Mount Revelstoke National Park of Canada
CUSTODIAL GROUPS
PUBLIC INFORMATION PACKAGE FOR CUSTODIAL GROUPS PLANNING WINTER
BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL
Canada is one of the world's great alpine nations. Renown for its steep
mountains, vast forests, extensive glaciers and churning rivers - it is here
that many of life's most important lessons can be learned; a place where
countless individuals have become inspired to appreciate life to its fullest.
As a society, Canadians are inherently connected to the wilderness.
The importance of passing this message along to our youth of today should not
be underestimated. Providing a group of children with an opportunity to experience
the wilderness of their own country is a gift they are likely to recall for
the rest of their life; indeed, it may shape how they choose to live their life.
But leading a group of children into the wilderness comes with tremendous responsibilities
– there are risks to be managed and many decisions to be made. The onus
is on everyone who encourages children to explore the mountains, to understand
and accept the personal responsibilities associated with this. This includes
parents, group organizers, group leaders, guides and land managers.
The following information is in regards to taking a custodial group into the
backcountry of the Mountain National Parks. The following points are intended
to clarify Parks Canada's policies and regulations for this activity,
and to offer some assistance and resources for planning a safe and rewarding
mountain experience.
What is a custodial group?
Officially: A "custodial group" means a group affiliated with an institution, where at least one person is below the age of majority and that minor is not in the company of his/her parent or legal guardian . Institutional groups include but
are not limited to school groups, Scout/Guide groups, church groups, cadet groups
and community youth groups.
In other words: if an institution of some form has organized the group, and
there are minors participating whose parents aren't present – then
it's a custodial group. Custodial refers to custody, and the fact that
when leading minors in the absence of their parent or legal guardian, the group leader is in loco
parentis (in the place of the parent).
This doesn't include groups of friends or families - this is about institutions,
and their responsibility to the children they lead and the parents they replace.
The age of majority is 18 in Alberta and 19 in British Columbia.
Pre-trip planning and risk disclosure
Planning ahead for backcountry travel is an absolutely essential part of the
experience – a well prepared group with well researched options has the
best chance for success. Of primary importance when planning a trip with custodial
groups, is involving more than just the participants themselves. Parents and
institutions also need reliable information if they are to make decisions on
behalf of their children or students.
This requires extra effort on the part of everyone involved to explain the
trip details, options, and risks in a clear and concise format that an untrained
parent, group leader, or teacher will understand. These same people bear an
equal or greater responsibility to listen to the information, and to ask questions
which will ensure they understand the risks the group may face.
All parents want to make the right decisions on behalf of their children and
their own family's tolerance for risk. It is a major responsibility of
the institutions organizing these trips, to assist those parents in making informed
decisions.
The following links lead to important information that must be considered when
planning any winter backcountry trip. Resources such as guidebooks, maps and
ATES ratings should be considered long before the trip. Weather and avalanche
bulletin information must be tracked regularly in the weeks leading up to the
trip - and checked once more just prior to departure. Whether you follow the
links from here, or use your own resources – do not leave out researching
any of the following information.
Parks Canada policies and regulations for custodial groups
The following policies and regulations apply to custodial groups only, and
are in effect from Nov 15 – Apr 30 annually. The goal of these policies
is to ensure that custodial groups receive the right leadership, in the appropriate
terrain, during good avalanche conditions.
Custodial group policies are based upon Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES)
ratings. Details of this system, along with a list of over 250 rated trips in
the mountain National Parks can be obtained from any Parks Canada Information
Centre, or at:
|
Parks Canada Custodial Policies |
|
Custodial groups may travel with no specific leadership or custodial permitting
requirements in Class 1 (Simple) terrain only. Parks Canada recommends
that custodial groups avoid backcountry travel entirely during Backcountry
Avalanche Advisories of POOR. |
|
An ACMG or IFMGA mountain or ski guide with a valid permit must lead all
custodial groups. Group size must not exceed a total of 10. Travel on avalanche
terrain only when the guide rates the slope specific Snow Stability as Good
or Very Good. |
|
Custodial Groups will not be permitted into this terrain under any conditions. |
Traveling in Class 1 (Simple) Terrain
Although there are no specific custodial permits required for leading a custodial
group into Class 1 (Simple) terrain, this does not mean that anyone is capable
of doing this. Leading any group into the mountains is a big responsibility,
made only more obvious when leading children. Anyone who proposes to lead a
group into the backcountry must have significant personal experience in the
mountains, first aid training, and strong leadership skills.
