Youth Mountaineering Course

Sharing Peaks with Friends

Dates Price Meeting Time & Place Location Curriculum Agenda Instructors & Group Size Difficulty and Prerequisites Transportation Accommodation & Meals Gear & Clothing Insurance How to Book Past Students' Sites

This intensive mountaineering instruction course in the Canadian Rockies is similar to our regular Intro to Mountaineering Course except that it's for youth! Many of us started mountaineering when we were teenagers and yet there are few opportunities where teens can learn correct alpine skills with their own peer group. As usual we will provide a grounding in alpine mountaineering: climbing on snow, ice, rock & mixed terrain, glacier travel, crevasse rescue & navigation. This course is for youth, 15 - 17 years old. Parents welcome.

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

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2010 Date

TBD

Price

Intro to Mountaineering, Canadian Rockies $1430 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.

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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.

Our Experience, Instructors & Group Size

We do have substantial experience running programs for teenagers. For the last 12 years we have supplied all instruction for the Rocky Mountain National Army Cadet Camp. Each year we teach 200, 15 - 17 year olds mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking, canoe, kayak and mountain biking!

Our instructors are certified by the internationally-recognized Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and licensed by Parks Canada. The instructors for this course will be selected on the basis of their experience with youth programs. 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.

Curriculum

Heading across glacier to Mount Olive 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. The course may also move over to other huts. The pace of the course will be adapted to reflect the age group of our participants. 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: - Use of 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.

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.

Difficulty, Fitness & Experience

Glacier Travel, Intro to Mountaineering

The peaks attempted on this course are of moderate difficulty, in fact it is often appropriate to allow students the lead. You will need to be fit and it is a 'hiking' fitness that you will need as you will be traveling several kilometers of glacier each day, often having to break trail in soft snow. Whilst we generally pre place food and equipment in Bow Hut 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 really 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 1hour (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 609 8790, 609 0300, 609 1490 or 609 8505 for taxis in Canmore.

To reach Bow Lake participants can 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 (see "accommodation" below")

Accommodation & Meals

During the trip we stay in alpine huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. Sleeping areas are communal and facilities basic.

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 good facilities and reasonable prices.

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

All meals, snacks and drinks are supplied from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6. Mountain meals are made from lightweight ingredients. Please let us know, well in advance, if you have any dietary restrictions or prefer a vegetarian menu. Your assistance with meal duties will be appreciated.

Equipment and Clothing

You will need to bring all your own clothing, mountaineering boots (rentals available), 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 or insulated JACKET.
Cotton SHORTS.
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 bag rated down to 0 Celsius (320 F.) but if your bag doesn't quite get down that far don't worry too much. 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 extra clothing, sleeping bag, and share of food. Internal frame packs are most comfortable. A 60-70 Litre pack is suitable.
MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS: You will need mountaineering boots designed specifically for this use. Most hiking boots are not suitable not being firm enough, waterproof and not made to take crampons. Mountaineering boots are made from leather or plastic. Leather boots have either a semi-rigid or a rigid sole. Plastic boots have rigid soles. The most important feature of a mountaineering boot is comfort. Different brands seem to suit different feet. If buying try a few different pairs and if they are not comfortable don't buy them. There are many good brands. They include Asolo, Kayland, Koflach, la Sportiva and Scarpa.
DAYPACK. This is optional and only recommended if your backpack is too unwieldy for advanced climbs. 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 film.
TREKKING POLE (S) (optional).
EAR PLUGS for dorm sleeping.
Music Player & / or READING MATTER (optional of course).

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 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 wise, though to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident whilst here. Obtain extra coverage if necessary.

Booking Information

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A deposit of $526 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.