Note: For all Section trips, be prepared to complete a Release of Liability (Waiver) and follow the Guidelines for Trip Participants.
Wapta Traverse
14 July, 2024 - 20 July, 2024
Come join us for a traverse of the Wapta Ice Fields this summer!
July 14 – 20, 2024
The traverse is primarily a hike, but a hike across some spectacular glaciers taking in some of the most breath taking views in the Canadian Rockies. There will be lots of glacier travel and some technical objectives along the way. This trip will have some long days hiking across glaciers with heavy packs as you will have to carry all of your gear between the huts, participants will need a reasonable level of fitness and be ready to get up and started early each day. Due to the fitness requirements and the potentially long days would make this an intermediate trip.
Space is limited to 18 participants, since most huts hold 18 participants with the exception of the Scott Duncan Hut. Therefore the trip will have to split into two groups near the end of the trip with Group A having 12 participants and Group B having 6 participants and finishing a day later.
The itinerary for the trip is (Sun July 14 to Sat July 20):
Day 0: Meet up with the group at the ACC Clubhouse in Canmore (Sun July 14)
Day 1: Stage vehicle at Sherbrooke Lake and hike into Peyto Hut from Peyto Lake Lookout
Day 2: Hut day at Peyto Lake for rest, training, and/or day objective.
Day 3: Traverse from Peyto to Balfour Huts
Day 4: Traverse from Balfour to Scott Duncan Huts
Day 5: Descent from Scott to Sherbrooke Lake, with optional night at the Clubhouse (Fri July 19)
Day 4*: Hut day at Balfour Hut for rest or day objective.
Day 5*: Traverse from Balfour to Scott Duncan Huts
Day 6*: Descent from Scott to Sherbrooke Lake, with optional night at the Clubhouse (Sat July 20)
*denotes Group B itinerary, which diverges from Group A on Day 4.
Cost for the trip is $275 for Group A and $325 for Group B. Those wanting to stay at the Clubhouse for one night after the traverse will owe an additional $55.
This trip is self-catered and participants will need to carry their own food. The huts have fully equipped kitchens but no refrigeration and water can be sourced throughout the route.
A more detailed gear list will be sent out once the participant list is finalized, but expect to bring hiking clothes to be worn in a range of conditions to sunny and hot to snow storms, reliable boots, food, a pack to carry it all, and technical gear to be on a glacier (e.g. harness, crampons, helmet, mountaineering Axe). The section has a selection of the technical gear that can be borrowed for the trip.
Registration will open on March 1st 2024 and can be completed at www.accsask.ca. Successful registrants will be contacted within a few weeks after registering and will be required to pay for the trip in full to secure their spot.