January Update
GSTA members. A few updated from the last month. There has been a large uptick in Trip Reports. This is much Appreciated. And by all accounts radio use on the road has been great. We have had no reports of road incidents since the beginning of the season. That’s all good news.  

Search and Rescue (SAR) Reminder

Over the weekend, Search and Rescue responded to a call for an injured skier. They’ve provided the following reminders to help ensure safety for all backcountry users: 

Before Heading Into the Backcountry
Have a Trip Plan – Let someone at home know where you are going and when you plan to return.
Prepare for an Overnight Stay – Always carry essentials in case you need to spend the night outdoors.
Expect Limited Cell Coverage – While some signal may exist along ridge tops, coverage is unreliable below the height of land.
Carry a Satellite SOS Device – Ensure you have a working device and know how to use it. This can be critical in an emergency.
Use GPS & Know Your Location – A GPS device or app can help pinpoint your exact coordinates (latitude/longitude). Knowing your location increases the likelihood of a helicopter response (weather permitting).
Bring a Map – A paper map is invaluable if your batteries die or visibility drops. The area has a risk of skiers mistakenly heading toward Queest Village or the 4 Mile Rec Site on Shuswap Lake instead of Craigellachie and the Trans-Canada Highway.

• Recommended maps:
  • Environment Canada map 82M006 (1:20,000) – out of print but useful.
  • Backroads Mapbooks – offers a decent map of the area.
  • Both are available as geo-referenced PDFs for use in apps like Avenza Maps.

Carry a Portable VHF Radio – The designated frequency for emergency contact is Resource Road Channel RR-9 (150.365). (Use only for emergencies, not for general chat.)
First Aid & Emergency Gear – Pack essentials such as:

• First aid kit
• Fire starter
• Folding saw
• Parachute cord
• Small headlamp

Be Ready for a SAR Call – If you need to call SAR, be prepared to provide:

• Your exact location (Lat/Long, if possible)
• The number of people in your party
• Details of injuries or medical issues
• Your ability to stay out overnight

For more backcountry safety tips, visit AdventureSmart.
 
We also have reports, both from K3 Cat skiing and from our Trip Report form of a small herd of Caribou possible heading towards the North Queest / Gorge area. Here is what you should know.

Caribou 101
The Caribou appear to be moving toward the Gorge area, with likely sightings near the North Queest / Gorge area soon. These animals are following ancient migration routes used for thousands of years. Its important we give them space.
 
Caribou Best Practices:

• Non-disturbance is key. Give them as much space as possible and minimize noise (e.g., sleds, helicopters).
• The minimum distance from sighted animals is 500 meters in any direction.

 
If you encounter Caribou:

• Adjust your plans, such as changing your skin track direction or ski line.
• Alert others in your party and other user groups of the location.
• Avoid following fresh Caribou tracks.

 
The closer you are, the higher the likelihood of stress for the animals, causing them to exert unnecessary energy. Winter is a critical time when their fat reserves are low, and they must conserve energy.
 
Caribou in winter are typically found in tree line and below tree line areas. The high snowpack allows them to evade predators and access their primary food source, lichen (“Old Man’s Beard”), found hanging from trees. Recreationalists are most likely to encounter Caribou in old-growth areas at these elevations.
 
When migrating, Caribou often walk in each other's tracks, which can make estimating their numbers difficult. If they remain in an area for a longer period, their tracks spread out.

Be Prepared
A reminder that the Gorge Ski Touring Association has no operations and is not responsible for any activities at the Gorge. The area is remote and features avalanche terrain ranging from simple to complex. Please check avalanche.ca before heading out.
Important Radio Restrictions
Traveling on the Forest Service Road requires compliance with updated radio regulations:

• As of October 31, 2023, the Craigellachie-Anstey Gorge Road (0839.01) requires two-way radios 7 days a week (October 31 to May 1).
• The designated frequency is Resource Road Channel RR-9 (150.365).

Let’s all do our part to ensure safe access for everyone.

Thank you for your continued support! If you have questions, suggestions, or would like to get more involved, please reach out.
 Gorge Ski Touring Association Steering Committee
 www.gorgeskitouringassoc.ca

While it seems like the majority of Gorge FSR users are using radios, there was a reported close call last Friday, November 29, 2024 between a recreational light vehicle and an industrial vehicle. Anecdotaly, there have been other reports of recreational vehicles on the road without radios unfortunately...

As a reminder, radios are mandatory!! Everyone's safety including yours is depending on it and continued access to the Gorge FSR is also depending on you having a radio and using it properly!

There have been reports of Government Resource Officers checking for radios at the bottom of the road.

So, make sure you have a radio before you go!

Its going to be deep this weekend so have fun and stay safe!

For those of you still out there, Avy Canada has issued a SPAW for this weekend. Please read it here.

A Valentine's Day update from our friends at K3:

The Gorge is a busy place at times - radio use seems to be pretty much near 100% - which is what is needed. Still need to try to get folks to do more than just call their KM's - to actually listen, but hey it is a work in progress!

