Whistler Debates, Backcountry Access

Think the Spearhead Huts are the greatest idea since fat skis?  Does the ongoing rush to the backcountry, risks spoiling the solitude (and fresh pow) that draws us out there in the first place?  How do we best maintain a relationship with wilderness in our increasingly urban, online world?  If you have ever pondered such matters, this night is for you.  Come watch prominent members of the backcountry community debate the merits of improved access to that rugged and remote paradise, the backcountry.

This should be an entertaining night of heated debates and talking about spending time in the mountains just in time to get stoked to the start of the season.  Hope to see you there!

Debaters:  Alex Wigley, Frank Salter, Michel Beaudry, and Wayne Flann
Where:  Millennium Place
When:  Monday, October 29th, 8pm (doors @ 7:30)
Tickets:  $10 advance/$12 day of event, available at Millennium Place and Whistler Museum.
More Info:  http://blog.whistlermuseum.org/upcoming-events/

Canadian Ski Mountaineering Race Calendar

Winter's here, most people have been outside playing in the snow, and training their faces off for some great Ski Mountaineering Racing.  Here's what you've waited for, should be another great season!

Vert 180 - COP, Calgary, AB
Date:  Dec 3rd, 2011
Format:  Maximum Vertical
Website:  http://vert180.blogspot.com/

ISMF North American Championships - Crested Butte, Colorado, USA
Date:  Jan 28th, 2012
Format:  Individual
Website:  http://www.ussma.org/race/cosmic/2012-01-27/2012-north-american-championships

Dogtooth Dash - Kicking Horse Resort, Golden, BC
Date:  Feb 11,12 2012
Format:  Individual and Relay
Website:  http://www.kickinghorseresort.com/resort/events
http://goldenskimo.wordpress.com/dogtooth-dash/

ROAM Randonee Rally - Whitewater, Nelson, BC
Date:  Feb 25th, 2012
Format:  Individual
Website:  www.coldsmokepowderfest.com

Ken Jones Classic - Lake Louise, AB
Date:  March 24th, 2012
Format:  Individual
Website:  www.skilouise.com/things-to-do/events
http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/ccc/ismc/

Photo Above:  Sunshine 5000 Individual Race Start, Date TBA, Photo Lynn Martel

TBA
Red Mountain, Sunshine 5000, & more USSMA schedule.

Note:  Some dates may be added and changed in the near future.  

Canadian Ski Mountaineering Race Schedule

Alright here's the moment you've all been waiting for, the Canadian Ski Mountaineering Race schedule.  Racers should note that the Lake Louise and Sun Peaks races have yet to be fully confirmed, and that the dates may change, so stay tuned.  Races marked * do not count towards the Canadian Rankings and point system, as they are limited to fewer participants due to their remote setting, and heli-access.  (Photo Below:  2010 Canadian Dogtooth Dash Championships, courtesy of goldenskimo)

1.  Vert 180 - November 27, 2010
COP, Calgary, AB

2.  *Selkirk Classic - December 4-5th, 2010
Golden Alpine Holidays, Golden, BC

3.  Tiki Torch Dash - January 15th, 2011
Kicking Horse Resort, Golden, BC

4.  Sunshine 5000 - February 5th, 2011
Sunshine, Banff, AB

5.  World Championships - February 17-25th, 2011
Claut, Italy

6.  ROAM Randonee Rally - February 26th, 2011
Whitewater, Nelson, BC

7.  Canadian National Championships "The Dogtooth Dash" - March 26-27th, 2011
Kicking Horse Resort, Golden, BC

8.  Sun Peaks Race - April 2nd, 2011
Sun Peaks Resort, Kamloops, BC

9.  Lake Louise Race - April 10th, 2011
Lake Louise, Banff, AB

10.  *Esplanade Epic - April 16-17th, 2011
Golden Alpine Holidays, Golden, BC

The American Schedule is looking pretty packed as well and can be viewed here. Expect bigger and more diverse races and course styles, this year is going to be a good one, both here at home, continental, and internationally.  See you on the start line.  Register for the season or any race HERE.

Barry Blanchard Presentation

I always get really pumped in the fall season, not only will I be skiing soon, but the anticipation of going hard in the mountains is only multiplied by the amount of ski movies, climbing movies, training, and slideshows that are constantly happening.  There is the usual meld of unbelievable trips mixed with skiing or climbing, or slideshows which fire up my anticipation of snow even more, but nothing as special as a Barry Blanchard presentation.

Saturday November 13th, 2010, Barry Blanchard will be presenting "My Mountain Life," a slideshow from various climbing trips from the Rockies, to Nuptse, to Everest, and more.  The show is at Millenium Place, Whistler BC, at 7:30pm, but show up early at 6pm to schmooze and check out the silent auction to benefit the Brian Ebert Fund.  Tickets are $15.  So come out and check out a legend, and help support a great fund.

Barry's light and fast climbing style, stories, photo's, and routes have been a fantastic inspiration for not only the climbing community but personally myself as a skier.  Skiers should definitely check out this slideshow, as not only climbers will take something away from this show, but anyone who has dedicated their lives to mountain pursuits.    Skiing is still evolving, and we see a huge amount of ideas and climbing style being used and drawn directly from the alpine climbing community, so anyone looking at pushing their limits will benefit from this show.  Hope to see you all out there!  (Photo Right:  courtesy of www.vimff.org)

2011 Upcoming Racing News

Well it looks like the 2010/2011 Winter Ski Mountaineering season is shaping up to be a really good one.  Here in North America there are an explosion of races being created and organized, and some unique events as well, some beginning to take on more momentum and becoming 'classics'. 

