ACC Columbia Mountains

Our Alpine Club section has an agreement to maintain the west side of the Athabasca Pass trail with BC Recreation Sites & Trails from March, 2021 to March, 2026. The east side of the trail is within Jasper National Park, and info on that section can be found on their website including a PDF with info about campsites on the east side. Making a full traverse is difficult because of the Simon Creek crossing on the eastern side. (Photo by Marie Bellefeuille)

Maps and route info:

GPX track

https://arcg.is/1CP0mr0

Basic hiking route is on Gaia GPS app – “Satellite Topo (Meters)” layer. Backroads Mapbooks (available in the paid/Pro layer in the app) has more detailed maps of the forest service roads to access the boat launch and trailhead.

Trail Condition:

The western section of the Athabasca Pass trail was maintained in the fall of 2022 – yellow trail markers and additional footing support and a handrail were added to a log across Jefferey Creek to make a bridge, in addition to clearing the first 12 km or so. That said, the trail receives very little traffic and its ongoing condition is more like a 16km advised bushwack.

Trailhead Access

From Revelstoke, drive north on Route 23 past Mica Dam. Then, the road turns to dirt. Follow logging roads to this point/launch site:

There is a good campsite with a bear hang directly across the lake, with good access to the road. Access to the trailhead is difficult because it requires crossing the Kinbasket Lake (a reservoir of the Columbia River known for changing water levels, cold water temps, and high winds) and travelling an additional 30km of logging roads and/or landing a boat near the Wood River bridge. The shortest crossing is gated and not accessible, as a timber ferry leaves from that point. There is a slightly longer crossing which is indicated on the map above. As of summer 2023, the roads are in great condition and can be ridden on gravel bikes for the most part, with some bushiness for the final 3km or so.

If you are able and willing, it could also be possible to land a boat near the Wood River Bridge (see diagram, courtesy of Trevor Wilson)

Assorted Trail Inspiration:

Article in Revelstoke Review on the maintenance trip in 2022 by Donna Naprstek

Background article by CBC about why Simon Creek Bridge isn’t being replaced (2023)

Instagram recap of out-and-back canoe, bike, and run (2023)

Sprague Bay (BC Rec Sites): http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC6062&type=Site
Boat Encampment National Historic site info https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=110

Athabasca Pass Trail East info from Parks: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/passez-stay/arrierepays-backcountry/sugg-sentiers_trip-ideas#seven
Updated East Trail Conditions: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/activ-experience/sentiers-trails/etat-sentiers-trail-conditions
Athabasca Pass Trail Info:
https://hiiker.app/trails/alberta/alberta/athabasca-pass-trail/map
https://trailpeak.com/trails/athabasca-pass-near-jasper-ab-1833

Activities

Alpine Start Winter Mentorship

September 25, 2023September 25, 2023 ACC Columbia Mountains Section

We’re starting a new mentorship program this year to help people who are new to splitboarding or ski touring in Revelstoke get a lay of the land and not violate the winter permit system. This program is aimed towards people over the age 19 who are competent (blue/black at Revelstoke Mountain Resort) skiers and riders in bounds, and who have their own equipment, and preferably have taken an AST 1 course before the start date. Our program allows mentors to choose mentees based on answers to the application, so if you’re a mentee, provide detailed answers.

2023/24 Dates:

September 24: Applications for mentors & mentees open
October 15th: Applications close
October 16-23: Mentor choosing period
October 31: Mentees contacted
November 9th: Meet & Greet & Potluck at the Annual Meeting
Outings happen from November – March 2023 based on individual schedules
Possibility of spring wrap-up event (Date TBD, please get in touch if you are interested in helping to plan)

Cost

$50 for mentees

Mentee Requirements

AST 1 course (the section will plan on hosting one in early November)
1-2 days ski touring/splitboarding, or enough to have OK working knowledge of your gear
A valid membership in the Alpine Club of Canada – Columbia Mountains Section with a signed digital waiver
Over the age of 19
A clear understanding that mentors are volunteers, are NOT guides, and will not take full responsibility for your well-being and safety while in the backcountry above what could be expected from any reasonably qualified touring partner.

Mentee Application

Mentor Requirements

Minimum of 30 days ski touring/splitboarding experience
Minimum of 10 days ski touring/splitboarding in the Revelstoke area
AST 2 course or higher
Member of the Alpine Club of Canada – Columbia Mountains Section
Willingness to stay out of terrain and conditions that are out of your depth and accept your mentees veto and input.
Wilderness first aid training is an asset, but not required

mentor Application

Trip Reports

Canmore Ice, March 2023

March 21, 2023 ACC Columbia Mountains Section

Ben and I (Martin) lead a group of 4 participants in the first ACC CMS Introduction to Ice on March 10-11, 2023. Bags packed and loaded, we left Revelstoke at 0600 and made one stop in Golden before arriving at our first destination, Cedar Creek Steeps.