Backcountry communications
Planning for emergency communications in the backcountry is important. Unlike
urban regions, cellular coverage in the mountains is intermittent – at
best. Most backcountry locations do not have any cell phone coverage. This means
that emergency communications requires some planning.
1. Figure out if the area you are heading to has cell phone coverage. Expect
this only near the highway corridors between Banff and Lake Louise, and near
the Jasper townsite.
2. Consider renting a satellite phone. Although not 100% reliable, sat phones
will usually work from most locations in the mountain parks, but 911 operators
may be confused when you call from a sat phone – hence the backcountry
numbers listed below.
Make sure the batteries are fully charged before departure, and carry a spare.
Also make sure you have written down the emergency numbers and keep them with
the phone.
| Banff |
911 |
403 762 4506 |
| Yoho |
911 |
403 762 4506 |
| Kootenay |
911 |
403 762 4506 |
| Jasper |
911 |
1 877 852 3100 |
| Glacier |
1 877 852 3100 |
1 877 852 3100 |
| Mt. Revelstoke |
1 877 852 3100 |
1 877 852 3100 |
| Waterton Lakes |
403 859 2636 |
403 859 2636 |
When you call a 911 operator, you should state that you are in the backcountry
of - - - - - - - National Park, have an emergency and require the Warden Service.
They will connect you.
Equipment list
Being well prepared and properly equipped for backcountry travel is essential.
The equipment and clothing that you bring with you on your mountain trip has
a direct effect on your safety and comfort. Click here
for a list of clothing and equipment considerations.
Certified guides
Canada has a long tradition of professional mountain guiding, beginning in
the late 1800's when the Canadian Pacific Railway began importing Swiss
mountain guides to lead their guests into the mountains. This tradition continues
today – Canada's mountain guides are certified to meet rigid international
standards, and many professional mountain guides operate businesses in the National
Parks. If you are a novice to the backcountry, or simply looking to learn more
– consider hiring a certified, professional mountain guide.
Make sure the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) certifies your
guide, and they are licensed to operate in the National Parks. Click
here for a link to a list of ACMG guiding businesses licensed in the mountain
National Parks.
Weather forecast
Checking the weather forecast is another essential part of being prepared for
travel in the backcountry – do this the day you are leaving. The following
links will take you to weather information for each national park.
Daily avalanche hazard information
Tracking and understanding the daily avalanche conditions is important, but
also can be complex. Avalanche warnings are available for two levels of comprehension,
depending on your skill level.
1. The Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is basic information, which gives a very
general overview of the conditions in a particular region. This information
is broadcast in the news media and is accompanied by directions on where to
obtain more detailed information.
2. Public Avalanche Bulletins are what you should be reading prior to embarking
on any backcountry travel. This information contains a summary of the weather
and snowpack conditions, a daily rating, as well as an outlook for how things
will evolve in the future. These can also be obtained at www.avalanche.ca.
Terrain ratings
Parks Canada has developed a rating system called the Avalanche Terrain Exposure
Scale (ATES), and has applied these ratings to over 250 trips in the mountain
National Parks. These ratings describe the level of commitment, and exposure
to avalanches that each different trip offers.
Click here for a detailed description of the ATES,
and the list of rated trips.
Guidebooks and maps
Several excellent guidebooks exist which describe in detail, the many backcountry
trips which are found in the mountain National Parks. These books should be
consulted, along with topographic maps of any region you are planning visit.
We recommend the following guidebooks.
1. Summits & Icefields, Columbia Mountains – by Chic Scott
2. Summits & Icefields, Canadian Rockies – by Chic Scott
3. Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies – by Chic Scott
4. Ski Touring in Rogers Pass – by J.P. Kors and John Kelly
These publications and relevant topographic maps are available at local mountain
specialty stores, or via the
Permits
Certified guides leading custodial groups in Class 2 (Challenging) terrain are required to have a valid custodial permit. Many guiding companies who run businesses in the National Parks already possess these permits, which are valid for the duration of the winter season – custodial groups simply need to hire a certified guide who holds this permit.
It is also possible for certified guides to obtain a custodial permit for a specific trip or date. Guides not operating businesses in the National Park will be granted short-term custodial permits provided they are not operating for profit. These permits are available from any National Park Information Centre.
Custodial groups themselves do not require the permit, and there is no paperwork required of them – these groups simply need to ensure they are led by a certified guide who is permitted. There are no fees for these permits.
A list of guides licensed to operate in the National Parks.
Backcountry Avalanche Information
Learn More
For other general Parks Canada public safety links, visit the following:
Remember, you are responsible for your own SAFETY!