The story of the 2003 Banded Peak Challenge
Thrills and Chills on Banded Peak
– All about the 2003 Challenge event
By: Doug Sephton
The serenity of the mountain wilderness was deceiving. John Lajeunesse crouched on the 9,626-ft. summit of Banded Peak, shrouded in cloud, with snow and rain dripping from his rain gear. It was freezing. His sons, Nash and Ryan, were with him. They had helped him set the trail and establish the summit station.
Reports of nasty weather crackled over his communications radio – east winds carrying dark clouds and rain, known to mountaineers as upslope conditions. Another report from Camp 3 on the col (the saddle like depression between Banded and Outlaw peaks) some 360 metres below him, complained of horizontal hail stinging the faces of the guides manning the last station before the summit. The 11th and 12th participants to reach the summit in the Rocky Mountain fundraiser, were approaching some 15 metres below. Another 80-odd intrepid souls were working their way along the Outlaw creek valley, moving cautiously from one trail marker flag to the next. The flags were only 15 metres apart, but were barely visible through the cloud cover. The rocks were slick and slippery in the wet.
We didn’t call it the “Challenge” for nothing
John knew extreme conditions. He knew the powerful and dangerous forces of nature in the mountainous wilderness of Alberta. He also knew that he was responsible for the safety of those people on the mountain, and he knew the effort and determination they had invested that 5th of July morning. The decision was his. Should he call an end to the event? Should he dash the hopes of the young boys and girls, their parents, the couples and the seniors who challenged themselves and the elements to reach the peak?
About 5 ½ hours after the first of the 107 participants cycled out on the trail at 5 a.m., John urged the last two climbers to quickly summit and get off the mountain, at the same time instructing the guides at the camps below to turn everyone around. Scrambling down the pinnacle he could feel the electricity buzzing around him. BANG! A thunderous boom ripped through the air and flashes of lightning lit up the clouds.
Some of the hikers high on the mountain reported seeing lightning around them, some were afraid, some frustrated, most were cold and wet, but all agreed that the decision to turn back was the right one. They had experienced the power of the natural forces at work in the mountains. They shared the bonds of taking it to the edge and coming away with a new respect for mountain adventure and the comradeship that only those who dare can share.
The younger ones, who through negligence or inexperience, were unprepared with adequate gear for the wet and cold, learned a valuable lesson. They were able to rely on event guides, and others, who shared fleece and plastic to relieve their discomfort. They learned where the danger lies and how to recognize it. Over the years we have seen impressive feats of strength and determination from the children who participate. Likely they will use these lessons learned to explore the far reaches of our world and the heights and extremes of adventure in the wilderness.
A tough event
Through the early afternoon, the participants returned to the Staging Area. Some were caked in mud, some were sore, some chilled to the bone, some flushed with excitement and the trill of accomplishment. Most felt frustration. One participant, a third-time veteran, summed up the feelings of most, shaking a fist at the mountain, and shouting into the wind, rain and snow – “Curse you Banded Peak, I’ll get you next year”!
Milling about the event tent they shared their stories, drank hot tea or coffee, collected their event T-shirts and rewards for the donations they had made to Easter Seals Camp Horizon. They participated in the drawing of the prize winners – the airplane trips, the outdoor adventure trips and gear, the bike and other good stuff. When advised that he had won a prize, one participant asked if he could pick up the prize at camp, so that he could see the facility that allows children with serious illness or disability the chance to do things they could never imagine possible. He would see the joy and satisfaction the girls and boys experience when they escape the confines of their wheelchairs to soar through the air on the giant swing or navigate the ropes courses. That is an important part of this project. We want people to understand how their support lifts the spirit and builds the strength and confidence of the children who benefit from their generosity.
It was a tough event this year for participants and organizers. Participants raised $22,000 and corporate and private donors contributed another $6,000 in cash. Businesses provided $21,000 in sponsored goods and services. All together, a sizeable contribution to the camp, but it was less than last year, far less than we need.
Our guides had to endure real hardship while stationed at outposts along the trail, unable to move to keep warm. We lost equipment and suffered radio communications breakdowns.
Most of the participants are Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows residents who have done the event before. They contribute, on average, $275 in donations. Our top fund raisers donate over $2,000 with 6 donations over $1,000. The money raised this year will send about 50 seriously ill or disabled kids to camp. Last year we sent 75. Next year we’d like to send 140 to camp.
A life-changing experience
Camp Horizon will change the lives of 1200 kids this year. It needs almost $1 Million annually to operate. Easter Seals provides most of that money. Some of it comes from the Alberta Lottery Fund, some from facility rental off-season, some from corporate and private donors, but the Challenge is one of the largest contributors. Due to the special needs of children attending camp, the ratio of staff/volunteers to campers can be one-to-one. If campers are more independent the ratio drops to three-to-one, but the cost of supporting the dietary, medical and personal needs of the children is high – about $450/week/child.
Our thanks to participants, sponsors and volunteers comes from our hearts and from our clear appreciation of the effort and investment of all who contribute to help children face their day-to-day challenges. Thank You!
We’d also like to thank Alberta Community Development, Parks and Protected Areas and Conservation Officers Bill O’Connor, Jody and Tanya. Also Camp Horizon Directors, Diana Gallivan and Mick Howden.
Doug Sephton and John Lajeunesse
Organizers of the Banded Peak Challenge for Easter Seals Camp Horizon