The Alaska Alpine Club sponsors trips for members only. These are not guided trips. Participants are expected to make most of their own arrangements such as tent/cooking partners, climbing partners, etc. There will be a mandatory organizational meeting the Wednesday before each trip at 7:30 in the Bunnell Auditorium. If you have any question about your ability to safely complete the trip discuss the matter with the trip leader. The trip leader sets the maximum number of participants and minimum skill/experience/equipment requirements for participants in each trip. And all participants are required to have health insurance that covers mountaineering injuries and be qualified to go on a trip of the designated difficulty level (A, B, C, D).

To participate in a club trip people must have comfortably completed a trip at the level lower than the one they are signing up for. In addition the trip leader may apply some of the following rules.

• All participants must have boots compatible with skis and crampons. The campsite will not be at the base of the climb and changing boots in mid-climb is a formula for frozen toes.
• All participants must have completed Introduction to Ski mountaineering and successfully prussiked past an "evil" and done Z – Pulley. This requirement will be used whenever crevassed zones will be encountered.
• All participants must be equipped with metal edged skis and have adequate downhill ski experience.

Feb 28
Sat
&
Possibly
Mar 1 Sun

Ski Mountaineering Course: Weekend Practical Session 1
Leaders: Stan Justice, Ty H, Matt D.
Saturday: Panorama Pk. lower slopes – snow travel and self arrest practice
In the past, people have camped at Riley Creek (Denali Park entrance) and climbed Panorama via the South Gully on Sunday. AAC is looking for someone to organize an ascent on Sunday.

Mar 7-8
Sat - Sun

Ski Mountaineering Course: Weekend Practical Session 2
Contact: Stan Justice, Aaron W, Matt D, Doug Y, Ty H.
Castner Glacier: glacier travel and crevasse rescue training weekend
Camp overnight on the glacier.

March
7-8
Sat - Sun

South Fork Augustana Creek:  The Valleys

Trip level A/B
Leader – TBA

On this overnight trip, we’ll use skis or snowshoes to travel 7 miles from the Richardson Hwy at Michael Creek to a campsite in “The Valleys”, across the Delta River.  A tight creek valley, with alders and sidehills, must be negotiated on the approach, so no sleds are allowed.  The alpine basins and remnant glaciers here are excellent for skiing, provided the snow conditions are decent.  The non-technical peak 6378 offers spectacular views of the high peaks and glaciers east of the highway.  A good trip to get acquainted with the Deltas.

Prerequisites: Participants must have some backcountry skiing experience and have attended lectures on frostbite, clothing, hypothermia, and winter camping. Participants must attend planning meeting.

March
9-13
Mon-Fri

Spring Break Trip Ideas: You’re on your own.
1) Old Snowy and Black Cap, upper Castner Glacier
2) Go stay at one of the AAC’s fine huts and do fun stuff! See AAC website for directions.
3) Castner to Canwell or Canwell to Gakona/Gulkana glacier traverses. Venture into the beyond!
4) Black Rapids Glacier: ski west from the Richardson Hwy climb something big,
or ski traverse all the way to the Yanert Glacier and Parks Hwy
5) Ice climbing in Valdez. Keystone Canyon, etc. Check current conditions.
6) Thompson Pass backcountry skiing and moderate peak ascents. (daytrips)
7) Eklutna Glacier Traverse: Crow Pass to Eklutna Lake (MCA huts)
8) Chugach traverse: Eureka roadhouse to Valdez. Journey through the ice age.
9) Hatcher Pass area Hut Trip: Ski traverse of Mint, Bomber and Snowbird huts (MCA huts)
10) Backcountry skiing at Haines Summit, or Turnagain Pass.
11) Climb peaks in the vicinity of Scandinavian Hut, off the Matanuska Glacier (MCA hut)
12) Ski and climb off the College Glacier, north of Summit Lake.
NOTE: MCA membership required for use of MCA huts mentioned above.

