Lake Louise Classics
Date Price Guides & Group Size Meeting Time & Place Objectives Agenda Difficulty, Fitness & Experience Transportation Accommodation Meals Clothing & Gear Insurance How to Book
Lake Louise, the heart of the Canadian Rockies is where mountaineering began in Canada. Our objectives this week are the spectacular peaks surrounding Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: Victoria, Lefroy & Fay. This is going to be a terrific week of alpine climbing. And, if you're pressed for time, you can join us for the first three days only!
2010 Dates
6-day program July 24 - 29; First 3 days only July 24 - 26
Price
Six-day program: $2100 CDN includes guiding, hut fees, out trip meals, Park Wilderness Pass and use of technical equipment. Cancellation Insurance is an additional $105.
Three-day program: $1200 CDN includes guiding, hut fees, out trip meals, Park Wilderness Pass and use of technical equipment. Cancellation Insurance is an additional $60.
Not included: Canmore accommodation, Gratuities & 5% Goods and Service Tax (GST)*.
* A 50% rebate of the GST is available to non-residents of Canada.
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.
6-Day program
3-Day Program
More climbing: Yamnuska guides and instructors are also available for private climbing after the program ... details .
Guides & Group Size
Maximum guide ratio on this program is 1:2. Our personnel are qualified guides and assistant guides and are licensed to operate in the area by Parks Canada. The maximum group size is 6.
Meeting Place & Time
The program begins at the Yamnuska office at 07:30am on Day 1. The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park. See this map for location.
Objectives
The program objective is to have
an enjoyable and challenging week of alpine mountaineering on the
large peaks surrounding Lake Louise. We have chosen a week when it is
reasonable to expect good conditions on all climbs.
From the Abbott Pass Hut at 2890 m. or 9500 ft.) we can easily access:
Mt. Victoria (3464m or 11,362 ft.) by the S.E. Ridge. This is an enjoyable and exposed climb along a narrow ridge that can either be heavily snowed up with large cornices or can be cat walk along ridge top ledges later in the season.
Mt. Lefroy (3423m or 11,227 ft.) by the West Face. This face is riven by gullies that are filled initially by snow which becomes ice as the season progresses.
From the Colgan Hut we can easily access:
Mt. Fay (3234m. or 10,607 ft.) can be climbed either by the classic N. Face routes on steep ice or by the standard N.W. ridge on rock. We will access the area from Moraine Lake and stay at the Colgan Hut, highest permanent building in Canada.
Other peaks in the region include: Mts. Huber, Lyttle, Quadra and Bident.
Sample Agenda
Day 1: We meet at the Yamnuska office in Canmore at 7:30am. After introductions, a review of goals and objectives we drive west to Lake Louise to catch the 10:30am shuttle to Lake O'Hara. Then we start the grind up to the Abbott Pass Hut, our base for the next two nights.
Day 2: At first light head towards Lefroy immediately east of the hut. Climb the steep gullies to the summit.
Day
3: Again at first light start the climb of Victoria right behind the
outhouse! We start up broken rock and snow slopes before reaching the ridge
before the first summit. A long traverse over the sickle and up again brings us
finally to the South (highest) Summit. If conditions are good it may be an
option to descend towards Mt. Huber for a climb of that peaks before descending
the Huber Ledges to L. O'Hara thence returning to L. Louise for the night at the
Alpine Centre..
Day 4: Today is going to be a grunt. We climb out of Moraine Lake to reach the Colgan Hut below Mt. Lyttle. Those with real energy may scramble up Mt. Bowlen in the evening.
Day 5: Climb Mt. Fay, either by the steep ice of the N. Face or the rock ridge on the N.W. side.
Day 6: A short climb on Mt. Lyttle behind the hut before heading down the Perren route rappels and on down to Moraine Lake where the program finishes and you will be ready for a rest!
Difficulty, Fitness & Experience
This is a strenuous and demanding program involving lots of height gain, not only to the peaks but also to the huts. So you need to be in good shape as this program involves six consecutive days of high climbing. You should have at least basic mountaineering experience. In the context of Yamnuska's program we suggest you have at least Snow and Ice Long weekend or Intro to Mountaineering.
