Intro to Mountaineering

Mountaineering in The Rockies

Dates Price Meeting Time & Place Location Curriculum Agenda Instructors & Group Size Difficulty and Prerequisites Transportation Accommodation & Meals Gear & Clothing Insurance How to Book Program Video Trip Blogs

This intensive beginner mountaineering instruction course on the Wapta Icefields in the Canadian Rockies provides an introduction to alpine mountaineering: climbing on snow, ice, rock and mixed terrain, glacier travel, crevasse rescue and navigation. Experience the thrills of your first summits while enjoying the great company of your guides and other aspiring alpinists. At the end of the week, continue on your own or be ready to join us on advanced programs and expeditions. This incredible program has been the starting point for many successful alpinists and life-long relationships with the mountains for others.

During the day, build your skills and climb peaks. In the evening, share stories and lessons with your fellow mountaineers while relaxing in the comfortable Bow Hut.

The only prerequisites? A desire to learn, good physical fitness and a positive, adventurous attitude.

printer friendly version

2010 Dates

June 13 - 18, June 27 - July 2, July 11 - 16, July 26 - 31, July 31 - Aug. 5, Aug 8 - 13, Aug 23 - 28, Sept 4 - 9, Sept 12 - 17

Intro to Mountaineering, Canadian Rockies

Celebrating Peak Success!

Price

$1345 Canadian includes instruction, hut accommodation, Park Permits, out-trip meals, local transfer to trailhead and use of technical gear.

Not included: Canmore accommodation, Gratuities & 5% GST*. Cancellation insurance available for $72.

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.

Currency Exchange Calculator

More climbing: Yamnuska guides and instructors are also available for private climbing after the program ... details .

* A 50% rebate of the GST is available to non-residents of Canada.

Instructors & Group Size

Great people to spend a week in the mountains with, your instructors are certified by the internationally recognized Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and licensed by Parks Canada. There will be a maximum of 6 participants per instructor.

Meeting Place & Time

The program begins at the Yamnuska office at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore, at 8:30 am on the first day. Map

Location

The course is based out of Bow Hut on the Wapta Icefields just north of Lake Louise. The peaks range from 2900 meters to 3200 meters in height and are of just the right difficulty for instruction. The extensive glaciers are ideal for gaining experience in both safe travel among crevasses and in whiteout navigation when the weather turns bad.

Glacier approach to Mt. Olive

Curriculum

There is considerable flexibility built into the delivery of this course, no course is exactly the same. Snow and weather conditions will dictate the order of presentation to some degree given we are based on a glacier for the week. The course may also move over to other huts. Key topics will be constantly revisited during the program.

Topics include:

Snow School: - Movement on snow - Use of Ice Axe - Self Arrests - Snow Anchors
Ice School: - Walking with Crampons - Ice Anchors
Glacier Safety: - Glacier Morphology - Choosing a Safe Route - Rope Use for Glaciers - Crevasse Rescue
Navigation: - Map and Compass Use - Whiteout Procedures - Route Planning
Safe Movement: - Trail Techniques and Pacing - Use of Rope on Snow, Ice and Mixed Terrain
Accident and Emergency Procedures
CLIMBS!!! 'Introduction to Mountaineering' is a 'hands-on' course. Skills are explained, demonstrated in the field and then put into practice by participants during glacier crossings and peak ascents. Expect to be sharing the lead, solving route finding problems and fully involved in decision making.

Crevasse Rescue Training

Course Agenda

Note: From Day 2 the course agenda and the amount of time spent on each subject will depend upon conditions in the program area, the weather, group and individual abilities and learning speeds.

Day 1: We meet at the Yamnuska Office in Canmore at 8:30am for introductions, a review of course goals and itinerary and an equipment check. After packing up, it's an hour and a half drive north to Bow Lake where we commence the hike to Bow Hut, which is located at 2350 m. on a shoulder adjacent to the snout of the Bow Glacier. This will take us between 3 and 5 hours. We travel 6km and climb 610 m.

Day 2 - 5: Bow Hut is our base for the week. Its proximity to the glacier and to several peaks makes it easy for us to get out on to suitable instruction terrain every day. It's a perfect area for instruction. We may spend nights in one of the other huts in the region. Peaks often climbed on the course include Olive (3110 m.), St. Nicholas (2900 m.), Gordon (3200 m.), Thompson (3050 m.), Balfour (3230 m.) & Rhondda (3110 m.)

Day 6: Final day. A last chance to review techniques before we hike back down to Bow Lake and return to Canmore in the late afternoon.

Glacier Travel

Difficulty, Fitness & Experience

The peaks attempted on this course are of moderate difficulty and it is often appropriate to allow students the lead. You will need to be fit to a 'hiking' standard, as you will be traveling several kilometers of glacier each day, often having to break trail in soft snow. When possible, we will pre-place food and equipment in the Bow Hut to lighten the first day's load, however, you may still end up carrying 40lbs or more on the first day. Any training you can do in advance, particularly that involving hiking up steep terrain, will enhance your enjoyment of this program. No prior mountaineering experience is needed.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore which is a 1 hour (100km) drive west from Calgary.

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 8790, 609 0030, 609 1490 or 609 8505 for taxis in Canmore.

To reach Bow Lake participants may be asked to car pool or we will arrange a minibus at no extra cost to you.

You should plan to arrive in Canmore the day before the course.

