ACC BIWOC Intro to Mountaineering Camp 2021: Bow Hut
by Gwen Nguyen
Gwen was one of six women to attend our BIWOC Intro to Mountaineering camp in the summer of 2021 at Bow Hut. Read on for her impressions of the camp and exploration on the Wapta Glacier.
I wish to acknowledge that the land our camp took place on is within Treaty 7 Territory, the traditional home of the Stoney Nakoda Nations of Wesley, Chiniki and Bearspaw; three Nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy: the Piikani, Kainai and Siksika, and the Tsuu T’ina of the Dene people.
Silhouettes of most o the group after a successful day out. Photo Sylvia Forest.
Day 1 - Meet and Greet, Hike to the Bow Hut
As I pulled into the parking lot at Bow Lake, I felt a nervous jitter: I was finally participating in an intro to mountaineering course — almost exclusively with women of colour and guided by a female ACMG guide! Plus, we’ll have the entire Bow Hut to ourselves. I felt like I had won the lottery.
Rebeccah, Emma, Hanan, and Gwen on the shoulder of Mt. Rhonda. Photo Sylvia Forest.
Including myself, our group of six consisted of Emma, the ACC program coordinator; Rebeccah, the founder of Darken the Mountains; Hanan, an engineering student; Renee, a communications professional; Rochelle, a diversity consultant. While everyone was busy double-checking their gear, our guide, Sylvia “Syl” Forest sauntered over and introduced herself.
After waivers were signed, everyone shared their goal for the camp. The overwhelming theme was to have the chance to try something new. A few of the girls had never stayed in an ACC hut or been on a glacier. Excitement was high as we started on the trail towards the historical Bow Hut.
The smoke was thick as we ambled our way around the lake towards the first challenge on the trail, something Syl diplomatically mentioned would be an “interesting move.” It turns out “the move” was a short scramble up and over a chock stone that was lodged within a canyon. Everyone maneuvered around this obstacle in great form, with a spotter below and Syl helping to guide each person across. This first test already proved that this group of women would be one I could count on and trust in the mountains.
We quickly made ourselves at home when we arrived at the hut. It felt strange to be the only group there but it didn’t take us long to spread out and take up the entire space. While we ogled at the amount of food that the porters had brought up for us (including whole cantaloupes!), Syl suggested we go over some maps. She taught us, a captive audience, how to estimate the length of a trail, how to determine UTM coordinates, how to read topographic lines, etc.
Over a dinner of beef rotini, we got to know one another better by sharing our experiences in the mountains.
Rebeccah exploring an ice cave. Photo Emma Chong.
Day 2 - Skills day
The morning was gray and dreary, rain pelting the windows. But with the alarming amount of wildfire smoke that hung in the air we welcomed the rain wholeheartedly. Today we would stay inside the hut for a skills practice day.
After a hearty breakfast and a few cups of coffee, the team was ready to start learning. We put on our climbing harnesses and Syl went over basic climbing knots and quizzed us on the difference between a knot and a hitch. We talked about gear and went over the basics of glacier travel as a roped team. It was the first time that most of the group would be on a glacier, and everyone was eager and open to learning.
The sky cleared up after lunch so we took the opportunity to hike to the toe of the Bow Glacier to get some practice walking with crampons and being roped up as a team. The air felt noticeably cleaner.
At the toe of the glacier by Iceberg Lake, we geared up with our harnesses again but this time added crampons to the mix. First, we all tried making ice anchors with our ice screws. Then Syl taught us how to walk with crampons on the glacier uphill and most importantly, downhill.
My crampons turned out to be too big, which can be very dangerous on the glacier by increasing the chances of the crampons falling off and causing a slip and fall. Renee, who has larger feet than me, generously traded her crampons with mine. She had a different brand of crampon that happened to fit my feet better. This was an important lesson to make sure your crampons fit before going on a trip!
The group transitioning after a day on the Wapta Icefield. Photo Emma Chong.
On our way back, we hiked around a rocky platform to get a better view of the peaks to the East. To cap off an already great day, we went into an ice cave. After an impromptu photo session, we walked back to the hut and finished the day with a charcuterie and cheese board. Yes, you read that right.
That evening, we had some interesting discussions around representation and diversity in the mountains and the barriers to access racialized groups face. We talked about the importance of creating a safe space for racialized groups, especially among the leading organizations within the outdoor industry like the ACC. Syl described her experience training to be one of the first female ACMG guides and we all revealed our own experiences as minorities in the outdoor space. The topic of conservation and environmentalism also came up.
Day 3 - Exploring the Bow Glacier, crevasse rescue practice, and a birthday celebration!
Today we would apply our skills in the field! Everyone was nervous but keen to get out on the glacier again. We quickly ate our breakfast of smoky carrot soup, then packed our lunches and started out. As if the universe knew today would be our field day, the weather cleared to reveal bluebird skies.
Crevasse rescue was on the agenda so we were on the lookout for a suitable crevasse to apply our skills. We settled on a rocky outcrop at the foot of Mount Rhonda instead. Syl demonstrated how to set up a pulley system in the snow, using the rock outcrop as our "crevasse" lip.
Sylvia and Rebeccah crossing the glacier. Photo Emma Chong.
Then we divided into two groups to practice. Shenanigans ensued when one team realized that the system they set up was too short to rescue their “victim” and our team did some creative problem solving trying to rescue another. I’m happy to report that all our victims made it out of the crevasse safely.
To conclude our time on Mount Rhonda, we celebrated Hanan’s birthday. Emma brought some one-bite brownies and we serenaded the birthday girl. A pretty good birthday, if you ask me!
One the way back, Syl asked me to lead the group down the glacier. I have been on a glacier before but this would be my first time leading such a large group. I made my way down, mindful of each step. We all made it back to Iceberg Lake in record time and cheered as we completed our first full day in the field.
Group photo at the entrance to the ice cave. Photo Sylvia Forest.
After settling in back at the hut, we debriefed the day, discussing the riskiest part of the day (we all agreed it was descending the glacier at the end of the day) and the day’s highlights (walking on the glacier with clear blue skies).
Day 4 - Review, Packing up
Our final day at the Bow Hut consisted of readying the hut for the next group and packing up. I was sad that my time with this amazing group of women was coming to an end, but I felt grateful to have had the opportunity to share this experience with them and to Syl for guiding us. It was truly invigorating being in the mountains with such a supportive and enthusiastic team and I can’t wait for the next one.
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