Intro to Mountaineering
“Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb.”
- Greg Child -
Our Introduction to Mountaineering is a 4 day program, based at the Columbia Icefield. It is designed to give participants a solid foundation of mountaineering skills required to move on terrain such as rock, snow and glaciers with the bonus of reaching a summit or two if conditions allow.
Itinerary:
Day 1: We meet in Canmore at 8:30 am for introductions, a course review and an equipment check. Then we drive to the Columbia Icefield. Once there we will set-up camp, re-viewing all the different aspects of a good camp set-up. In the afternoon we review scrambling techniques, anchor building and belay basics. Back at camp, food preparation is a combined effort of sharing recipes and various ways to cook in the outdoors.
Day 2*: We will focus on climbing snow covered and glaciated terrain.
Day 3*: The focus will be on climbing on rock and mixed terrain
Day 4*: An early morning start for a challenge that involves the use of everything learned so far. This day finishes in the late afternoon, so you have time to drive back to Canmore or stay another night at the campground.
* Mountain weather is always changing, as well as group and individual’s abilities and learning speeds are variable, therefore program flow and the amount of time spent on each subject will depend on the weather conditions in the area and the group’s pace and progress. The summit chosen and success of that day will be dependent on the above.
During this immersive training you will learn a variety of climbing technique such as:
Climbing Technique
Progression & Protection on rock, snow and ice
Rope use and management on alpine terrain
Anchor building & belaying techniques
Glacier navigation & crevasse rescue
Scrambling & rock climbing
Snow & ice climbing
Rappelling on snow, ice, and rock
Planning & Risk
Proper planning and timing
Risk assessment
Risk management
Emergency response
Weather & avalanche basics
Conditions forecasting & assessment
Map & navigation skills
Safety & Nature
Alpine route finding (terrain reading and safe route choosing)
Best environmental practices to minimize your impact on nature
Proper camping
Efficient outdoor cooking
Gear selection
Glacier and mountains morphology
Resources & ways to continue learning
Introduction to Mountaineering Program includes:
Professional ACMG Guide
Mountaineering gear
Introduction to Mountaineering Program does not include:
Transportation / Camping Gear / Meals
Group program:
4 day program: $940.00 + GST per person.
Minimum Group Size 4 - Maximum Group Size 6.
Additional information
Please keep in mind that prior to to heading out for our Introduction to Mountaineering Program all participants are required to read and agree to waiver terms and conditions prior to booking completion. A copy of which can be found paramount-guides.com/waivers