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Newsletter February 2007 Can't read this email properly? Please visit the February 2007 Newsletter
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Tips & Techniques |
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What is Mountaineering?
Mountaineering refers to the wide range of activities that can take place in a mountain environment. Rock Climbing, Ice climbing and Skiing are the main traditional sports practiced within the mountaineering spectrum however, other less traditional sports do exists and many more will eventually come. The commonality between all of these sports is the summit objective. Mountaineering refers to attaining the summit, climbing the ice and rock that lead to the summit, skiing to and from the summit or perhaps climbing and paragliding off the summit. In mountaineering the objective supersedes the method need to succeed. An example of this is heli-sking a form of ski mountaineering, uses a helicopter to reach the summit. Another appropriate example is expedition style climbing, on long routes that require more logistics and equipment along with a larger margin of safety the expedition team and strategies are established to increase the chances of success while maintaining the largest margin of safety possible. What is Alpine (style) climbing? The main difference between Alpine climbing and mountaineering is the style and philosophy of its practice. In Alpine climbing the journey is as important if not more than the objective it self. Alpine climbing is essentially a sub sport of mountaineering, focused on its climbing components and practiced with a single push, as light weight and as fast as possible set of strategies. In some cases the risk level may be considerably higher than a classic expedition style approach for the same objective however the time spend on the mountain is considerably lower and therefore on certain objectives and alpine style ascend may increase chances of success as well as increase safety margins and satisfaction levels. A good example are routes normally done in a day, like Mt Athabasca, climbing with light packs without overnight gear may allow a team to travel quickly past the usual camping sites and through the difficulties of their chosen route. The recipe for success and safety in alpine climbing relies on one’s ability in matching the proper objective to the desired style, experience, and ability of the team. Yamnuska usually treats its guided climbing in this style, matching the experience and ability of the team to an objective, attempting the climbing in the cleanest simplest and safest manor possible. Patrick Delaney, Assistant Alpine Guide
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In The News |
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BASIC ICE COURSE Combining a Yamnuska Basic Ice course with the Canmore Ice Climbing Festival was a great idea, getting both on the same weekend! Never having climbed ice before, the Yam course was an excellent introduction. What I really liked about it was the emphasis on technique and safety. As with other Yam courses I've taken, the Yam guides always make the climbing fun, challenging, safe and suitable to my level of climbing. The location of our climbs, King's Creek and Johnston Canyon, were good choices as there were lots of options for routes and degrees of difficulty. Did I also mention that both locations were scenic beyond description. I've been asked, "What was the most important benefit of taking the course?" For me, it was being introduced to the sport of ice climbing by Yam's skilled professional guides. Two other fellows on our course were so hooked, they went on to Yam's 5 Day Ice Evolution course. Yamnuska's Basic Ice converted me; what used to look really extreme and forbidding was tremendously fun and enjoyable. If you've even thought for a nano second that you'd like to try ice climbing, take a Yam ice course. Two thumbs up! - Deborah Perret, Alberta
2006 Canmore Ice Climbing Festival
CICF Photographs by Bryce Jardine.
NEW for 2007! Backpacking KANANASKIS HIGHLANDS
This five-day backpacking trips into the South and North Kananaskis Pass offers fantastic views of Three Isle Lake, Turbine Canyon, Maude Lake, and the Haig and Beatty Glaciers as well as a summit hike to Northover Ridge. The views from Northover into the Royal Group are amazing.
NEW for 2007! Yoho Peaks
This program has been designed as a direct progression from the Snow and Ice Long Weekend and the Intro to Mountaineering Course.
It takes place in the Little Yoho Valley just west of Lake Louise. Our objective is to climb some really nice peaks, have a lot of fun doing it and to practice and refine our mountaineering skills.
We will achieve this with ascents of peaks such as the President and Vice President, Mount McArthur, Mount Kerr and Isolated Peak.
Yoho Peaks - Intermediate Mountaineering
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Yamnuska Mountain Adventures
Suite 200 Summit Centre, 50 Lincoln Park |
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Join
David Begg, Yamnuska Director on Europe's quintessential 'hut to
hut' ski traverse. The "Haute Route" links Europe's most famous
alpine centres, Chamonix, Zermatt and Saas Fee. On this ski
mountaineering pilgrimage we cross glaciers and alpine passes among
the most famous peaks in the Alps. Even our warm-up day will be
memorable ... we'll ski the famous Vallee Blanche!
2006
Canmore Ice Climbing Festival
Kananaskis
Country, referred to by locals as "K-Country", offers a multitude of
landscapes and trails. 