On the Canadian side of racing, expect to see a larger National circuit, but you should also know that Golden Alpine Holidays will be returning to host the Esplanade Epic (featured above).  The Esplanade, was and is an entirely heli in and out, backcountry ski mountaineering race.   Except instead of the mass start, GAH hosts the one and only time trial event, where racers take off alone and against only the clock.  The event will be returning this year on April 9th (weather depending).  But for those who can't wait to race, GAH will be hosting a second event, the Selkirk Classic Season Opener on December 5th.  Both races are $275.00 to enter.  Now there are other events, which will be announced shortly for Canada & the US, but expect a busy winter.

February 11-19th is the ISMF World Championships in Claut Italy.  Team Canada is currently preparing, with upcoming training camps, for another big step forward in the World Cup results.  It will interest people to know that the World Championships have been changed from the 2012 season to the 2011 season to ensure that it does not occur at the same time as the Olympics, gearing up for ski mountaineering to be an Olympic sport in 2018.  The entire World Cup schedule can be found here.    

Blackcomb To Black's Cancelled

Yeah that's right, you read it correctly, the Blackcomb To Black's race will be cancelled for this year.  Currently the weather forecast is looking unbelievably poor for the weekend, and to add to this, the snow conditions and temperatures have been working against us.  So in the name of safety we will be cancelling this race, but will make sure to make it happen next year.  Thanks to all the participants who have signed up, we'll see you out in the mountains in the next few weeks!  (Photo Right:  Matt Francis Skiing Away from the North Face of Mt Fitzsimmons.)

Blackcomb To Black's - The Unsanctioned Spearhead Traverse Race

Every year, a group of skiers get together to go race around the Spearhead Traverse, regardless of the fact that the race has not been sanctioned or sponsored, even really organized by an official body of some sort.  The need and want for a race through this amount of unbelievable terrain is so strong, it exists purely out of the enthusiasm and stoke of all those who come and do it.  This year is no exception.  Saturday, May 22nd, Blackcomb To Black's is back!  B2B's has been happening for a long time, and hasn't ever been missed, more than a decade!  Always underground, unsanctioned, and a classic backcountry ski bums event. Hopefully one day, we'll see this race become realized and be an ISMF ski mountaineering event.

Pre-Race Meeting is at Christines on Blackcomb, from there the race will begin around 11:00 at the Boundary Gates off the Blackcomb Glacier, and ending at Black's Pub.  The race is free, and designed as a fun race, but we do know that records are meant to be broken, and limits are made to be pushed, so its your choice!  Please understand that this is a race through real backcountry glaciated terrain, there are serious hazards such as avalanches, cornice fall, crevasses, and cliffs, come prepared with all the mandatory gear.  You may race solo, or as a Team with friends, and know that everyone can finish this traverse in a day before heading out!

(Photo Above:  The back of the Spearhead Range)

Route and Rule Info
1.  The route will follow the standard Spearhead Traverse route shown on John Baldwin's Backcountry Whistler Map, and racers will abide by this route for safety reasons.  It does not go down Singing Pass but out to Flute and down Whistler mountain to Black's Pub.  Exact route information will be given on race morning
2.  Mandatory equipment is mandatory.
3.  No short cuts on the route.
4.  If a fellow racer/team is in need of help, you must help them.

Mandatory Equipment
Avalanche Gear:  A real shovel (no snow claws), probe (min 240cm), Avalanche Beacon
Harness
Down or Insulated Jacket
Food/Water
Headlamp
Firestarter
*Tarp (bivy sack will suffice) - a space blanket will work, but we do encourage something REAL
*Crevasse Rescue Gear and 30m rope
*First Aid
*Communication:  Either cellphone, radio, or sat phone
*Map and Compass/GPS
Note:  Items with an * can be divided only if racing as a team.  If you are missing an item, please rent or borrow, or join up with a team that does, otherwise you cannot come out!'


Please RSVP at the Escape Route, or email alex@escaperoute.ca for your place.

Chic Scott Slideshow And Fundraiser

Thanks to everyone who came out and checked out the Chic Scott Slideshow tonight!  Chic put on a fantastic show on the life of Hans Gmoser and got everyone stoked on getting into the mountains.  A big thank you for everyone buying beer and donating helping me get to Europe for the World Cup!

Chic Scott Slideshow And Alex Wigley Fundraiser - Update!

Chic Scott is coming to town, and he's doing a slideshow.  On January 22nd, 9:00pm, The Escape Route (Whistler, BC) is hosting it.  There will be beer, appitizers, schwag, and good friends.  It is also doubling as a fundraiser for your faithful Ski Theory host, Alex Wigley, to provide some much needed donations going towards racing in the World Cup and Pierra Menta.  Tickets are $10.00 at the door, and can also be purchased before hand, as space is limited.

If you aren't familiar with Chic Scott, he is one of Canada's mountain grandfathers.  He's written an incredibly detailed book on the history of mountaineering in Canada, a Ski Touring guidebook of the Interior and Rockies, and now also a great book on the life of mountain guide Hans Gmoser to name a few.  He has numerous other publications, ranging from books about the Himalayas, Canadian Alpine Journal trip reports, and great stories of mountain adventures.