The Wapta Traverse is the ultimate Canadian Rockies hut-to-hut ski traverse! We will cover the appropriately 45km over 4 days and 3 nights. Staying at the Peyto, Balfour, and Scott Duncan Huts. We will try and attempt some of the numerous objectives along the trip based on conditions and group dynamics.
Day 1: Approach to Peyto Hut. After shuttling vehicles, we will begin with a short downhill ski to Peyto Lake, then a steep ascent leads onto a moraine ridge from where a short descent leads us to Peyto Glacier. From there a mellow climb up the glacier gets us to the Peyto Hut. Depending on conditions there may be time and energy left for a summit or a few turns behind the hut on the Peyto Glacier in the afternoon.
Day 2: Traverse to Balfour Hut. Depending on conditions, we may be able to summit a peak along the way (Mt. Rhondda, Mt. Olive, Mt. Gordon, etc). Then, a ski down to the Balfour hut will finish off the day.
Day 3: Traverse to Scott Duncan Hut. The crux of the traverse! The steep ascent on the heavily crevassed Waputik Icefield underneath the north face of Mount Balfour makes this day the most exciting of the whole traverse. From Balfour High Col at 3020m we will have the opportunity to climb Mt. Balfour (3270m), the highest peak on the Wapta Traverse! A long, mellow descent will get us to the Scott Duncan Hut.
Day 4: Ski back to the cars. We will traverse from the hut into the Niles-Daly saddle where a long, descent leads us to Sherbrooke Lake and an easy ski back to the dropped cars. There are also more skiing/summit opportunities should time and energy allow.
Required Items to Bring:
A detailed gear list will be provided prior to the trip. A few weeks prior to the trip, we will organize a google video chat to "meet" the whole team prior to the trip and have a change to discuss gear, address questions etc.
Ski touring and mountaineering gear (including boot and ski crampons), glacier travel gear, base layers, warm layers, hardshell pants/coat, softshell pants/coat, hut booties, sleeping bag, change of clothes, sunglasses, avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel. Also, food for 5 days.
How to Get There:
Event Directions:
If you are interested in this trip place yourself on the wait list and send your ski resume to our co-leaders:
Serena (spolt@protonmail.com) and Annette (youannette@gmail.com).
Acceptance of persons on the trip is NOT first-come, first-served, but will be at the discretion of the coordinators. If you are accepted, you will be required to submit full payment (by Dec 15, 2023) prior to being moved to the registered list.
Carpool Departure Time:
05:00 AM
Carpool Location:
Will coordinate this ahead of time
Payment Options:
Member $210.00 CAD
CANCELLATION: - There are no fees for changes or cancellations made prior to 30 days before travel. - Cancellations made more than 15 days before the date of travel, but less than 30 days before the date of travel are eligible for a 50% refund. - Cancellations made less than 15 days before the date of travel are not eligible for any refund. - Credits and/or deferrals will not be considered for any cancellation for any reason whatsoever. This policy applies to all cancellations including those arising due to weather, wildlife, wildfire, delay, early departure, imposed closures or restrictions, road conditions, road closure, illness, trail closure or for any other reason(s) beyond our control. The ACC recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance. - The ACC reserves the right to cancel any bookings at their discretion. - ACC huts are for accommodation purposes. The Alpine Club of Canada is not responsible for any damages, injuries, or other that may occur as a result of their use.
*Cancellation Policy*: If a participant is unable to attend a paid course or trip, there will be no refund unless the participant finds a suitable replacement that is acceptable to the trip coordinator. Acceptable waiting list candidates will have priority. It will then be the participant's responsibility to recover funds from the replacement. If the coordinator cancels an event, participants get a refund (less any non-recoverable costs). Note that ACC National does not refund hut fees due to weather, delay, closures, or any other reasons. The Rocky Mountain Section of the ACC is a not for profit club and we only charge attendees what it costs us to provide courses or trips.
Cancellation Policy If a participant is unable to attend a paid course or trip, there will be no refund unless the participant finds a suitable replacement that is acceptable to the trip coordinator. Acceptable waiting list candidates will have priority. It will then be the participant's responsibility to recover funds from the replacement. If the coordinator cancels an event, participants get a refund (less any non-recoverable costs). Note that ACC National does not refund hut fees due to weather, delay, closures, or any other reasons. The Rocky Mountain Section of the ACC is a not for profit club and we only charge attendees what it costs us to provide courses or trips.
Registration for this event closed on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 01:00 PM.
