'Intro to Mountaineering' Course

Course Details

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

A desire to learn, good physical fitness and a positive, adventurous attitude are the only prerequisites for 'Intro to Mountaineering'.

During this intensive program you will receive a solid grounding in alpine mountaineering: climbing on snow, ice and mixed terrain glacier travel and crevasse rescue navigation and route finding. You'll experience the thrills of your first summits, enjoy great company and be left ready to continue on your own or to join us on our advanced programs and expeditions.

Intro to Mountaineering

Dates

2000 Dates: June 18 - 24, June 25 - July 1, July 2 - 8*, July 9 - 15, July 16 - 22, July 23 - 29, July 30 - Aug 5, Aug 6 - 12 , Aug 13 - 19, Aug 20 - 26 , Aug 27 - Sept 2, Sept 3 -9, Sept 10 - 16, Sept 17 - 23

Women's Course August 13 - 19

Youth course July 9 - 15

Price

$1150 CDN (c.$775US) includes GST, Park 'Wilderness Pass', instruction, accommodation, meals and use of technical equipment.

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Location

The course is based out of Bow Hut on the Wapta Icefields just north of Lake Louise. The peaks range from 9,500 to 10,500 ft. 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.

Intro to Mountaineering

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. The course may also move over to 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: - 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
Navigation: - Map and Compass Use - Whiteout Procedures - Route Planning
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 7700 ft. 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 2000ft.

Day 2 - 6: 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 (10,200 ft.), St. Nicholas ( 9,500 ft.), Gordon (10,500 ft.), Thompson (10,000 ft.), Balfour (10,600 ft.) & Rhondda (10,200 ft.)

Day 7: Final day. A last chance to review techniques before we hike back down to Bow Lake and return to Canmore in the late afternoon.

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Instructors and 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.

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

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 preplace 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.

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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 from Calgary Airport and elsewhere (on booking we'll send you full bus info). You should plan to arrive in Canmore the day before the course (we can help you arrange accommodation).

Transportation on the course is not included per se. We will coordinate a car pool among participants, if necessary we will arrange additional transportation to ensure that everyone can reach Bow Lake (you will not need to rent a car).

Accommodation and Meals

Intro to Mountaineering

During the trip we stay in alpine huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. Sleeping areas are communal and facilities basic. We cook on Coleman stoves and melt snow to get water for drinking, cooking and washing.

All meals, snacks and drinks are supplied from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 7. Mountain meals are made from lightweight ingredients, some of which are preplaced in Bow Hut. Please let us know, well in advance, if you have any dietary restrictions.

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Equipment and Clothing

You will need to bring your own clothing, mountaineering boots, backpack and sleeping bag. We have many of these items available to rent and if not can pre-arrange them for you. We supply technical gear (ice axes, crampons, harnesses etc) and other group safety items. We will send you a complete list of what to bring when you book.

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Insurance

There is no charge for rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass (obtain on entry to National Park.) 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

Intro to Mountaineering

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require a $383CDN deposit 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 $58, this must accompany your deposit.

For detailed booking instructions and conditions, click here.

Along with all relevant receipts we will send you a full trip logistical kit (containing meeting times, a list of what to bring and info on how to get here), an experience questionnaire and a sample copy of our waiver which we will ask you to sign when you meet us.

Two-Week Program

This course is designed to dovetail with our advanced alpine climbing programs in the Bugaboos and Columbia Icefields and with 'Complete Rock' and ' Wilderness Expeditions'. Qualify for a 5% discount by taking 'Intro' and one or more of these courses in one season.

PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT US IF
YOU NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE!

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