Basic Ice Climbing
Dates Price Meeting Details Location Agenda Instructors & Group Size Difficulty & Prerequisites Transport Local Accommodation & Meals Equipment & Clothing Insurance How to Book
Experience and enjoy this super exhilarating sport on our Canadian Rockies Basic Ice Climbing weekend course. Personalized instruction will help you to develop technique, the signature of a good climber. We focus on movement skills and use simple rope handling techniques on short frozen waterfalls.
With the enthusiastic and dedicated 'Yam Ice Team', comprising of top climbers and guides, you'll experience an unforgettable weekend of learning, challenge and exhilaration!
In addition to taking this basic program check out the 'Plus Days' add-on option and you'll be just blown away by what you can accomplish on this weekend!
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Winter 2010/2011 Program Dates:
December 4 - 5, December 27 - 28, January 1 - 2, January 15 - 16, January 29 -30, February 19 - 20, March 5 - 6.
Price
$295 CDN covers instruction and use of technical gear, including boots. Accommodation and meals are not included but low cost, easy options exist which we can which we can tell you about. Cancellation insurance is available for $15. GST not included.
Optional PLUS DAY: $250 plus GST. Every Monday following 'Basic Ice'. Available to Basic Ice participants only. Cancellation coverage $13.
More climbing: Yamnuska Guides and Instructors are also available for private climbs after the program ... details .
Meeting Time and Place
The course begins at the Yamnuska office at 8.00am on the first day. The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park. See this map for location.
Basic Ice Climbing Course Agenda
Day
1: 8:00am At Yamnuska Office & Local Climbing Area
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Welcome, introduction, goals and agenda
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Knots and harnesses
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Adjust crampons and check gear
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Discussion of safety procedures
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Ice "bouldering" - how to use 'crampons' in a safe environment a few feet off the ground - essential for confidence!
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Basic belays and belay calls
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Top roped climbs
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Lowering
Day 2: At Local Climbing Area
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Bouldering warm up
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Introduction to steep ice climbing techniques
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Lots of climbing with coaching on steeper climbs. You will be surprised at what you can climb when using modern ice tools and proper body positioning.
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Introduction to use of ice screws and other protection methods.
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Practice "seconding" which involves removing gear placed by the "lead" climber.
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Debrief and wrap-up by 4:00pm
Basic Ice Climbing 'Plus Days'
Stay
for an extra day after 'Basic Ice' and put your new skills into practice on
a classic Canadian Rockies multi-pitch climb such as 'Professor's'. The
instructor to student ratio is 1:2, we divide into compatible teams, choose
a suitable 'multi-pitch' (several rope lengths in height) route and spend
the whole day climbing it.
$250 plus GST. Every Monday following 'Basic Ice'. Available to Basic Ice participants only. Cancellation coverage $13.
More climbing: Yamnuska Guides and Instructors
are also
available for private climbs after the program ...
details .
Instructors & Group Size
The "Yam Ice Team" includes some of the best climbers and instructors anywhere! Enthusiastic and extremely talented, they hold climbing certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and from other International Federation of Mountain Guide Association (IFMGA) countries. Your safety and enjoyment are paramount to them. There will be a maximum of 12 students, a minimum of 4. Instructor/student ratios range down from 1:6.
The "Yam Ice Team" includes Jason Billing, Steve Blagbrough, Barry Blanchard, Pat Delaney, Jesse De Montigny, Sarah Hueniken, Sean Isaac, Grant Meekins, Nick Sharpe, Mike Stuart and Mike Trehearne.
Difficulty & Prerequisites
This course is suitable for total beginners, rock climbers and general mountaineers. Ice climbing can be a strenuous activity but our instruction will emphasize development of technique to reduce the need for brute strength. The climbing will be tailored towards your ability and strength as much as possible. A high level of fitness will contribute to enjoyment and achievement. You need NO previous experience.
Transportation
To keep prices down participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore and during the program. Canmore is a 1hour (100km) drive west from Calgary.
If you are flying from afar for the program we suggest that you rent a car for your visit. In addition to getting you to the climbing locations it will allow you to explore our region a bit after program hours. For example you can visit Banff and enjoy the hot pools and sample the numerous restaurants. If you want we can put other participants in touch with you who may be interested in sharing the cost of a rental car or who may be willing to use their vehicles in a car pool.
When booking please indicate if you are bringing a vehicle and, if so, whether your are willing or not to give other participants or instructors a ride in a car pool. If you are not driving here please indicate if you'd be willing to share the cost of a rental car or if you would prefer to car pool.
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 403 609 0300, 403 609 1490 or 403 609 8897 for taxis in Canmore.
Accommodation
& Meals
These are your responsibility. There are lots of options available including campgrounds, hostels, B'n'Bs, motels and hotels! Check accommodation options on our links page for our recommendations. The Alpine Club Clubhouse (403 678 3200) is a good hostel here in Canmore with good facilities and reasonable prices.
Food is not supplied. You will need lunch and something to drink each day. Each day bring plenty to drink and a lunch plus energy snacks. We particularly suggest bringing a Thermos and hot drink.
Equipment & Clothing
The course fee includes use of technical gear although you should feel free to bring any gear you already have.
Equipment List
We suggest you bring:
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Boots, double plastic mountaineering boots*
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Daypack (large enough for spare clothing, your lunch & climbing gear e.g. rope & crampons)
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Crampons* (must fit your boots or be easily adjustable)
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Climbing Harness*
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Climbing Helmet*
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Ice Tools (2)*
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Belay Device/Descender*
*We can loan you these but you must advise us in advance that you need them.
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Sunglasses
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Thermos flask and/or water bottle (full!)
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Sun cream
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Pocket knife
Mountaineering Boots
Yamnuska has double plastic mountaineering boots which you are welcome to use. If needing these please let us know when you register. Please also give us your boot size.
Clothing List
There can be prolonged periods of inactivity in very cold temperatures. Don't be afraid to bring too much! We suggest bringing light clothing of varying thickness that can be 'layered' to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest. We discourage cotton clothing as it causes rapid heat loss when wet.
We suggest you bring:
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Long underwear (top & bottom), polypro, wool or fleece
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Warm pants (pref. insulated or fleece)
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Warm shirt (not cotton)
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Sweater (medium or lightweight)
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Fleece Jacket (heavyweight)
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Insulated jacket or vest
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Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon)
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Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or nylon)
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2 sets Socks (wool outer & polypro liner)
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Wool or fleece hat that will cover ears & fit under helmet
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Waterproof climbing gloves &/or mitts plus spares
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Knee-length Gaiters
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Neck tube
Insurance
There is no charge for rescue. If we climb in Banff National Park you will need a day entry pass (c.$9) to qualify for free rescue. This pass can be obtained when you enter the Park. It is wise, though to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident whilst here.
Booking Information
Please book as early as practical to avoid
disappointment. We require full payment on booking. To avoid unnecessary
cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance ($15),
this must accompany your payment.
Detailed booking instructions and conditions.
Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing
the course.
Please view our sample waiver
copy.
We also ask that you complete our experience questionnaire, click here.
PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO
CONTACT US IF
YOU NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE!