After a nice hike, we arrived at the large steep ice flow, towering over 30m. The group discussed the hazards and risks upon arrival to an ice climbing area and positioning ourselves to mitigate the hazards.

Participants were eager to learn, donning crampons and ice tools, we went through the basic movements of ice from swinging and positioning tools, kicking with crampons, and using the A-frame. At the end of the day everyone had some exposure to what ice climbing is, setting themselves up for another day of ice climbing. We departed the climbing area and set our compass to the Canmore Hostel that evening.

As Chef Ben was preparing our dinner, we were busy organizing ourselves for the next day. A tasty dinner was consumed and a reflection of the day was shared among the group.

On our second day, we went to Johnston Canyon. With overnight lows of -21, everyone was eager to get out and play. We arrived early in the parking lot and started the hike in. As we approached the climbing area, we crossed a creek (on an icy snow bridge) past some ice steps. On this day however, the area quickly got busy. Luckily we were able to set up lines on a steeper section and members were able to experience the joys of hooking on picked-out ice climbs.

At the end of the day, we arrived at the parking lot in good time, and before heading home we had a small debrief about how the day went, what participants learned that day, and what we can improve.

Overall, it was a very successful trip, and ice conditions were better than I imagined given that we are in March already. Much thanks to Ben, Katee, and Sara for helping in organizing this trip.

Resources

Basic Winter Hut Packing List

March 2, 2023August 7, 2024 ACC Columbia Mountains Section

This is our generic hut packing list for Alpine Club of Canada – Columbia Mountains hut trips. Likely, your coordinator and leader will have modifications so it’s important to take a second look at any communication you receive from them.

Ski Touring/Splitboarding Gear

Winter permit if needed
Transceiver and harness (plus extra batteries)
Shovel (metal)
Probe (at least 300cm)
skis mounted with touring bindings or splitboard
skins
poles
boots
helmet
goggles (plus spare lens)
sunglasses
Toque
Buff
Base layer
Insulation layer (fleece, synthetic, thin down)
Waterproof shell pants and jacket
emergency insulations later (puffy)
Mittens: light mitts or gloves for skinning, warm mitts or gloves for riding or standing around,
Emergency heat packs
socks
water in bottle (hydro packs often freeze)
lunch and snacks
headlamp with batteries
chapstick/sunscreen
personal first aid kit
personal repair kit (ski straps, extra screws, screwdriver or multi tool, wire)
map of the area, paper or on phone
Matches/lighter

Optional:

back up socks
warm drink in thermos
back up mitts or gloves
Brimmed Hat (for sun)

Hut Gear

sleeping bag or liner
pillow
ear plugs
hut booties/slippers/slides
battery pack for phone
hut/sleeping clothing
toilet paper
toiletries
food

Club & Group Gear

Waivers
National Park Pass
Overnight parking passes for all cars
inReach
Group FirstAid kit
Radios
Emergency Shelter
Compass
Garbage Bags
Paper Towel
Disposable gloves
Matches/Lighter
2 AA Batteries for fire and carbon monoxide alarm
Cards or Small Games
Map
Door code to hut (on invoice, but good to let others in group know)
Invoice

Resources

Checklist for Planning Section Trips

March 2, 2023August 7, 2024 ACC Columbia Mountains Section

Plan trip: who, what, where, when, how, backups, and emergency contacts and resources.
Confirm availability of trip resources: leaders, ACC gear, campsite reservations, guides, etc.
Determine cost of trip using formulas provided by Activities Committee
Make application: Google Forms is a great way to do this. Will likely require the following info, but make sure to get as much info as you need at this step so you’re not chasing participants later: email address, relevant experience level, if they need to borrow gear, ACC membership number
Submit form to activity committee ideally at least 4 weeks before trip begins. Wait for approval and/or feedback from Activity committee, and re-submit with edits if needed
Choose participants randomly from qualified applicants after 1-2 week enrollment period (listed on published event)
Setup participant payments by entering participant’s info on the Treasurer’s sheet and emailing the Treasurer the etransfer password (will be made available to trip coordinators by the Activities Committes.
Email participants with the following info: How to pay trip fee (etransfer treasurer@acccolumbiamountains.com with trip name and date in comment field), Participant booking policies, reminder of required equipment, details for transportation, pre-trip meeting time and date if necessary
Confirm attendance two weeks ahead (if guided)
Print paper waivers and prepare your own gear (and/or deliver them to the trip leader)
Get waivers signed at the start of trip and have everyone sign them on the day of. Then enjoy the trip!
Send an event recap and/or photos that can be shared with photographer and subject permission to the info@acccolumbiamountains.com email within a week of returning.