Elfin Lakes Intro Hut Touring
Contents
Summary
This trip is an overnight backcountry ski/snowboarding trip held at the Elfin Lakes hut during winter. Participants are expected to have some experience skiing, though are not required to have experience in backcountry travel. Skills that are an asset but not required include: -avalanche companion rescue experience, -overnight camping, -winter camping, -terrain assessment, -first aid skills, etc. Each trip consists of no more than a 6:1 leader:participant ratio, and hence a plethora of guidance and instruction is provided. **Note**: While our leaders will be providing guidance and some instruction, none of our leaders are certified instructors or ski guides. Please follow their guidance under your own discretion.
Itinerary
Saturday
- 6:00am: Depart Vancouver (this means be traveling over the Lion's Gate Bridge no later than 6:00am).
- Approx. 7:00am: Arrive in Squamish/regroup at the first Tim Horton's (the Wendy's/Timmy's combo)
- 7:30am: Arrive at trailhead.
- 8:00am: Depart trailhead via Elfin Lakes trail.
- 11:00am: Arrive at Red Heather Warming Hut. Have lunch/snacks/greet other backcountry adventurers!
- 11:30am: Depart Red Heather Hut.
- 3:00pm: Arrive at Elfin Lakes Hut.
- 3:00pm-6:00pm: Settle in; work through companion rescue exercises, enjoy being at hut, ski, etc.
- 6:00pm: Dinner at hut.
- 7:00pm-onwards: Hut shenanigans/night skiing, etc.
Sunday
- 8:00am: Wake/breakfast.
- 9:00am: Get ready to go skiing!
- 9:00am-2:00pm: Ski around Paul Ridge, Gargoyles, etc based on experience level and snow conditions.
- 2:00pm: Depart hut for parking lot.
- 4:30pm: Arrive at parking lot.
- 5:00pm: Regroup. Debrief/goodbyes/choose a meetup location for dinner.
- 5:30pm: Dinner in Squamish/depart with car group.
Hut/Trail Information
This webpage brought to you by Squamish Hiking has a detailed page on the Elfin Lakes Hut and Trail: http://squamishhiatus.com/squamishhikes/elfin-lakes.html.
Gear
As adopted from 'Gear' Wiki page:
- proper backpack
- long underwear (top and bottom)
- midlayer
- warm jacket (fleece or down)
- waterproof jacket
- waterproof pants
- toque (hat)
- gloves
- head lamp + fresh batteries
- pocket knife
- whistle
- lighter or waterproof matches
- large plastic bag for emergency shelter
- sun glasses or goggles
- 2L (at least) water
- lunch + snacks
- toilet paper
- gas money (bring change)
- digital avalanche transceiver (beacon) + fresh batteries (non-rechargeable)
- shovel
- probe
- ski or hiking poles with large plates
Depending on your preference:
- skis, skins, ski boots
- splitboard, bindings, skins, boots
- snowshoes, hiking boots, gaiters
Make sure you have gear that fits together
- helmet
- sun screen
- map
- compass
- first aid kit
- ski/binding repair kit
- SPOT satellite device (can be rented from the club)
Life is a lot better with
- gaiters
- fleece pants
- ski-helmet
- snow saw
- rutschblock cord
- loupe
- crystal card
- CAC Avaluator card
Personal essentials
ski day trip items plus
- additional warm clothing
- fleece pants
- eating utensils and bowl
- sleeping bag (≈-10°C)
- 4-season sleeping pad
- dinner and breakfast
- toothbrush
ski day trip items plus
- stove with fuel (400ml pp/night)
- pot + matching pot gripper
- winter-tent with poles and pegs
- SPOT satellite device (can be rented from the club)
Life is a lot better with
ski day trip items plus
- hut booties
- water treatment
- ear plugs
- fuel for lantern if hut trip
Driving Details
Vancouver--> Squamish Tim Horton's
Squamish Tim Horton's-->Trailhead
*Note: Once you have reached a yellow gate closing the road, this is the winter trailhead. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE YOUR CAR PAST THE GATE.
Road Conditions
http://www.bchighway.com/report/hwy99.shtml
Weather/Forecast Info
Mountain Weather
http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Whistler-Mountain-BC/forecasts/1500
Avalanche Forecast
http://www.avalanche.ca/ - Sea to Sky Region
