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Sk3[3] - Backcountry Splitboarding/AST 1 Refresher! · Sunday, April 9th, 2017

Warning: This is an old trip - it already happened

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Organized by: Zack Wentz.

Start: Sunday, Apr. 9th, 8:00 am
End: Sunday, Apr. 9th, 8:00 pm
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Apr. 6th, 7:30 pm
Pre-trip meeting location: Clubroom (or immediately outside of it)

Description:

**UPDATE**: This trip was tentative due to some sampling constraints I had with my research as well as weather constraints. The new date is set and the event will be happening on this date!

Hello all VOC single-plankers! Have you been getting stoked all winter long seeing your friends' photos from all these phenomenal backcountry skiing destinations and wish you could make it out but didn't know how to with your snowboard? Or have you been riding Whistler for multiple weekends; loved the snow but not so much loved the hour long waits in the lines (or maybe the T-bar when it gets windy)? Well wait no further! Join me, and a few other extremely stoked and experienced VOC instructors/co-leads on an introductory day-trip in the backcountry specifically tuned to splitboaders! We'll go to destinations where we'll shred all the fresh pow and learn a plethora of backcountry skills in the process. In addition, this trip will review concepts discussed on AST 1, and give participants the opportunity to practice some terrain selection techniques learnt on that course. If this all sounds interesting to you, please verify you have the pre-requisite skills listed below, then sign up and get stoked!! And if you're still not convinced, here's a photo of my buddy Marc grabbing the sun on one of our trips a few years back:

Marc grabbing the sun after lauching off a jump in the Shames Mtn backcountry. Photo Credit: Nathan Starzynski

Pre-Requisites:

  • Be comfortable and competent riding a slope rated black diamond difficulty (30-35 degrees) in a variety of snow conditions (powder, wet snow, corn, ice, hardpack, variable conditions, etc)
  • Have significant experience (greater than 15 days total) riding off-piste at a resort with a variety of conditions, such as Whistler Blackcomb, Revelstoke, etc (deep powder, variable snow, hardpack, ice, exposed rocks/shrubs, etc)
  • Be comfortable hiking for a day with a fully-loaded 30 L daypack weighing approximately 15-20 lbs up terrain that ranges in steepness from 5-35 degrees for the length of the trip with rest breaks every 30-60 minutes
  • Be comfortable and competent survival riding through tight trees in all snow conditions
  • Have or be willing to acquire clothing that is non-cotton (wool, synthetic, etc) 
  • Have your own snowboard boots, or be willing to acquire them from outside sources
  • Be willing to rent a splitboard at $55 for a day (non-refundable) from Excess Backcountry in Whistler.

Trip Information

Who: -Experienced snowboarders comfortable riding advanced terrain (black diamonds) in a ski resort in a variety of conditions, with emphasis on deep powder and icey variable conditions, who wish to learn the skills neccessary to thrive in the backcountry AND have taken AST 1 and wish to practice terrain selection skills.

What: A day-long introduction to backcountry splitboarding skills.

Where: At and around Hanging Lake, Whistler, BC.

When: Sun. April 9th beginning at 8am and finishing around 6pm.

Why: Do I even need to answer this question?!

How: You'll find out on the trip. Get stoked!!

*Note: The trip states that the maximum number of participants is set for 5 participants. This cap is absolutely neccessary for winter backcountry trips that travel in potentially risky avalanche terrain, and I will not exceed this number for this trip. Hence, if you sign up as "Committed," it DOES NOT guarantee a spot on the trip; though if you sign up as "Committed" early and prove to have all the proper pre-reqs, then you'll have a increased likelihood of attending the trip.*

Posted: 2017-03-27 10:51:39
Last modified: 2017-04-06 08:26:46