V. I. Hut Touring - Pre Trip Information Thank you for choosing Island Alpine Guides for your week-end of hut based ski touring. This package contains some information about your trip and information to help you prepare for the week-end including a complete equipment list. The guide for your trip will be in contact with you a few days before the trip to inform you of meeting times and places and to coordinate transport, food and any other logistical details. In the meantime if you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact us by email at info@islandalpineguides.com or by telephone on 250 897 2990. We wish you an enjoyable week-end in the mountains, Jan Neuspiel Director/Guide - Island Alpine Guides
Trip Overview We re excited to have you joining us as we pioneer hut based touring on Vancouver Island. While the hut you ll be in for the week end is not The Ritz we re sure that the comfort of a warm wood stove and a dry floor underfoot after a day of exploring awesome island terrain will be a delight! If you are coming from down island to allow for an early start we recommend arriving in the Sayward area on Friday evening. We have arranged accommodation very near the trailhead at Mountainside Farm. Rates range from $25/person for hostel/hut style to $75 for a self contained suite or $40 for a private room with shared bath. Contact us if you d like to arrange accommodation for the night before your trip. Your trip starts early on Saturday morning with a relatively short trip in to the hut (a couple of hours for most groups). After dropping our gear at the hut and having a snack it s straight back out to start exploring the lines that the area has to offer. Depending on conditions these could range from big alpine descents to awesome glades. We ll get back to the hut in time for dinner and a warm drink by the fire before we settle in for the night. The second day of our trip is a full day of riding in the mountains and exploring all this fine area has to offer. We ll get back to the hut in the afternoon in time to grab our gear and ski out having you back to the trailhead by about 4pm. Preparation You will maximise your enjoyment on this trip by being prepared. The equipment list provided will prepare you to be comfortable in the field regardless of the weather. The fitness suggestions will allow you to enjoy the skiing rather than struggling with it. The choice to use alpine touring, telemark skis or a split-board is up to you. Choose the mode of transport you are most comfortable and competent with. Split-boards are welcome but please ensure you are familiar with how they work and the limitations of the equipment. Change overs from touring to riding are the trickiest part of using split board systems. Gain proficiency by practicing with gloves on and in inclement conditions. Please be sure to have all of the clothing and equipment on the attached list. Being cold and uncomfortable on the trip is unnecessary and unpleasant. A warm down or synthetic parka is useful to stay warm at rest stops. Extra gloves are useful.
A thermos of hot tea is a nice comfort! Being physically fit will increase your enjoyment of the trip. Prepare by focusing on cardio-vascular activity with a pack on. Walking or skiing up-hill with a pack makes excellent training two to three times a week if possible. Food Logistics If IAG is catering your trip the only thing you need to do is let us know of any dietary restrictions or preferences that you have and we ll take care of the rest. If you have not asked us to cater the trip you can certainly change your mind on that as long as you give us a few days notice before the trip. We ll cater this trip from lunch on day one to lunch on day two for $65/person. If you are catering the trip yourself we ask that you include the guide in your menu planning for the one dinner at the hut. The guide will take care of the remainder of his/ her own meals. Equipment List Items marked with + can be provided by IAG. Please let us know if you require this item from us. Items marked with * are optional. Clothing: Synthetic, wool or silk thermal underwear top and bottom Wool, fleece or pile sweater or jacket Insulating pants of wool, fleece or pile Wind and waterproof jacket and pants Down or synthetic jacket for extra insulation on top Toque Mitts or gloves plus a spare pair. Gear: Touring Skis / Split Board
Poles Boots Skins (Ski Tak Hut in Courtenay is offering a very generous 50% off on backcountry gear rentals to IAG customers while on an IAG trip or course. Use the voucher on the last page of this document to receive your discount. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING THE VOUCHER AND A COPY OF YOUR BOOKING CONFIRMATION FOR THIS TRIP WITH YOU TO SKI TAK HUT. IF YOU DO NOT BRING THESE THINGS YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE DISCOUNT!) Avalanche Transceiver + Shovel + Avalanche Probe + Compass * Altimetre * Toilet Paper Personal small first air kit (blister kit) SPF Lip Balm Sunscreen Water Bottle Thermos * Sunglasses Ski Goggles Back pack to carry everything on this list Overnight Equipment: Sleeping Bag (warm to about -10 depending on time of year and forecast temps) Insulated Sleeping Mat Insulated Booties* Cup, Bowl and Spoon Please be sure that all clothing and equipment is in good repair and functioning properly with boots fitted properly to bindings.
If you are bringing your own avalanche transceiver be sure that it is a modern, digital three antenna transceiver and that it has fresh batteries in it. Be sure that skins are fitted properly to skis or boards and that they stick properly. Malfunctioning equipment uses up precious time for all participants. Please come properly prepared. Finally a reminder that you will be required to sign our standard waiver at the start of the trip. Please be sure that you have read and understood this waiver before coming to the trip. You will have read the waiver during the on line registration process. If you would like us to email you a copy please send us an email to request this. Participants under the age of 19 must request a copy of the waiver and bring it along to the trip with the signature of a parent or legal guardian in the appropriate place on the waiver.
50% OFF VOUCHER FOR BACKCOUNTRY RENTALS AT SKI TAK HUT This voucher is only valid for backcountry rentals being used on an IAG course or trip. To get 50% off you MUST bring the following with you to Ski Tak Hut when picking up your rentals: 1) This Voucher printed in hard copy. AND 2) A printed copy of the Island Alpine Guides Booking Confirmation which you received by email when you registered for the course or trip. This booking confirmation must show that you are renting the gear precisely for the dates that you are on an IAG course or trip. If you do not have the above two things with you when picking up the gear you will not receive the 50% discount. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.