI DAY TRIPS / SPEARHEAD TRAVERSE Spearhead Traverse Summer. David summits Mount Pattison on an afternoon side trip. In good visibility, the route is pretty obvious, but when things go murky the navigation can become very difficult (even with good waypoints in a GPS), with serious consequences if you make a wrong turn. Ski the “ Haute Route of the Americas” This majestic ski tour, considered the best in the Coast Range, has been named the “ Haute Route of the Americas,” connecting the spectacular, and rugged backcountry terrain of the Whistler and Blackcomb ski areas. Expand. Definition. The Spearhead Range is home to the increasingly popular and extraordinarily beautiful Spearhead Traverse. If … This is the ultimate trip to hone your winter skills in a challenging environment. On the 3-day Spearhead Traverse you will meet your guide early on day 1 and catch the first chair to the top of Blackcomb ski area. The route goes from Blackcomb to Whistler through the Spearhead Mountain Range. This article includes the definition of traverse surveying along with its classification, errors in traversing, checks, the completed method of traversing and plotting of traverse survey. The party spent its first night where the Rendezvous Lodge now sits, the next day embarking on a nine-day … Skiers headed for the Spearhead Traverse get a boost from Whistler Blackcomb lifts. This ski tour crosses over a dozen different glaciers and travels through spectacular high alpine terrain the entire way. Contact Page. With the knowledge of Altus Mountain Ski Guides the Spearhead Traverse will be easier and much safer with a guide. Cross the northern glaciated slopes of Mt. Difficulty: … drops down to the Decker Glacier, staying low and heading SE. We were exhausted, but went to both shows…. Spearhead Range Ski Traverse is the most famous and classic traverse in BC! These details … The scenery, however, will be grand. Spearhead Ski Traverse. A popular online guide book, trailpeak.com, provided the following information: The Traverse ; begins at the top of the Blackcomb Glacier, which is lift-accessed. Depending upon conditions and fitness levels, there are many … They ended up playing two sold out shows that night. Join Login . Let Altus Mountain Ski Guides take you safely up and over the mountains that make up the Spearhead Traverse. A vehicle shuttle is required in order to get between the trailheads, or we will arrange a drop-off/pick-up. It has, in recent years, spawned the Spearhead Huts Project. We can explore the Spearhead together as either a mountaineering or backpack trip! An ultra-classic coastal ski tour, the Spearhead Traverse links up the Spearhead range behind Blackcomb Mountain with the Fitzsimmons Range of Whistler in a spectacular horseshoe shaped high-elevation traverse. Get in Touch. 201 – 4309 Village Stroll, Whistler, BC, V8E 1E4 Canada. I still remember high fiving Dan Treadway at 3am, near … For more information about the hut amenities, location, cancellation policy, and information visit our ‘ User Guide page and FAQ page. Todd stays warm with a taste … Spearhead Range Ski Traverse is the most famous and classic traverse in BC! As a couple they could now guide people to achieving their dreams in the mountains – then patch them up if dreams led astray, say a torn knee or shoulder. submitted Photo BY doug wylie. There are two west coast ski classics – Spearhead traverse and Garibaldi Neve traverse. The Spearhead Traverse is one of the many popular multi day ski tours in the Coast Mountains of BC. CAD $2,799.00 . Mt. It typically takes one to four days, though the record is an unbelievable 4 hours! It is incredible that a ski traverse of such quality and easy access (we take the lift to the top of the … Travel. The well established ski route is fairly mellow. This classic coast mountain Haute Route starts on Whistler Mountain and works its way around the spectacular Spearhead Range. Two more huts are planned for winter 2018-19, so … 1 / 1 a family affair From left, Andrew and Bert Port and Karl and Maëlle Ricker gather for a photo during last month's Spearhead Traverse 50th anniversary trip. Their famous lines dot the Spearhead Traverse—a horseshoe-shaped Silk Road that starts in Blackcomb and ends at Whistler. The Northwest has the Spearhead Traverse, a classic high alpine ski tour. I want to do. Peaks for days. Avy risks aside, the biggest challenge with the Spearhead traverse is that you have to pass through a number of relatively small cols at high elevations. This ski tour crosses over a dozen different glaciers and travels through spectacular high alpine terrain the entire way. Guide Todd Anthony-Malone leads skiers Christine and David Hanson on British Columbia’s Spearhead Traverse. With easy access to 22 majestic miles of diverse backcountry terrain, including the crossing of 13 glaciers, the Spearhead is a superb … It was necessary to represent the Spearhead Traverse on Map 1 as accurately as possible. The route … It was a phenomenal experience. Picnic tables, a snack bar and restrooms are also available at this perfect little beach spot! Traversing is that type of survey in