Transportation
We rely on participants car pooling with each other. Let us know if you want other participants to contact you to arrange sharing rides. If flying in we recommend you rent a car from Calgary Airport. You may be able to share the cost with other participants.
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 0300, 609 1490 or 609 8897 for taxis in Canmore.
Climbing on Mount Victoria, Lake Louise Classics. James Blench photo.
Accommodation
During the trip we will be staying at Alpine Club Mountain Huts and at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre for one night.
For accommodation in Canmore before and after the trip 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.
Meals
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
We supply group camping & climbing gear such as tents, stoves, ropes & hardware but you must bring your own personal camping & climbing gear (e.g. harness, helmet, ice axe), clothing and general equipment. We recommend that you bring 'rock shoes' in addition to mountaineering boots, we have both for rent. We can lend you personal climbing items, let us know, in advance, what you will need.
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 write. There is room for substitution and changes but if you have any doubt do contact us.
CLOTHING LIST
We 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 course.
You will need to bring:
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LONG UNDERWEAR, top and bottom, polypro, wool, capilene or fleece.
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WOOL/BLEND SOCKS (extra pairs).
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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.
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Light SHIRT or T-SHIRT.
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Wool or fleece LONG SLEEVE SHIRT with collar.
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FLEECE SWEATER (medium weight).
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Heavyweight fleece or insulated JACKET.
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Cotton SHORTS.
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Water proof OUTER JACKET with hood (Gore-Tex).
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Waterproof OUTER PANTS, preferably with side zips on legs.
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Waterproof knee-length GAITERS that will fit over large boots .
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Waterproof mountaineering GLOVES or wool / fleece mitts /gloves plus waterproof overmitts.
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Wool / fleece HAT that covers your ears and fits under a helmet.
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SUNHAT with wide brim.
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NECK TUBE.
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RUNNING SHOES (you may wear these on approach to camp and at the camp).
EQUIPMENT LIST
You 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.
a very light SLEEPING BAG. Ideally you will be able to get all your gear plus share of food and gear into a large daypack. 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.
Large DAYPACK or small BACKPACK. Big enough to fit extra clothing, sleeping bag plus share of food and climbing gear.
MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS: You will need mountaineering boots with rigid soles designed specifically for this use. Mountaineering boots are made from leather or plastic. 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.
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ICE AXE, regular glacier axe minimum 55cm length.
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ICE CLIMBING TOOL(S), pref. with at least 1 hammer head.
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CRAMPONS, must fit your boots.
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HARNESS, comfortable with adjustable leg loops to fit over several clothing layers.
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HELMET
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SUNGLASSES with good UV protection, we suggest 'glacier glasses'.
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Extra Strength SUN CREAM.
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Lip Cream.
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HEADLAMP with fresh batteries.
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WATER BOTTLE (1L minimum).
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POCKET KNIFE.
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BLISTER KIT ('moleskin', 'Second Skin')
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FIRST-AID Items (band-aids, ibuprofen & aspirin / Tylenol is enough as guides have a kit also).
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CAMERA and spare film.
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TREKKING POLE (S) (optional).
EAR PLUGS (some of us may snore).
OPTIONAL ITEMS
We supply the following items, but if you have your own, please feel free to bring along - ice screws, prussic slings, locking biners.
Rentals
It is essential that you let us know well in advance if needing to rent or loan equipment.
Contact Yamnuska with clothing & gear questions
Insurance
There is no charge for rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass, which can be purchased at the gate when we enter the park. It is wise 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.
6-Day Program: We require a deposit of $772 CDN including GST with the balance due 8 weeks in advance, after that, full payment is required. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance for an extra non-refundable $105, this must accompany your deposit.
3-Day program: We require a deposit of $441 CDN including GST with the balance due 8 weeks in advance, after that, full payment is required. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance for an extra non-refundable $60, this must accompany your deposit.
For detailed booking instructions and conditions, click here.
Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the course. Please view our sample waiver copy.
We also request that you complete and return our on-line mountain experience questionnaire.
PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT US IF
YOU NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE.
