Ski mountaineering in the Waddington Range
Waddington Range
The Waddington Range has some of the most spectacular mountains in Canada, with huge relief, steep faces, and large broken glaciers.
Mt Waddington is the highest peak in the Coast Mountains at 4019m elevation. A ski ascent/descent of the North West Summit (~ 4000m) is achievable for most ski mountaineers in a long day with favourable conditions.
After a spectacular helicopter flight to these remote mountains, we will set up our basecamp on the Dais Glacier. From our camp ~ 2000m elevation, we will have access to countless ski mountaineering objectives including the North West Summit of Mt Waddington.
Prerequisites - Waddington
- 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.
- Good fitness to be able to manage a 2000m climb to the NW Summit of Mt Waddington.
- Able to perform uphill and downhill kick-turns.
Itinerary - Waddington
April 28th to May 9th 2024
Day 1 (April 28th): Meet at the White Saddle Country Inn (Bluff Lake, BC) at 5pm to meet the group and do some final packing.
Day 2: Fly in a helicopter to the Dais Glacier and set up basecamp.
Days 3-10: Ski mountaineering objectives from basecamp including the NW Summit of Mt Waddington.
Day 11: Pack up camp and fly back to Bluff Lake.
Days 12 (May 9th): Extra day for weather delays.
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 a different destination nearby. Excellent weather is required for flying into the Dais Glacier, so a long weather window is required and the possibility of getting stuck at camp is real.
Waddington Basecamp Dates
April 28th to May 9th 2024
3:1 ratio
$5,500 CAD + 5% GST
If we don't fly to the Dais Glacier, we may be able to refund some money as we did for the last trip.
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 Dais Glacier
- 10 days of guiding (extra days for flexibility with weather)
- 12 days of breakfasts and dinners at basecamp
- Dinner the night we meet at Bluff Lake
- Large dining/kitchen tent
- 3:1 guiding ratio
- Group gear including ropes
Excluded
- Travel to and from Bluff Lake
- Travel/medical/rescue insurance
- Accommodation at Bluff Lake
- 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 243km West to the helicopter waiting at Bluff Lake. There is no food, cell reception or gas at Bluff Lake, so please make sure you arrive prepared. We recommend staying at the White Saddle Country Inn the night(s) before we fly into the mountains (they have wi-fi). It is also possible to camp on the beach near the hanger if you don't mind wind and rain.
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
- 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, camp chairs etc.