Accommodation & Meals

During the trip we stay in alpine huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. Sleeping areas are communal and facilities are basic. Most huts are equiped with indoor propane lighting, running water, and cooking facilities, and some have wood stoves for heat. Outhouses are standard and are typically large enough to offer privacy for personal washing. There are no showers or flush toilets.

Accommodation in Canmore is not included. As an added service, Yamnuska can arrange pre and post-trip hotel rooms at $160 per night. When possible, these will be at the recommended Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn.

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 hostel here in Canmore with nice facilities and reasonable prices.

Excess luggage can be left at your hotel or our office during the trip.

All meals, snacks and drinks are supplied from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6. Mountain meals are made from nutritious, healthy ingredients and are cooked and dehydrated in our kitchen by our chef. Please let us know, well in advance, if you have any dietary restrictions or prefer a vegetarian menu. For those with special dietary needs a $10/day surcharge will be added to the program costs. Please let us know details by filling out a Food Questionnaire when you sign up for the program.

Equipment and Clothing

You will need to bring all your own clothing, mountaineering boots, backpack and sleeping bag. We supply technical gear (ice axes, crampons, harnesses, etc.) and other group safety items. The equipment and clothing you bring to this program will have a big impact upon the quality of your experience. Please be sure to bring all items requested. If you are unsure about anything please do not hesitate to call and ask us.

CLOTHING LIST

We suggest layers of light, easily carried clothing that allow 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 course.

You will need to bring:

LONG UNDERWEAR, top and bottom, polypro, wool, capilene or fleece.
WOOL/BLEND SOCKS (extra pairs).
Warm LONG PANTS to climb in. These could be windproof nylon/synthetic blend mountaineering pants, fleece pants, nylon exercise pants with light long johns or wool trousers.
Light SHIRT or T-SHIRT.
Wool or fleece LONG SLEEVE SHIRT with collar.
FLEECE SWEATER (medium weight).
Heavyweight fleece, softshell, or insulated JACKET.
SHORTS (for use around hut).
Water proof OUTER JACKET with hood (Gore-Tex).
Waterproof OUTER PANTS, preferably with sidezips on legs.
Waterproof knee-length GAITERS that will fit over large boots.
Waterproof mountaineering GLOVES or wool / fleece mitts /gloves plus waterproof overmitts.
WARM HAT (that covers ears).
SUNHAT with wide brim.
NECK TUBE.
RUNNING SHOES (you may wear these on approach to hut and at the hut).

EQUIPMENT LIST

You will need to bring: (Items in blue are available to rent from Yamnuska)

SLEEPING BAG. In summer the huts don't get too cold so don't bring a winter bag. We suggest a three-season bag rated down to 0 Celsius. If you are a warm sleeper, or if your bag doesn't quite get down that far don't worry too much. You can always wear more clothing to bed as well. Make sure you bring a stuff sac that will reduce your bag to its minimum size (i.e. one with compression straps) so you don't use up all the room in your pack.
BACKPACK. Big enough to fit clothing, sleeping bag, personal items, and share of food. Internal frame packs are most comfortable. A 60-70 Litre pack is suitable. A pack cover or large garbage bag lining the interior is great to keep things dry.
MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS: You will need mountaineering boots designed specifically for this use. Most hiking boots are not suitable unless they are waterproof, and have at least a 3/4 shank to make the sole stiff. Modern mountaineering boots are made from leather, synthetic, or plastic. Leather/Synthetic boots tend to be lighter, more breathable, and more comfortable for summer mountaineering. Lighter weight synthetic boots can also do double duty as backpacking boots for rough terrain. Plastic boots are bulkier, but usually have removable liners, stiffer soles, and are typically warmer. They tend to be a better choice if you just want one boot for summer and winter use. The most important feature of a mountaineering boot is comfort. Try a number of different brands and styles before you purchase. Some typical brands are: Asolo, Kayland, Koflach, la Sportiva and Scarpa.
DAYPACK: This is optional and only recommended if your backpack is too unwieldy for advanced climbs. Should be large enough to carry spare clothing, lunch, water and climbing gear.
SUNGLASSES with good UV protection, we suggest 'glacier glasses'.
Extra Strength SUN CREAM.
Lip Cream
HEADLAMP with fresh batteries.
WATER BOTTLE (1L minimum).
POCKET KNIFE
BLISTER KIT ('moleskin', 'Second Skin')
FIRST-AID Items (band-aids, ibuprofen & Aspirin / Tylenol is enough as guides have a kit also).
CAMERA and spare batteries/flash cards.
TREKKING POLES (optional).
EAR PLUGS for dorm sleeping.
MUSIC PLAYER AND READING MATERIAL (optional).

OPTIONAL ITEMS

We supply & pre place at the Hut the following items, but if you have your own & don't mind carrying the extra weight to the Hut, please feel free to bring them along.

ICE AXE. We suggest a general mountaineering axe optimum 70cm length.
CRAMPONS. Must fit your boots.
HARNESS. Sit harness preferred.
CLIMBING HELMET.
PRUSSICK SLINGS.
LOCKING & NON-LOCKING CARABINERS.

Contact Yamnuska with clothing & gear questions

Insurance

There is no charge for rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass (included in cost). It is also wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Obtain extra coverage if necessary.

Booking Information

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A deposit of $495 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 $72, 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. Click here for waiver copy. We also request that you complete and return our on-line mountain experience questionnaire.

printer friendly version