Mountain Film Festival - January 16, 2012

Some, but definitely not all, of the films set for the two and a half-hour show coming to Saskatoon on January 16th, 2012 , are described below. As always, there is the possibility that the lineup can change based on recommendations from the Banff Centre. We usually also include some shorter clips in the lineup as time permits. Keep in mind that our contract with the Banff Centre imposes strict limits on how many minutes of video we are allowed to show, otherwise we would probably just keep the entertainment going on all night :-)

• On The Trail of Genghis Khan (Adventure, exploration, culture)
  • People’s Choice Award
  • Australia, 2011, 46 minutes
  • Classification: General
  • On an epic journey of truly historic proportions, Australian Tim Cope, his band of horses, and his dog Tigon travel overland 10,000 km from Mongolia to Hungary, following the footsteps of legendary warrior and nomad Genghis Khan. Cope visits distant parts of the world rarely seen, places on the cusp of modernity yet proud of nomadic traditions. The Last Frontier captures the culmination of his stunning three-year journey, the crossing of the Carpathian Mountains.

• Seasons: Fall (Kayaking)
  • USA, 2010, 4 minutes each
  • Classification: General
  • Fall: Deep canyons with steep, spring-fed creeks provide Kate Wagner with a soul-session in this paddling paradise.

• Towers of Ennedi (Rock Climbing)
  • USA, 2011, 14 minutes
  • Classification: General – coarse language
  • The Ennedi Desert of Chad is a hot, sand-scoured and unfriendly place. But from its vast belly rise clusters of breathtakingly lovely spires, towers, and rock formations. Veteran climber Mark Synnott – known more for his far-flung adventures than his technical accomplishments – brings young climbing stars Alex Honnold and James Pearson to the Ennedi to explore its untouched landscapes.

Cold (Mountaineering)

• Grand Prize
• Best Film
• USA, 2011, 19 minutes
• Classification: Parental guidance – coarse language
• Experience Gasherbrum II in the middle of a deep, dark winter as seen from the raw, honest perspective of alpinist Cory Richard’s camera. This film deftly captures the interwoven roles of pain, fear, and doubt – and reveals a harrowing descent that amplifies their isolation and exposure.

Tickets should be available by mid-December. Information about prices and where to buy your tickets is available on our website.

People attending the Film Festival should be aware that some videos may be rated Parental Guidance and/or may contain Coarse Language.

Avalanche Transceivers - Recommendations from the Safety Committee

The Safety Committee of the Alpine Club of Canada recommends to the Board of Directors the adaptation of the following policy:

• Participants on all mountaineering, skiing and ice climbing trips, camps and courses of the Alpine Club of Canada in avalanche terrain are required to use a modern avalanche transceiver, as recommended by the Canadian Avalanche Centre. Recommended avalanche transceivers are digital, multi-antenna transceivers; analog and single-antenna transceivers are no longer acceptable. This policy becomes effective with the winter avalanche season 2011/2012, as of November 1, 2011.
• ACC members are advised to take note of the manufacturer’s recommendations for the expected useful service life of avalanche transceivers.
• ACC members are encouraged to upgrade avalanche transceivers to digital, three antenna models such as the Tracker 2, Ortovox 3+, Barryvox/ Mammut Pulse, Pieps DSP…;digital, two-antenna beacons (Tracker DTS, Ortovox X1…) are still acceptable.
• ACC members are also advised that the usefulness of any transceiver depends on the familiarity of the user with the transceiver. Regular practice throughout the season is strongly recommended.

Backpacking around Skoki

Skoki Mountain, carrying a 42lb backpack, scrambling, blisters and taking in the raw beauty of the mountains…this was my first backcountry adventure!

A few things I learned along the way:

 Ensure the new hiking boots are well worked in! Hikes around the Meawasin Trail in Saskatoon will not do the job…as Alicia, one of our leaders said “the words City and Hike don’t really go together!”

 Bring lots of blister bandages and tape to keep the feet in good shape! Luckily our group was well prepared and willing to share with me.

 Two hiking poles are better than one! I didn’t realize the importance of the poles and thought I’d just bring one in case I needed it…I know better for next time!

 Preparing dehydrated ‘gourmet’ meals is the way to go…it’s one thing I did right! No need to settle for processed packaged noodles!

 Scrambling means climbing to the PEAK of the mountain….I’m not sure what exactly I thought it meant, but was excited and leery to realize (while climbing) that I really was going to the top of a mountain! It was very cool! We enjoyed a break for lunch and took in the incredible sights from the top of Skoki Mountain!

 Scree….is fun! Coming down the mountain on the back of my heels, flying through the scree definitely made the climb worth it!

 A 2-person tent can actually fit 7 people in it for a game of cards!!

 You can’t bring enough bug spray! The bear spray on the other hand didn’t get used, even though we did see a cub, luckily from a distance. He looked friendly to me?!

 It’s important to have good leaders who are knowledgeable and patient and are happy to share all that they have learned from their own experiences….I was happy to have Alicia and Eric lead the way!

All in all, it was a great experience - challenging, inspiring, peaceful and breathtaking too! I am happy I found this group through the ACC and was able to take part in the adventure! Hopefully I can take away what I learned and encourage my friends to join me next time!

Lana Stark

Annual Mountaineering Camp

by Dave McCormick

From July 21 to 26, the Section held its Summer Mountaineering Camp, this year at the Peyto Hut on the Wapta Icefield.

Every imaginable weather accompanied us during the week, from rain to snow to solar furnace.

A total of 18 participants, some new to any kind of mountaineering, spent the week learning and practicing knots, rope techniques, safe glacier travel practices and putting it all to use by leading rope teams and climbing many of the peaks in the vicinity of the Hut.

We expect more stories to be posted here in the coming days and more pictures posted to the Camp's photo album, located here.

A good time was had by all.

Thrashers 2011

by Don Chodzicki

The annual Thrashers Rock Climbing trip took place during the May long weekend. Roughly 30 section members gathered in the Wasootch Creek area of Kananaskis to test their climbing skills on rock slab.

Morning of Day 1 participants started with a refresher of proper belay technique followed by warm-up climbs on "D" slab. This was one of larger groups in recent years and with an abundance of trip leaders and 10 ropes on the go plenty of climbing challenges were offered. As particular routes lost interest our leaders did a great job of setting up new routes. Throughout Day 1 other leaders shared their knowledge of setting and cleaning anchors and teaching rappel technique. Luckily the worrisome rain that had been forecast in the days leading up to the trip never materialized and the energy levels of participants was high until 5 or 5:30.

Day 2 our leaders once again headed out early to set ropes before the rest of the group arrived (thanks guys!). Wasootch was extra busy due to a climbing course being taught there that day, but luckily both groups were able to achieve what we wanted. The forecasted rain finally appeared a strong possibility around 2pm and a decision was made to start taking ropes down. As the group drove back to Canmore in the rain I think we all agreed the right decision was made to head back.

Overall the trip was a big success with 3 or 4 new ACC members and everyone looking forward to their next climb.