VROC Coordinator Manual

Effective: December 4, 2007
Last Revision Date: January 10, 2008

This policy is subject to change at the discretion of the VP Safety and Safety Committee.

Scope

This policy applies to all participants on Vancouver Regional Outdoor Club events in avalanche terrain any time of year there in snow above tree line.
The policy does not apply to member calendar postings.

Background

The VROC Avalanche Safety Policy is based on:

• the Avalanche Terrain Ratings provided by Parks Canada;


• the Avalanche Terrain Ratings provided by Kananaskis Country; and
• the Avalanche Hazard Bulletins provided by the Canadian Avalanche Centre.

Definitions

Avalanche Terrain Ratings & Descriptions:

Class	Terrain
1 - Simple	Exposure to low angle or primarily forested terrain. Some forest openings may involve the run out zones of infrequent avalanches. Many options to reduce or eliminate exposure. No glacier travel.
2 - Challenging	Exposure to well defined avalanche paths, starting zones or terrain traps; options exist to reduce or eliminate exposure with careful route finding. Glacier travel is straightforward but crevasse hazard may exist.
3 - Complex (Out of Scope)	Exposure to multiple overlapping avalanche paths or large expanses of steep, open terrain; multiple avalanche starting zones or terrain traps below; minimal options to reduce exposure. Complicated glacier travel with extensive crevasse bands or icefalls.

Source:  Canadian Avalanche Centre (www.avalanche.ca)

Source:  Canadian Avalanche Centre (www.avalanche.ca)

 

Policy The event description must state in bold, red font if the event route passes through avalanche terrain or it is possible that the route will pass through avalanche terrain (when taking unofficial routes, bushwhacking or route-finding).   ALL participants must check the weather and Public Avalanche Bulletin the day of the event.   NO EVENTS ALLOWED IN COMPLEX (CLASS 3) TERRAIN regardless of the conditions.   NO EVENTS ALLOWED IN UNRATED TERRAIN (i.e. routes not listed in the Parks Canada or Kananaskis Avalanche Terrain Ratings) unless the route is listed below or approval given by the Executive or Safety Committee. Requests to run events in unrated terrain will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Some exceptions exist for trails that are not official winter trails (i.e. approval not required for these events): Barrier Lookout, including Prairie View Trail, Stoney Trail and Jewel Pass Benchlands Trail at Canmore Grotto Canyon Heart Creek Heart Mountain Johnston Canyon Lake Agnes (not beyond) Prairie Mountain Rawson Lake (be careful to avoid the other end of Upper K-Lake, which has known avalanche areas, and the far end of Rawson Lake - ie. the ridge) Silverton Falls Tunnel Mountain Vista Lake GUIDELINES FOR EVENTS IN SIMPLE (CLASS 1) TERRAIN:   Minimum group size: 4, Maximum group size: 15 This type of event includes official X-C ski and snowshoe trails, backcountry trips rated as Simple (Class 1) on the Avalanche Terrain Ratings Scale and the trails listed in Item 4 of this policy. Class 1 Trips in National Parks available at http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/inc/PM-MP/visit/visit7a1_e.pdf. NOTE: The terrain past the end of the track set on Moraine Lake Road is avalanche terrain and is strictly forbidden for VROC events posted as a cross-country ski event in Simple Terrain. Class 1 Trips in Kananaskis available at http://tprc.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/pdfs/ATES/ATR_ATES.pdf NOTE: Winter trips are not permitted to Galatea Creek because the trail is closed in the winter and has high risk of avalanches off the side of Mount Kidd. More Class 1 trips: events in Item 4's exception list. If the avalanche risk is “High” or “Extreme” at any elevation (below treeline, treeline, or alpine) the day(s) of the event, the event must be cancelled or moved to a lower-risk location. The coordinator should always have a back up location in the event that conditions are no longer safe. EXCEPTIONS: Events on machine-groomed trails or backcountry trails with no avalanche exposure as listed below may go ahead in any conditions: Chester Lake trail to Chester Lake and Elephant Rocks, but not beyond; Elk Lakes cabin via Elk Pass and Hydroline; and Taylor Lake, but not beyond the end of the trail at the east end of the lake Watridge Lake.   GUIDELINES FOR EVENTS IN CHALLENGING (Class 2) TERRAIN: Minimum group size: 4 (at least 2 participants must have completed 2 events in Challenging terrain), Maximum group size: 12 NO MINORS NO NON-MEMBERS (we need to track completion of training and past events including transceiver search practice) If the avalanche risk is "High" or "Extreme" the day(s) of the event, the event must be cancelled or moved to a lower-risk location. The coordinator should always have a back up location in the event that conditions are no longer safe.   Equipment: ALL participants are required to bring a fully-functional avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe.   Training: ALL participants must have completed AST1 (previously IRAC) avalanche awareness training or equivalent* in the last five years. ALL participants must participate in one Vancouver Regional Outdoor Club Transceiver Search Practice event per year, before participating in an event in Class 2 – Challenging Terrain.   ALL participants must sign an Avalanche Terrain Event Waiver indicating that: They acknowledge the coordinator is not a guide They are aware of the risks associated with events in Challenging terrain They do not hold the Vancouver Regional Outdoor Club nor anyone affiliated with it responsible for their safety as per the annual member waiver They checked the weather and Public Avalanche Bulletin the day of the event and understand the risks associated with the terrain and current conditions They know how to perform avalanche self rescue and basic first aid They have participated in a Vancouver Regional Outdoor Club Transceiver Search Practice event this season They have taken avalanche awareness training AST1 (previously IRAC) or equivalent* in the last 5 years and They have tested their avalanche safety gear** * Training equivalency will be determined by the Safety Committee. ** Coordinator must do a transceiver check at the start of the event to ensure all transceivers are functioning. COORDINATING EVENTS IN CHALLENGING (CLASS 2) TERRAIN: You must obtain approval from the Safety Committee before posting your event. Your request will be reviewed by the Safety Committee.