Participant Guidelines and Trip Matrix (Mountaineering)
The Toronto Section Leadership Committee is developing a set of best practices to ensure that our section trips continue to be an enjoyable and safe, and meet the increasingly diverse needs of our members.
We have followed the example set by other sections, and developed a set of guidelines appropriate to the Toronto Section. Included are degrees of difficulty and trip classifications allowing both participants and coordinators to select and lead trips that suit their abilities and objectives.
Guidelines for Trip Participants
- Ensure that your membership for the Alpine Club of Canada is current.
- Understand and complete the liability waiver form.
- Remember that trips are designed to be experimental, informative and social, but not instructional.
- Sign up for trips that will challenge you, but are not beyond your abilities. If inexperienced, go on easier trips at first. Look at the trip classifications below prior to making your decision.
- Ensure that you have the necessary equipment and that it is in good condition.
- Try to learn about the location and available routes of a climbing area before you attend.
- Ensure that you register with the trip coordinator prior to the event. Do not just "show up" at the cliff.
- Understand that you are responsible for your own safety, and that safety is everyone's responsibility.
Please check classifications before signing up for a trip.
If you have any questions, be sure to contact the trip coordinator.
| Beginner | "A" Trip | Intermediate | "B" Trip | Advanced | "C" Trip | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location: * | Rogers Pass | ? | Rogers Pass | ? | Premier Group | ? |
| Toronto Cabin | ? | Fairy Meadows | ? | Fairy Meadows | ? | |
| E-P (Lake O'Hara) | ? | Yukon * | ? | |||
| * This is a "C+" trip | ||||||
Trip Classifications
| "A" | Trip is suitable for beginner mountaineers/backpackers/hikers. Usually based out of a hut/cabin with an easy access from a public road/highway. Area provides a wide variety of hiking trails, easy to moderate scrambling opportunities. Participants are required to have some basic outdoor/wilderness skills and be in a good physical shape to be able to participate in day hikes/scrambles (potentially without a leader). Equipment requirements include hiking boots, raingear, day pack. |
| "B" | Trip is suited to mountaineers/backpackers/hikers with some previous experience. Usually based out of a hut/cabin/tent with a limited access from a public road/highway. May be a hike/fly in location. Area provides a limited/difficult hiking opportunities as well as easy to moderate alpine climbing. Approaches may include some glacier travel. Participants are required to have some basic mountaineering skills: rope management, glacier travel, some knowledge of the alpine rescue. Equipment requirements include harness, helmet, personal climbing gear, ice axe, mountaineering boots etc. |
| "C" | Trip suitable for experienced mountaineers. These are usually trips to either a very remote areas or to areas with predominantly difficult alpine objectives. Participants should not expect to have any hiking trails or simple scrambles in the area. Participants must have rope management skills, traveling on steep snow/ice, knowledge of anchor systems and route finding abilities. Participants must also have experience in rappelling and confidence with exposure, hanging belays and good knowledge of first aid techniques and rescue systems. |
WARNING: Mountaineering conditions and degrees of difficulty will vary from year to year and even day-to-day depending on weather, temperature, exposure to sun and other factors.
As always, if you have any questions about the details of a particular trip, please contact the trip coordinator in advance of the trip.