self Guided ski touring

Self Guided Groups: Groups are allowed to book Icefall lodge without a guide. It is recommended that all members of a self guided group be competent in avalanche safety, glacier travel and mountain conditions.  All group members should all be able to assess safety for themselves.  If the group is unsure of their ability or experience, it is recommended that they hire an ACMG Ski Guide or IFMGA Mountain Guide or go on one of the guided weeks. All guests on a self guided week will have to sign a Self Guided Waiver

If you have a partial group and wish to come self guided, there may be some weeks which will be available. Enquire for availability. Partial groups must use the catered option as there is limited space in the kitchen. To book a partial group a deposit of $500/ person is required.

Self guided groups may be catered or self catered. It is recommended that self guided groups have the week catered. The additional cost is only 225/person for food, chef and all the preparation before hand. Also with limited space on the helicopter, the experience of how much to pack is very useful. If the week is self catered, there will be a custodian at the lodge. The group will be responsible for providing meals for the custodian.

Mt Kemmel 3150m, 10,300 feet

This is a classic ski touring objective that be skied in most conditions and offers outstanding views in all directions. The normal line skis up Home Run, traverses the Kemmel Glacier, and then ascends the south east ridge to the summit. Although skis can be worn to the summit, the final traverse of the summit ridge has more of a ski mountaineering feel to it, as you want to stay well back from the cornice on the right hand side. After you have finished taking in the views of the Columbia Icefield to the north, the Selkirk Mountains to the west, and Mt Forbes to the south you are treated to 1200m (4000 feet) of skiing back down to the lodge. Descent options vary from the relatively safe line that you ski toured up, to the more committing couloirs on the East face. Some of these lines are up to 45 degrees and offer over 600m vertical before reaching the Kemmel Glacier.

 

Mt La Clytte 2900m, 9500 feet

The north east facing glacier on La Clytte was made for skiing; long consistent fall line slopes, sheltered snow, and enough room to spend a couple of days. The ski summit offers superb views, while the true summit (50m higher) requires rope and crampons to ascend. The approach from Icefall lodge follows the summer trail for a couple hundred meters through the forest before breaking out into the open. A broad treeline ridge is followed to Keffi Pass at 2350m (7800 feet). From here there is a 200m run down the east slopes, before climbing up to the icefall at the toe of the La Clytte Glacier. The La Clytte Glacier starts flat getting steeper as you approach the summit. Some of the steeper shoulders on La Clytte offer pitches up to 45 degrees. Returning to the lodge is by the same route or several options including a skin up to Espresso Ridge and a steep ski straight down to the lodge. In good stability the Groove Tube, a broad chute up to 45 degrees, offers the most direct decent off the south west side of the summit ridge.

Tempest Glacier

This is a long loop tour that takes you under the dramatic East Face of Rostrum Peak and all the way down to Icefall Brook. From the high point of Porcupine Saddle, it is a 1600m (5,000 ft) ski to the valley bottom. This tour takes you through some of the most impressive glacier landscape that you will see anywhere in the world. The variety is huge with everything from tree skiing, to glaciers and unforgettable rock features. There is almost 2200m of skiing (and skinning) on this day.

Mount Lyell (peak5), Christian Peak, 3390 meters, 11,122 feet

This is the furthest south of the 5 Lyell peaks, all over 11, 000 feet. Although there are several steep sections both on the approach and on the final summit headwall, you can ski tour right from the summit of this peak. From the hut you ski up and over Keffi Pass, as you would to approach La Clytte. From the Toe of La Clytte Glacier you head west onto the Lens Glacier which is ringed by steep red striped rock bands. There is a steep climb of 100m from the glacier to Crampon Col 2800m (9200 feet). From here you get your first view of the vast Lyell Glaciers, which span over 30 square km and join the Alexandria Glacier to the north and the Mons Glacier to the south. Both sides of this Col are steep. The south west side is narrow and normally requires a boot pack to ascend, while the north east side is wider and can normally be skied up and down although there is a Bergschrund on the skiers right (southeast) side that must be avoided. After the initial steep section there is a more gradual descent of the east facing slopes for a 200m run.

After traversing the flat sea of ice for a kilometer the route gets steeper as you approach the flanks of Christian Peak. The broad lower flanks offer a vast amount of skiing with pitches of various steepness. A broad bench and a rare rock outcropping offer a good rest spot before the final 150m (500 foot) summit headwall. This is climbed close to the ridge on the left, while lines further climbers right offer steep options for ski descents. From here it is a long ski, with 2000m (6600 feet) vertical of descent. This is a big day and is more often done in the spring when travel conditions are faster.