March
14-15
Sat – Sun

McCallum Creek Backcountry skiing Trip Level A/B
Leader – Hank Statscewich
Trip Summary: This trip takes participants in search of powder runs in the Delta Mountains. Participants ski up McCallum Creek 3 or 4 miles and camp. We will skin up into high bowls east of the creek to drop knee bombs in the powder reserve. Our locked-heel brethren are welcome as well, of course.
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Introduction to Ski Mountaineering or an equivalent course. Participants must have some backcountry skiing experience and have attended lectures

March
21-22
Sat - Sun

Triangle Peak  from the Castner Glacier

Trip Level B/C
Leader – TBA

Trip Summary: This trip takes participants on one of the easier peaks in the Delta Mountains.  Participants ski or snowshoe in about 6 miles to the base of the peak and camp. The next morning we scale the peak, a moderate climb.  Adventurous skiers might drop off the summit to the east and return via the M’Ladies Branch of the Castner to base camp. We return to Fairbanks Sunday evening.

Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Introduction to Ski Mountaineering or an equivalent course. Participant must also have gone on the Panorama trip with the ski mountaineering class, or some equivalent trip. Participants must attend the planning meeting.

March
20-22
Fri - Sun

Bivouac via Augustana Creek Trip Level C/D
Leader – TBA
Trip Summary: 3 day trip (south of black rapids and west of the Delta river)
Day 1: Meet at 0700 and drive to Michael Creek parking area. Ski across Delta River and up the west or main fork of Augustana Creek. Camp about 4,800 ft on Augustana Glacier.
Day 2: Climb Bivouac peak ~7,600 ft from the north. I anticipate roped snow climbing with chance of crevasses. Extra time in the afternoon could be spent skiing on the slopes near camp.
Day 3: Most likely we’d ski out the approach route, but we could ascend eastward and cross a saddle north of Peak 6686, descend to the south-branch of Augustana Creek and ski out. No sleds due to alders and creekside skiing.
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Introduction to Ski Mountaineering or an equivalent course. Participants must also have gone on the Item Peak and Triangle Peak trips or some equivalent trips. Participants must have all required equipment and know how to use it. Participants must be able to keep a steady pace on skis for several hours.

March
28-29
Sat – Sun

Silvertip via Michael Creek Trip Level C/D
Leaders – TBA
Trip Summary: 2 day trip
Day 1: Meet at 0700 and drive to Michael Creek parking area. Ski up Michael Creek and camp near the divide.
Day 2: Descend to the Jarvis Glacier, climb Silvertip and return to Fairbanks (a very long day!).
Slower parties may camp another night in Michael Creek and return Monday.
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Introduction to Ski Mountaineering or an equivalent course. Participants must also have gone on the Item Peak and Triangle Peak trips or some equivalent trips. Participants must have all required equipment and know how to use it. Participants must be able to keep a steady pace on skis for a lotta hours.

March
28-30
Sat – Mon

Caribou Creek Ice Climbing weekend Trip Level C/D
Leaders – Jeremy Douse, Max Kaufman
Trip Summary: 3-day trip, long drive, camp in Caribou Creek off the Glenn Hwy, climb 1 to 2 pitch ice routes.
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Technical Ice or have equivalent experience. Participants must have a clue about winter camping. Participants must have all required equipment and know how to use it.
Participants must attend the planning meeting. There is room for 2 more lead climbers, and 4 followers.

April
3-5
Fri-Sun

White Princess via M’Ladies Branch Trip Level D
Leader – TBA
Trip Summary: This trip is another longer approach so it’s much easier with three days. It starts with a 7-mile ski up the Castner Glacier and another 3-4 miles up the M’Ladies Branch. We’ll camp at the base of the peak and climb following the southwest ridge. There are several crevasses near the summit that may be difficult to navigate.
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Introduction to Ski Mountaineering or an equivalent course. Participants must also have gone on the Item Peak and Triangle Peak trips or some equivalent trips. Participants must have all required equipment and know how to use it. Participants must be able to keep a steady pace on skis for several hours.

