 
mountain adventures
MOUNTAINEERING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
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Mountaineering, Climbing, and Skiing In The Canadian Rockies
The 'Bugs' are one of North America's most famous climbing areas. This world renowned alpine paradise with its awesome granite spires, beautiful glaciers and lush green valleys, attracts alpinists from around the world. Why? The climbing. It's superlative! The objective of this program is simple: climbing and instruction on the area's famous classic rock routes. In addition to Bugaboo, Pigeon and Snowpatch Spires, there are many enjoyable routes on other nearby spires. For intermediate and advanced mountaineers. PROGRAM DETAILS2008 DateJuly 20 - 24 Private departures are available from Late June to Early September. Please visit our Bugaboos Ascents page for more details. Price$1650 CDN covers guiding and instruction, hut fees, out-trip meals and use of specialized group climbing gear. Not included: Canmore accommodation, Gratuities & 6% Goods and Service Tax (GST)*. Cancellation insurance available for $87. Optional pre and post trip accommodation packages are available from $80 per person per night for shared room lodging ($160 for single occupancy). Purchase with booking. Subject to availability. More climbing: Yamnuska guides and instructors are also available for private climbing in the Bugaboos and elsewhere before and after the program ... details . * A 50% rebate of the GST is available to non-residents of Canada.
Instructors & Group SizeMaximum guide to guest ratio is 1:4 on purely instructional days and then 1:3 on easier routes then 1:2 on more difficult routes. The guides are enthusiastic and extremely talented, they hold guide certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and we are licensed to operate in the area by B.C. Parks. Maximum group size is 8. Location
The Bugaboos are a sub-group of the Purcell Mountains known for their distinctive spires. They are located west of the Columbia Valley and we reach them by driving west from Canmore to Radium Hot Springs then by driving along an improved logging road another 50km or so. Once at the end of the road we climb 3 hours to reach the Conrad Kain Hut which is located just below the Spires. This area is also famous for heliskiing in winter. Meeting Time & Place
Program Agenda
Day 2-5: Split into small groups based upon ability, experience and personal objectives. Objectives may include but are not limited to:
Our Approach: Guiding & InstructionWe have set up the guide ratios to allow us to adjust to your ability and personal objectives. You may prefer to just get out and climb or you may prefer a little more emphasis on instruction, either way our 'small team' approach will allow you to get the most out of your week. Climbs will be chosen to give you the right amount of challenge and to showcase the climbing the area has to offer. The program objective is to provide the opportunity both to climb challenging routes for all levels of ability and to provide instruction in alpine rock techniques. Instruction will focus on those skills needed for safe, efficient travel over 3rd, 4th and 5th class terrain.
Climbing on Snowpatch Spire. James Blench photo. Difficulty & PrerequisitesParticipants need prior basic mountaineering and rock climbing experience. You must be fit and in good physical shape. TransportationTransportation to the Bugaboos is not included. We suggest that participants car pool. One option is to arrange to share in the cost of a rental car with others on the program. This may simplify transport to Canmore as well. The last 45km into the Bugaboos is gravel and it is not advisable to overload standard vehicles. Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. Greyhound Bus Lines (1 800 661 8747) serves Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway. Call 609 8790, 609 0300, 609 1490 or 609 8505 for taxis in Canmore. Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation in Canmore is not included. For your convenience we can arrange bed and breakfast hotel rooms at $160 per night. These will be at the recommended Westridge Country Inn. Double or single occupancy, the cost is the same. For those wishing to defray this cost we will try to pair them with other participants. This accommodation can be booked with the trip online or by calling us. Subject to availability. You can also make your own arrangements. Check our links page for a range of recommended Canmore accommodations. In addition the Alpine Club of Canada Clubhouse (403 678-3200) is a good hostel here in Canmore with nice facilities and reasonable prices. Excess luggage can be left at your hotel or our office. Clothing & GearWe supply group climbing gear such as ropes & hardware but you must bring your own personal climbing gear (e.g. harness, helmet, ice axe), clothing and general equipment. We can lend you personal climbing items except for boots and shoes for which a rental charge applies. We do recommend that you bring 'rock shoes' in addition to mountaineering boots. Make sure that you let us know, in advance, what you will need to borrow and to rent. The equipment and clothing you bring with you will play a large role in the quality of your experience. Read the following suggestions and list carefully. If you have any questions or need clarification don't hesitate to call or email. There is room for substitution and changes but if you have any doubt do contact us. CLOTHING LISTWe suggest layers of light, easily carried clothing that allows for fast and easy adjustment to best suit fast changing temperature conditions. We discourage cotton clothing as it causes rapid heat loss when wet. Feel free to call us if you have any questions about what to bring. This list covers items needed for all likely conditions during the mountaineering season. Your guide will go through your clothing and gear with you prior to the program. You will need to bring:
EQUIPMENT LISTYou will need to bring: (Items in blue are available to rent from Yamnuska, we can loan you the items in red). You must give us plenty of notice if wanting to rent or loan gear.
OPTIONAL ITEMSWe supply the following items, but if you have your own, please feel free to bring along - Your rack, gear sling, nut pick, belay device, prussick slings, locking biners.
InsurancePlease ensure that you are covered for the cost of evacuation or rescue should you fall ill or be injured. Most health benefit plans and some travel insurance policies do cover this. Otherwise, in the event that you need these services you may be liable for the cost. We can give you further information if necessary. Booking InformationPlease book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A deposit of $613 CDN (including GST) is required at time of booking. Final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the program. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance for an extra non-refundable $87, this can only be purchased at the time of booking. For detailed booking instructions and conditions, click here. Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy. We also request that you complete and return our on-line mountain experience questionnaire. Two Week Program: Qualify for a 5% discount by taking two or more of our week long programs in one season.
LinksCheck these out websites compiled by past guests about trips to the Bugaboos.
PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO
CONTACT US IF
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The program begins at the Yamnuska
office at 7:30am
on the first day.
The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park. See this
Day 1: Meet in Canmore at 7:30 am (or at
Radium Hot Springs at 10:00 am). Drive to Bugaboo Provincial Park
(c. 3 hrs), then hike up to the Kain Hut (c. 3 hrs). You'll be
blown away by the location. The hut sits perched high on a bench
above Bugaboo Creek. Just to the east, the Bugaboo Glacier gouges
past Marmolata Spire to plunge, in a broken frenzy of ice, to the valley floor.
It's behind the hut though that the scene explodes, for dwarfing
otherwise spectacular spires nearby are the huge granite walls of
Snowpatch and Bugaboo Spires.
The Conrad Kain Hut, a large attractive hut in a
spectacular position beneath the 'Spires', will be the accommodation for
the course. Sleeping areas are shared with sleeping mats provided.
There is propane and hydro from a small hydroelectric generator to
provide power for cooking. You will need to bring a small sleeping
bag. All meals, snacks and drinks are supplied from lunch on Day 1
to lunch on Day 6. Meal preparation and clean-up duties are shared
between participants and instructors. Please let us know, well in
advance, if you have any dietary restrictions.
Yamnuska Mountain
Adventures