which a number of connected survey lines form the framework and the directions and lengths of the survey lines are … Instead of the 15 minutes it takes via the Peak-2-Peak gondola, you can spend 1-4 days doing the same thing. … 3 days of high glacier traversing and skiing. Traversing awesome terrain, bagging peaks, and of course making ski descents, are all features of this incredible three-day trip. This 3-day trip has easy access, a spectacular setting in the back country of the continent's best ski area, heavily glaciated terrain, and even a new state-of-the-art hut, make it a must for anybody who is serious about ski touring. Facebook; Instagram ; Proudly … This amazing ski traverse traces a very challenging route from Blackcomb Mountain to Whistler Mountain via the Spearhead Range. On March 24, 25 and 26 I skied from Blackcomb to Whistler along the Spearhead Traverse! With huts in place, it will be on par with European mountain experiences. At the end of the traverse we heard that Pennywise, an iconic punk band, was playing a gig that night in Whistler. Last April I had the pleasure of completing the Spearhead Traverse in the Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. It is a committing route that is almost exclusively alpine terrain with few options for escape in the event of poor weather. A great introduction to a multi-day ski traverse or an incredible way to spend a couple of days in the remote wilderness that connects Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains. Although the traverse is sometimes started from Whistler or Singing Pass, it is usually done starting from the lift accessed top of the Blackcomb Glacier. Stars: Activities: ski-bc Seasons: spring winter From: ChrisO. Depart the Blackcomb Ski Resort heading out across the blackcomb glacier, Decker Glacier, Pattison Glacier, … In December of 2006, they eagerly embraced the challenge of volunteering as ACC hut custodians and set out for a bold mid-winter traverse of the Wapta Icefields. PRV - Spearhead Traverse. Enjoy the ultimate 2 days ski touring traverse in British Columbia, which connects Blackcomb and Whistler mountains, with the unforgettable adventure of sleeping under the stars!. Next . edit text. Leaving Blackcomb Ski Area, traveling through 13 glaciers, around 14 mountains and 20 miles of distance, returning back into the Whistler Ski Area boundary. The Spearhead Traverse is the classic Coastal Traverse. The traverse was first completed … This is one of the classic multi-day split board traverses in the Coast Mountains of BC. Spearhead Traverse, British Columbia. Its not uncommon for people to have to set up … Spearhead Traverse. Spearhead Traverse Total Distance: 25 km. And fortunately for us it was sunny every day … The Spearhead Traverse has been on my ‘to do’ list for a while. Spearhead Traverse. The Spearhead is a 34 km traverse that starts from Blackcomb and ends on Whistler. The Spearhead Traverse is a spectacular horseshoe ski traverse linking Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Tragically, a mountaineering accident during the traverse took Kees and Claire’s lives when … Bring your camera, the views and skiing are spectacular! The ski tracks that Karl Ricker and company left behind on the Spearhead Traverse in 1964 have long since disappeared. add photo. [Good camping can be found here.] print. The Garibaldi Neve Traverse starts at the trailhead to the Elfin Lakes/Paul Ridge area (Diamond Head). Name: Spearhead Traverse: Starts: Sat Mar 16, 2019: Meetup: Meet at the Whistler Village Guest Services at 0730AM on Saturday, March 16th: Return: Mon Mar 18, 2019: Registration opens: Wed Feb 20, 2019: Event category: Backcountry Skiing: Difficulty grade: C4 : For members only: No: Screening used: Yes: Max participants: 6: Organizer: Brian … We had intended to do it in four days but because of possible incoming weather we did it in three. Trip Reports Reviews Thoughts Trip Reports Reviews Thoughts. Previous. They skied … You will travel across 13 glaciers in 3 days all above 2,000 metres! Hello, Visitor! Currently, there is a hut near Russet Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park (roughly 4 miles outside Whistler). Depending upon conditions and fitness levels, there are many … First skied in 1964 by well-known Whistler resident Karl Ricker and friends, the route follows the Fitzsimmons Range, taking 3-4 days to cover 35 km and 13 glaciers. Route The Spearhead Traverse varies in length depending on where you start and, yes, the conditions. Traverse Surveying is a popular method of surveying. All Altus Mountain Ski Guides are certified ACMG Ski Guides. A new ADAWALK walkway system at the park includes a wheelchair beach transfer station that allows access down to the sand, or water. This ski tour crosses over a dozen different glaciers and below stunning peaks with unforgettable of! Are spearhead traverse guide ACMG ski Guides are certified ACMG ski Guides take you safely up and over the mountains that up. Will likely need to arrange accommodations in Whistler the night before the trip and... 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