April
4-5
Sat – Sun

Overnight Hut Trip: MacKeith Hut, Upper Canwell Glacier Trip Level A/B
Leader – TBA Snowmachine supported, so you can ski light & fast!
Trip Summary: This trip takes participants on a long ski up the Canwell Glacier. We’ll ski in about 12 miles to this most modern and refined of the AAC huts and enjoy one of the best views from a hut in Alaska. The next morning we’ll take a few ski runs above the hut, then pack up and ski back to the highway. If the weather is terrible on the way in, we may divert to the lower Canwell Hut instead. This is a great trip for those interested in a nice ski tour on a glacier, without having to bag a peak. Round up some friends and have a hut party!
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Introduction to Ski Mountaineering or have glacier skiing experience. Participants must have some backcountry skiing experience and have attended lectures on frostbite, clothing, hypothermia, and winter camping. Participants must attend planning meeting.

April
11-12
Sat - Sun

Item Peak via Trims Creek Trip Level C+
Leader – TBA
Trip Summary: (2 day trip) We'll drive down Sat morning, ski up Trims Creek, and camp on one of the lower rolls in the glacier at the head of the valley. On Sunday, we'll ascend the glacier, and follow the rolling summit ridge to the east, and top. The opportunity for a ski descent could arise. Be ready for roped travel on moderately crevassed slopes. Park cars at Trims DOT station for security. It’s Arctic Man weekend.
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Introduction to Ski Mountaineering or an equivalent course. Participants must have some backcountry skiing experience and have attended lectures on frostbite, clothing, hypothermia, and winter camping. Participants must attend planning meeting.

April
18-19
Sat-Sun

Overnight Hut (ski) Trip: Thayer Hut, Castner Glacier Trip Level A/B
Leader – TBA
Trip Summary: Ski to the hut, relax, enjoy the view, and return the next day. Gaining the hut might feel like a summit bid in itself, thanks to glacial thinning. Option for nice Sunday morning ski tour.
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Introduction to Ski Mountaineering or an equivalent course. Participants must have all required equipment and know how to use it. Participants must be able to keep a steady pace on skis for several hours.

April
17-19
Fri – Sun

Institute Peak from the Canwell Glacier Trip level D
Leaders – Christie Haupert <c.haupert at uaf.edu>, Laura LeBlanc <Leblanc at gi.alaska.edu>
Trip Summary: This is a long trip that works better with a third day. The ski in is long, some 9 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. After camping overnight we climb up to the saddle between Minya and Institute and cross a broad, easy ridge to the east face of Institute. The climb has some steep slopes where pickets may be placed. There are significant crevasses to cross. With extra time, stand atop Minya too.
Strong downhill skiers can have loads of fun on the descent, if avy saavy.
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Introduction to Ski Mountaineering or an equivalent course. Participant must also have successfully climbed Panorama, Item, or Triangle Peaks or something similar. Participant must have all required equipment and know how to use it. Participants must be able to keep a steady pace on skis for several hours. Snowshoes are not recommended for this trip, as they are much slower on the way back.

Snow White via Fels Glacier Let there be CRUST! Trip Level D
Leader – Max Kaufman <fsamk4 at uaf.edu>
Trip Summary: The Fels (not “Eel”) Glacier is a hidden gem of the Delta Mountains. The upper portion is badly crevassed and there are some steep snow slopes near the summit. This is one rockin’ season ender of a trip. A popular one…not to be missed! Ski in on the crust Sat morning, climb Sunday, and ski out on the crust early Monday morning. Trip might require driving down fri eve (the 1st) or an absurdly early start on Sat from Fairbanks. Clear your head before finals week!!! Monday May 4th is UAF’s last day of instruction.
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed Introduction to Ski Mountaineering or an equivalent course. Participant must also have gone on the Item Peak or Triangle Peak trips or some equivalent trips. Participant must not lose a ski in a crevasse. Participant must have all required equipment and know how to use it. Participants must be able to keep a steady pace on skis for several hours. Snowshoes (or ensolite pads strapped to your boots) are not recommended for this trip, as they are much slower on the way back.