 
mountain adventures
MOUNTAINEERING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
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Mountaineering, Climbing, and Skiing In The Canadian RockiesInformation About Yamnuska Mountain AdventuresOur history What we do Who our guides are Our location Permits Leave No Trace Management and office staff Our history
The idea was a hit. This was the first time that modern instructional techniques had been used on mountaineering programs in the Canadian Rockies. Up to that point guiding and instruction had followed the traditional European model. The young Canadians created quite a stir but the new approach was unstoppable and in time Yamnuska moved from brash upstart to become the modern face of Canadian mountain instruction and guiding. The early core group included included James Blench, Barry Blanchard, Dwayne Congdon, Chris Miller, Marni Virtue and Sharon Wood. Barry and James are still involved with Yamnuska and the others have all gone on to achieve success if not fame in other endeavors. Their place has been filled over the years by new generations of outstanding guides. From the days when they dominated Canada's Everest and Himalayan climbing in the '80s, Yamnuska's staff have always been at the fore of modern Canadian climbing. Not just excellent instructors and guides they have been responsible for many new routes here in the Rockies and abroad. Since 1988 Yamnuska has been owned by David Begg, a New Zealand guide who recognized the potential in Yamnuska and who committed himself to continuing its tradition of excellence in instruction and guiding. Recently he has been joined by Rob Davidson who is committed to keeping Yamnuska Mountain Adventures current, relevant and to maintaining its high standards. Yamnuska operates year round. In summer mountaineering, rock climbing and hiking are the mainstay. Come winter and the focus switches to ice climbing, avalanche training and ski mountaineering. Linking them all are the Yamnuska Mountain Skills Semesters running spring and fall. Most programs happen in the Canadian Rockies with occasional trips elsewhere. In the next year Yamnuska will be leading an expedition to Mount Vinson in Antarctica, a ski tour of Europe's famous Haute Route and running it's popular Canada-New Zealand Semester. "Yamnuska" is the popular name for the mountain guarding the Bow River's exit from the Rockies. This Stoney Indian word means 'flat faced mountain'. It is this 'flat face' that is famous for its many challenging climbs. What we doWe offer instruction, expeditions and guiding in all aspects of mountaineering (rock, ice, alpine, back country ski, avalanche, hiking) In addition to courses and instruction in all aspects of mountaineering Yamnuska applies its expertise to commercial projects which require the specialized safety skills possessed by guides. Film Production: Yamnuska supplies guides to ensure safety when shooting in dangerous locations, sources stunt and photo doubles for mountain shoots and assists with location scouting. Military Training: Yamnuska has long experience in providing tactical and adventurous training to military personnel and army cadets. This includes a contract to provide instruction and logistical support for the Rocky Mountain National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre here in the Rockies and involving multi activities for 200 cadets over a 6 week period. This is also the 14th year in which we have supplied mountaineering and rock instructors for the British Army who train in Alberta each summer. In addition to these major contracts we instruct numerous Canadian Forces groups on an ad hoc basis. Corporate Training: Yamnuska is ideally suited to assist corporate incentive and training programs by providing the outdoor adventure components which make for exceptional experiences. Our Guides
Some of this year's guides and instructors include: Barry Blanchard, Steve Blagbrough, James Blench, Todd Craig, Patrick Delaney, Marco Delesalle, Jesse DeMontigny, Tom Gruber, Steve Holeczi, Sarah Hueniken, Sean Isaac, Conrad Janzen, Paddy Jerome, Doug Latimer, Brett Lawrence, Peter Macpherson, Grant Meekins, Nigel Sharpe, Matt Peter, Martino Peterlongo, Jeff Relph, Brian Spear. Our locationYamnuska is based in the Rockies resort town of Canmore where it has a well equipped office with full logistical facilities including meeting rooms, gear rooms and an out trip food production room plus a guest bathroom where you can refresh before heading to the airport. Guests can leave extra luggage at our office whilst away on trips.
Canmore is 100 km west of Calgary and 20 km east of Banff and ideally located for all Rockies adventure activities. The population is around 12,000 and the town is fully geared for tourism with hotels, restaurants outdoor gear suppliers and everything else you might need. Canmore Map
PermitsIt is important that the company or individual you choose for your course or guided trip have the operating proper permits. Without these your group could be shut down. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures holds permits for Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks. For Assiniboine, Bugaboo, and Robson Provincial Parks in British Columbia and for Bow Valley and Peter Lougheed Provincial Parks in Alberta and also Kananaskis Country, also in Alberta. Leave No TraceYamnuska Mountain Adventures practices Leave No Trace camping and back country living practices. Your assistance in this will be appreciated. Please visit OUR COMMUNITY to learn more about Leave No Trace. Office and Management Staff
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The origins of Yamnuska Mountain
Adventures (YMA) can be found back in the mid-seventies when a group of top
young climbers including the iconoclastic John Lauchlan, decided that the
Canadian Rockies needed a modern mountain school and guide service.
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is a company owned and managed by
active guides. All climbing, skiing and hiking guides are trained and
certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). The ACMG
is a member country of the International Federation of Mountain Guide
Associations which is often known by its French acronym (UIAGM). Yamnuska
guides operate within the strict terrain guidelines of the ACMG.
The very exacting standards to which Yamnuska's guides are held should not
obscure the fact that the guides are the heart and soul of the company.
They are some of Canada's best mountaineers joined by superb guides from
other UIAGM nations. Teachers as well as leaders, they are great mountain
companions as happy to share skills and experiences as to guide on
challenging peaks. Many have been involved with the company since its
inception.
Yamnuska Mountain
Adventures
