Ski mountaineering at our Waddington Basecamp
The Waddington Range
The Waddington Range has some of the most spectacular mountains in Canada, with huge relief, steep faces, and large broken glaciers.
In 2026 we plan to set up our Waddington Basecamp at 2200m elevation on the Malemute Glacier.
This will provide opportunities for some incredible loops over to the Tellot, Cataract, Isolation, Sunrise, Shiverick and Unicorn Glaciers. Some of the peaks we hope to climb and ski include Deception, Schultz, Shiverick, Despair, Hall, Heartstone, The Four Guardsman, Argewicz, Eaglehead and Meridian.
Prerequisites - Waddington Basecamp
- Previous ski mountaineering experience, including the use of ski crampons, boot crampons and an ice axe.
- Ability to safely descend steep and exposed slopes up to 40 degrees in poor condition.
- Fitness to manage 1500-2000m of climbing per day (rest days possible).
- Able to perform uphill and downhill kick-turns to avoid crevasses and other hazards.
Itinerary - Waddington Basecamp
2026 TBC (Late April - Early May)
Day 1: Meet at the Graham Inn (Tatla Lake) at 5pm to prepare for our flight the next morning.
Day 2: Drive to Bluff Lake and fly in a helicopter to the Malemute Glacier to set up basecamp. In the afternoon we'll refresh avalanche and crevasse rescue protocols then go for a quick ski tour if time permits.
Days 3-9: Ski mountaineering objectives from basecamp.
Day 10: Pack up camp, fly back to Bluff Lake and start the journey home.
Please note: If weather and conditions are not suitable for the above itinerary, we may have to wait for several days at Bluff Lake, or choose an alternate destination nearby. Excellent weather is required for landing on the glacier and the possibility of getting stuck at camp is real.
Waddington Basecamp Dates
2026 TBC
3:1 ratio
$TBC CAD + 5% GST
Please make sure you have read through the booking conditions before making a payment. This includes completing the Waiver and Registration Form.
E-Transfer to [email protected] is the preferred method of payment. Please contact us for alternate payment methods.
Included
- Return helicopter flight to the Malemute Glacier
- 7 days of ski mountaineering objectives
- Breakfasts and dinners at basecamp
- One night accommodation at the Graham Inn including dinner and breakfast
- Large dining/kitchen tent
- 3:1 guiding ratio
- Group gear including ropes
Excluded
- Travel to and from Tatla/Bluff Lake
- Travel/medical/rescue insurance
- Extra nights accommodation in case of delays or an early finish
- Lunches/snacks
- Personal equipment and 4-season tent
- Extra expenses incurred due to food allergies/preferences
Getting to the Waddington Range
If you're flying to or within Canada, the closest airport is Williams Lake (500km North of Vancouver). From here you can rent a car (or catch a ride with other participants who are driving) and drive 223km West to our meeting place at Tatla Lake.
From Tatla Lake it is 23km on a dirt road to Bluff Lake where will will catch the helicopter.
There is no food, cell reception or gas at Bluff Lake, so please make sure you arrive prepared.
Equipment List - Waddington
- Shovel
- Probe
- Transceiver (3 antenna) and spare batteries
- Ski touring skis or splitboard (no ski bags)
- Skins
- Personal repair kit specific to your equipment
- Skin wax (or a candle)
- Ski touring boots/plastic snowboarding boots
- Boot crampons (compatible with your boots)
- Ski Crampons
- Ice axe
- Helmet
- Ski poles
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Sunglasses
- Goggles and/or spare sunglasses
- Personal first aid supplies
- Toque
- Sun hat
- Suncream
- Lip balm with UV protection
- 2 x 1L wide mouth water bottles or Thermos (NO bladders due to freezing, leaking and filling issues)
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
- Puffy jacket or two depending on thickness
- Puffy pants (recommended for around camp)
- Warm layers for upper and lower body adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
- Socks x 2-3
- Thick gloves
- Thin gloves
- Spare gloves
- Harness
- 3 locking carabiners
- 4 non-locking carabiners
- 240cm sewn sling or equivalent
- Personal prussik
- Rappel device (ATC style)
- 35-45L backpack
- 4-season tent (rentals available subject to availability)
- Cloth grocery bags (or alternative) to anchor tent in snow
- Guylines for tent
- Sleeping Bag (at least -18 degrees)
- Inflatable sleeping pad (rated for winter)
- Foam pad for sitting on (and inflatable mattress redundancy)
- Down/synthetic booties for wearing around camp
- Pee bottle (recommended)
- Lunch/snacks for 12 days (Breakfast and dinners provided)
- Fork/spoon
- Large bowl
- Drinking mug with lid
- Toiletries
We have limited space in the helicopter, so all of the above trip gear including your tent etc. must fit in your daypack plus a 90L duffle bag. Your lunches/snacks/drinks should fit within a 15L rubbermaid or equivalent. If we have extra room on the last flight, there may be space for extra items such as drinks etc.