Date: Apr 18, 2026 to Apr 21, 2026
Time: All Day
Category: Ski Mountaineering
Trip Leader/ Contact: John McMechan < john..
250-954-7905
Title: The Iconic 9 Peaks April 18 -21
Looking for like minded individuals who are in excellent shape to make an attempt on Nine peaks April 18-21st.
Meet in Campbell River. Carpool to Bedwell Lake trailhead. If some participants are coming from Victoria or Nanaimo a possible carpool from there could be organized.
Present plan is to pick the best 3/4 days for forecast and make a 2 night attempt on 9 peaks. Exact schedule and options discussed with candidates on the trip.
A potential schedule could look like: Hike to Bedwell, skin up once snow is continuous. Make a camp somewhere on this side of big interior on the shoulder. Day 2 will be significant skiing over the summit of big interior twice to and from 9 peaks. Return to camp. Day 3 return home
Difficulty: PD/PD+ with 40-45 degree snow & ice and up to 4th class
VI ACC Difficultly: D 3-4
Approx.: 30km and 3000m vertical over 3 days.
Reference Nine peaks in Phil Stones T&T and alpine select.
Please note to keep the trip manageable only 2-3 participants will be accepted. I apologize in advance if we cant take everyone we want to make sure the team selected has the highest probabilities of a safe trip and ideally of a successful summit attempt. Thank you for your understanding
Required:
AST 1 mandatory, AST 2 preferred
15+ days of back country skiing experience
Comfortably Ski Black gladed runs
Experience with (ski) mountaineering and glacier travel.
Basic Crevasse rescue skills (i.e. can build a 3:1 haul)
Physical fitness to handle the rigours of breaking trail, covering around 30KM and 3000m vertical over 3 days with heavy overnight ski mountaineering bags
Full avalanche kit – Modern digital transceiver, probe, shovel, skis, skins, HELMET
Ski mountaineering kit – Ice Axe, crampons, lightweight harness, Crevasse rescue kit. Exact specs to be discussed with team members
Winter camping kit
A favorable avalanche forecast and good weather. If the weather forecast is not fairly positive and or if avy conditions unsafe we don’t need to go. The mountain will still be there. We can discuss shorter ski-mo alternatives if group is interested pending forecast
Fun attitude. Be Safe. Make Friends. Have Fun.
If you are interested and I haven’t skied with please send me a short introduction to my email at john. including:
– ACC member number (so I can confirm membership – waivers later in the process),
– your relevant experience related to ski mountaineering, mountaineering and backcountry skiing
– your fitness level with detailing recent trips, fitness endeavors
– Any relevant medical conditions
– what set up you use (AT preferred, splitboard, tele)
Risks:
Avalanche
What are the Risks
- Avalanches can occur in the terrain you will be entering and can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (skiing/snowboarding)
- Anyone caught in an avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and/or property damage or loss.
Communication and Rescue
What are the Risks
- Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available
- Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field
- If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow
Terrain
What are the Risks
- Cornices
- Crevasses
- Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps
- Cliffs
- Creeks
- Rocks and Boulders
- Holes and depressions below the snow surface
- Variable and difficult snow conditions
- Snowcat roads and road ranks
- Fences and other man-made structures
- Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects
- Encounters with domestic or wild animals
- Loss of balance or control
- Becoming lost or separated from the group
- Slips, trips, and falls
General Hazards
What are the Risks
- Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor
- Equipment failure.
- Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact.
- Negligence of other persons, including other guests.
- Negligent first aid.
Boots and Binding Systems
What are the Risks
-
Even when set up correctly, a ski binding might not release during every fall or may release unexpectedly. The ski boot/binding system is no guarantee that the skier will not be injured. Non-DIN-certified bindings, such as pin/tech bindings, present a higher risk of pre-release and/or injury as they are not designed to the same safety standards as a DIN-certified alpine binding.
-
Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard and some telemark boot/binding systems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances. Using such a system increases the risk of injury and/or death when caught in an avalanche.