Logging is ongoing - lots of traffic - though most of the 1st round of hauling seems to be done by +-  8 am. 

So far the road is holding up nicely - only the bottom 1 K has some melt freeze and a bit of breakup.

Nice to see folks keeping the MIN  updates coming - we have Avalanche.ca forecasters on staff and they appreciate the info. Especially in places where there is a lack of "Industry" reports from the INFOEX.

December 24th update from our friends at K3 Catski:

Merry Christmas from K3
Quick update for those that maybe missed it... logging is wrapped for the Holidays (will resume Jan3), the road is only being plowed to keep access.
Today there was 30-40 cms of new snow and it might get complicated if no plowing occurs over the next few days even with high clearance and 4x4).
The Highway is a parking lot too - high avy hazard in the Pass and 3 Valley.
Stay safe - stay warm ( I do not miss -35 from Wednesday).
Be sure to check Drivebc and Avalanche.ca - there is lots of change happening.
Be sure to thank Santa for the snow if he drops by later tonight.
Merry Christmas

An update from our friends at K3 from December 10th:

A quick "Pre-Christmas" update from out our neck of the (snowy woods).
Winter has returned! and about time. Lots of snow the last while, and perhaps a bit of a break and some sun and cold air coming.
The skiing has improved immensely (from what I've heard - too busy with paperwork still myself to get any turns in yet).
There is still quite a bit of Alder lurking in the usual haunts. Coverage gets much better as you get up higher.
The Gorge is well plowed and maintained - with lots of Industrial traffic (7 days a week), there maybe reduced plowing on the weekend so plan accordingly.
On that note from December 23 up to Jan 3rd there will be less plowing and traffic for the Christmas break. That being said - you still NEED your radio 7 days a week. Be aware that if you have a lower clearance vehicle or a trailer - it maybe much harder to get up the road for this timeframe.
Avoid the temptation to drop your sled and head up - because while you may not be able to drive up, that does not mean someone else can't or won't - as as always Santa is watching to see who drives their sleds up plowed roads.
Our road building program is in full swing, as is our preparation for Staff training and the season. You can expect an increased amount of activity in our area (sleds, snowcats, truck traffic).
Our road is plowed (though not for a few days now as the Grader snapped a drive shaft!) - again radios are the key every day.
There has been a noticeable uptick in radio use - which is awesome, and the key to keeping things working.
Remember that radios do have their quirks and issues. The 5W hand held's have far less range to both transmit, and receive then the large 30w truck ones do, but even the bigger radios can have dead spots or shortened range. The key to radio use is practice and experience, remember to listen just as much or more than you transmit, try to make a "mental map" of where the other users are, and always yield to downhill or loaded traffic. Communicate clearly and keep it on point.
If you come to a pull out and plan on parking for the day, and it is getting full - move on to the next good spot - those spots are needed to pass the loaded/unloaded traffic - don't get in the way.
Even with that - always drive as if there is a loaded truck or Moose or Sasquatch around every corner.
Turn your headlights on , and make sure you have those lovely winter tires on. Bring a proper shovel (not just the lightweight one in your pack) and a tow strap, and tire chains (and know how to use them as always).
Our friends over at Avalanche Canada love to get your MIN reports, and as always check out the bulletins before you go.
The days are about as short as they can be - so remember to plan that into your day - and make sure, if you do get caught out in the dark - that your headlamp has brand new batteries and works.
Winter is just getting started - there is a ton of skiing and power to come.
Make sure you know about any/all closures for both fire and Caribou - the onus is on the users to know what is closed and to know your location respective to these areas.
Thats about it - if you see us out and about - say hi.
Merry Christmas from K3

we have posted the status of the Gorge RR on our main page. This may change at any time so be prepared for anything!

a belated update from Nov 11 from our friends at K3 Catski:

Quick update from out west. It is a long weekend for some, and sunny (trust me) above this pesky valley cloud.
The Gorge road is well plowed, but the snow that did fall, has now been compacted into quite a slippery layer in places. The logging trucks are running extra sets of chains because of this.
Remember 4x4 does not make you stop faster.
Make sure you have the proper gear to be out there! I met 3 trucks without radios over the last couple days. Not everyone is a skier, granted, I think at least one was a guy looking for Moose.
Turn your head lights on.
Radios- winter tires, - think the ones with the mountain and snowflakes - cause that is where you are headed! M&S are not as good in snow or ice. Tire chains, and a tow strap and shovel. Make sure you know how to use all of the above. Just buying it and tossing it in the back of the truck is like buying a beacon or probe and not ever training with them.
There is more logging traffic than in other years past, and at all hours of the day and night - potentially 7 days a week. We all want to get to and from the hills safely.
1 side note - the bears are very much still awake and active - maybe bring your bear spray, or at least until your cardio catches up after the summer
Winter is off to a great start - this cold should cause some of the creeks to freeze over and be less of an issue than last year was.
Play safe - take lots of pictures, and spread the word to everyone to have the right gear to be out enjoying things.
Cheers from K3