Dolomite Peak Circuit - Sun, Mar 6 2005

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Dolomite Peak Circuit (3/6/2005)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED:Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:

Event Type:

Ski - Backcountry

Event Location:

Banff National Park near Mosquito Creek

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Mar 6 2005 8:45 AM (Carpool Departure: 5:50 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Mar 4 2005 11:59 PM

Event Duration:

6-8 hours (plus vehicle travel time)

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Event Coordinator(s):

Mike W
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members & Guests, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests:

Minimum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests Per Member:

Number Registered So Far:

3 (Log in to see who's signed up.)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

This is a backcountry ski trip through avalanche terrain that requires knowledge of avalanche hazards, how to minimize the risk, and how to perform a rescue. Parks Canada rates this trip as “Challenging Class 2”. COC Policy for this class of trip states “all attendees must have avalanche awareness training”. In addition, as the trip is fairly long and the days are fairly short, all participants must be fit, e.g. Everyone must also be able to confidently ski down through trees in poor snow conditions (suncrust, breakable crust. Trip itinerary is subject to change depending upon avalanche hazard and weather conditions.

Distance: 19 km
Vertical gain: 650m
Time: 6-8 hours (plus travel time)
Sunrise: 07:09 Sunset: 18:26
References: Chic Scott’s Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies “Dolomite Peak Circuit”, and the Hector Lake 82-N/9 topo map.

Description: This is one of the classic Canadian Rockies ski tours with spectacular scenery and a good mix of terrain below and above treeline. The brutally early start is required because the snow will get quite slushy in the afternoon as the day warms up. From the Helen Creek trailhead, the first km is a series of tight steep switchbacks through spruce-fir forest up to and along a ridge above Helen Creek. (This year the trip organizer will try not to fall into a tree well while attempting to check his watch and ski at the same time.) The trail then drops down to the creek and the route ascends beyond treeline by following a series of benches ending with the ascent of a short steep gully to gain the flats S of Katherine Lake. If conditions look suitable, we can ascend a short ridge above the flats and get some turns in on the N face of the ridge (facing Katherine Lake). From Katherine Lake the route heads E to Dolomite Pass and then SE to the col E of Dolomite Peak. Then some fast skiing descending into a basin on the far side of the col until treeline is reached once more. The route now descends to Mosquito Creek along the S-facing treed slope which usually provides challenging skiing on suncrust and breakable crust. For the survivors who have reached Mosquito Creek, it is a few km of relatively flat skiing along the Mosquito Creek trail until you reach the trailhead where hopefully a second vehicle has been spotted and the keys have not been mislaid.

Required Items to Bring:
Avalanche Awareness Training
Avalanche shovel, probe, transceiver
Alpine touring or telemark skis, climbing skins
Personal repair kit and first aid kit
Extra warm clothing in case of emergency
Headlamp

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

The trip starts at the Helen Creek trailhead on the Icefields Parkway / Highway 93. It is 29km N of the Icefields Parkway / Trans Canada junction. The trip ends at the Mosquito Creek trailhead, 24 km N of the Icefields Parkway / Trans Canada junction.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

460Km

Carpool Departure Time:

5:50 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $138.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.30, effective Saturday, April 20, 2024). This is based on $0.16/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Alternately your carpool driver may choose to split the maintenance cost plus the actual gas cost among all in the vehicle. Your carpool driver will confirm exactly how much money they require to cover costs. Please split the actual cost among all people in the vehicle.

Notes:

This trip has an early start since we’ll need all the daylight we can get. So out of respect for those who arrive at the carpool on time, please make sure you are on time as well. If you are delayed for any reason, please call me on my cell phone at 860-3671.
- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
- Notice any errors or problems in the information on this page? Please notify our Content Editor(s), Wendy W and Lynda H., at content@calgaryoutdoorclub.com.

Cost & Payment:

Voluntary Donations:

Although there is no cost for this event, please note that the club survives on voluntary donations. Please consider making a donation based on the value you feel you receive from the club. See our How You Can Help page for more information.

Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
*Note: Please give me as much notice as possible if you decide to cancel. This will allow someone else to sign up and take your place. Your cancellation may also affect the logistics of the trip and, depending on minimum group size, whether the trip can go ahead.