'Complete Ice'

Course Details

DATES - PRICE - LOCATION - AGENDA
INSTRUCTORS & GROUP SIZE - DIFFICULTY, FITNESS & EXPERIENCE
TRANSPORTATION - ACCOMMODATION & MEALS - GEAR
INSURANCE - BOOKING

Imagine yourself climbing a waterfall frozen in time. Adrenaline flowing, crampons biting into vertical icicles and your 'tools' hooking into the ice above with a satisfying ' thunk' . Heart thumping yet feeling secure you look around ... it's outrageous, surreal almost, and despite the cold there's no place you'd rather be!

'Complete Ice' is a unique opportunity to learn a fantastic sport in a magical environment. You'll develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to safely climb waterfall ice climbs. Our 'hands-on' approach starts you from the ground up and takes you on to classic multi-pitch climbs in the space of six days!

Dates

Dec 27, 2000 - Jan 1, 2001; Jan 14 - 20, 2001; Feb 18 - 24, 2001

Dec 27, 2001 - Jan 1, 2002

Price

$770 CDN (c.$530US) includes GST, instruction and use of technical gear. Accommodation, local transfers and meals are not included but easy to arrange. Cancellation insurance is available for $39

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Location

The course is based in Canmore but expect to be traveling to different climbing areas throughout it. There are lots of places to climb ice in our area. These range from beginner climbs just outside Canmore to the famous "Weeping Wall" on the Banff-Jasper highway. Other climbs can be found on Banff's Cascade Mountain, at Lake Louise and in the Kicking Horse Valley near Field, B.C.

Course Agenda

Note: There is considerable flexibility built into the delivery of this course, no course is exactly the same. Ice and weather conditions as well as participant ability will dictate the order of presentation to some degree. Key topics will be constantly revisited during the program.

Day 1: *	• Meet 7:30pm at Yamnuska office. - Discuss program and goals. • Knots and harnesses. - Crampon fitting.
Day 2:	• Leave for program area. • Ice 'bouldering', how to use crampons in a safe setting just a few feet above the ground. • Learn basic rope techniques. - Short climbs using the rope. • Evening session: Hazards of ice climbing (may be held on different night)
Day 3:	• Consolidate techniques learnt on Day 2. • Techniques for climbing steep ice. • Evening session: Construction of an ice 'anchor'.
Day 4:	• A real ice climb! A multi-pitch climb that's within your limits. 2:1 ratio.
Day 5:	• Anchor building. - Ice screw placement. • Placements on steep ground. - Rescue.
Day 6:	• Another multi-pitch climb at 2:1 ratio
Day 7:	• A chance for an easy first lead or do another long route. • Course ends around 4:00pm.

* The course after Xmas starts at 0800 on the morning of the first day!!! Day 1 & 2 are combined.

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Instructors and Group Size

Your instructors are certified by the internationally-recognized Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and licensed by Parks Canada. There will be a maximum of 12 participants on the course and instructor ratios will range from 1:6 on the initial days to 1:2 on the multi-pitch days.

How difficult is it? How fit and experienced need you be?

This course is designed for total beginners and basic level climbers. 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.

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Transportation

Canmore is 100km west of Calgary on the Trans Canada (#1) Highway. Calgary International Airport is regularly serviced by flights from Europe and throughout North America. Participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore which can be reached by regular bus service (on booking we'll send you full bus info). Transportation during the course is not included. We will coordinate a car pool among participants, if necessary we can arrange additional transportation.

Accommodation and Meals

These are your responsibility. There are lots of options available ranging from the inexpensive Alpine Club of Canada Clubhouse right on up to five star hotels. We'll send you a list of recommended lodgings and are ha