Outdoor LEADERSHIP Winter camp INFORMATION:
WINTER CAMP 4 (UPDATED)
March 14 (3:30-5:00 pm): Afternoon trip planning session at Derby.
March 15 (9:00-4:00): Student gear checks, trip prep, food shop and outfitting at Derby
March 16 (7:00 am): Depart Derby for Mt. Washington Resort and winter camping trip
March 18 (~4:00 pm): Return to Derby
TRIP DESCRIPTION:
On the Winter camping trip, students will travel on touring skis or snowshoes from the trailhead to a camping location in the forest. Students will camp on the snow in tents, build snow kitchens and tour the area on skis/snowshoes. Temperatures range from +5’c to -20’ c. Students must be well prepared for cold weather.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: This is a “guided instructional trip” designed to introduce students to winter camping and backcountry touring. The following topics will be introduced:
- Ski touring/snowshoeing equipment (climbing skins, snowshoes, avalanche safety gear...)
- Ski touring/snowshoeing practices (route selection, group travel, hazard recognition and avoidance)
- Winter camping techniques (campsite selection, winter shelters, cooking and minimum impact techniques)
- Backcountry ski/snowshoe techniques
TERRAIN/TRIP LOCATION SELECTION: We have selected the area between Mt. Washington resort’s Raven Lodge and Lake Helen Mackenzie for this trip. The location includes groomed cross-country ski trails, small forested hills and low-angle slopes. Those elements make it well-suited to provide an introduction to winter camping and ski/snowshoe touring while avoiding avalanche hazards. We will also provide students with an introduction to and training on avalanche safety equipment in this very simple terrain. The following excerpt from the Parks Canada winter terrain classification system identifies our trip location as simple terrain.
Simple (Class 1) terrain requires common sense, proper equipment, first aid skills, and the discipline to respect avalanche warnings. Simple terrain is usually low avalanche risk, ideal for novices gaining backcountry experience. These trips may not be entirely free from avalanche hazards, and on days when the Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is rated ‘Poor', you may want to re-think any backcountry travel that has exposure to avalanches – stick to groomed x-country trails, or within the boundaries of a ski resort.
PROPOSED ITINERARY: Note: This is a tentative schedule that may change due to weather conditions, etc.
Day 1 (3:30-5:00 pm): Afternoon leadership session at Derby. Students do not need to bring their camping clothing and equipment to this meeting. Students return home for the night.
Day 2 (9-4 pm): Full prep day at Derby. This will include packing, menu planning, group and personal gear outfitting. Students return home for the night.
Day 3 (7 am): Meet at Derby and depart for Mt. Washington Alpine Resort. Ski/snowshoe into camp near Helen Mackenzie/Battleship Lake. Set up camp/tents in the snow. Camp overnight in the snow/backcountry.
Day 4: Tour day and winter experience training. Depart from base camp for day ski/snowshoe tour of surrounding area. Camp overnight in the snow/backcountry.
Day 5: Alpine start and early ski/snowshoe out to trailhead. Return to Derby at 3:30 pm.
ACTIVITY PRE-REQUISITES: Students must be registered in the Grade 11/12 Outdoor Leadership Course. Students should be physically fit and prepared for a challenge.
TRANSPORTATION DETAILS: Students will be traveling to and from activities in a SMUS school bus or a school van driven by one of the instructors.
ACCOMMODATION: Students will spend two nights camping in tents in the snow in the backcountry. Students will be sharing 3 or 4-person tents with other students.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Please see the winter camp equipment list for details. In the OED equipment room we have a large assortment of excellent outdoor gear to lend to students. This includes backpacks, winter clothing (jackets, fleeces, snowpants), winter sleeping bags, foamies…
GEAR CHECK: Students will complete a gear check at Derby with guides prior to the trip. Students should bring everything they do have, even if they aren’t sure if it is quite the correct thing. The guides will check their gear and then outfit students with any missing items.
FOOD: Students should bring a lunch on the training day and money/bank card for meals en route to Mt. Washington Alpine resort. All other meals will be provided. Students will be cooking meals over camp stoves.
STAFFING: Each group of students will have a minimum of 2 adult guides/instructors with them. External (non-SMUS staff) guides are professional outdoor guides. The area falls under the Simple Terrain classification as used by the National Parks.
GUIDE CERTIFICATION: Lead Guides have as a minimum: Advanced Wilderness First Aid Certification, AST2 avalanche certification and extensive winter backcountry touring experience. SMUS OED Instructors have as a minimum: significant winter backcountry experience, extensive experience working with youth and first aid training.
INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIO: 1:6
EMERGENCY MEDICINE: Students should not be self-administering ANY medication, even if it is part of their own regular routine, without discussing it first with the guides. Students with asthma, severe allergies and medical conditions should bring a clearly labelled set of the appropriate medication and discuss the treatment with the guides prior to the trip.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: This is a school-sponsored outing and school rules will apply. Participants are expected to follow the guidelines set by the instructional staff. A failure to meet these guidelines or a failure to follow school rules may result in the participant being removed from the activity at their own expense.
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: The Leader-in charge is responsible for carrying the following: An appropriate first aid kit, Cell phone or pre-established means to communicate with the school or emergency services, Emergency Call Plan, Student Medical Information.