YAMNUSKA: Guided Mountaineering, Rock and Ice Cimbing, Hiking and Skiing In The Canadian Rockies
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MOUNTAINEERING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES


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ICE CLIMBING

BASIC ICE COURSE

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HOT ICE 'a unique climbing program!'

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3-MONTH MOUNTAINEERING SKILLS & OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SEMESTERS

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Mountaineering, Climbing, and Skiing In The Canadian Rockies

Basic Ice Climbing Course

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experience and enjoy this super exhilarating sport on our weekend course. Personalized instruction will help you to develop technique, the signature of a good climber. We focus on movement skills and use simple rope handling techniques on short frozen waterfalls.

With the enthusiastic and dedicated  'Yam Ice Team', comprising of top climbers and guides, you'll experience an unforgettable weekend of learning, challenge and exhilaration!

In addition to taking this basic program check out the 'Plus Days' add-on option and you'll be just blown away by what you can accomplish on this weekend!

Yamnuska Ice Climbing Video

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COURSE DETAILS

Dates  Winter 2008 / 2009

December 6 - 7;  December 27 - 28; January 3 - 4; January 17 - 18; January 31 - February 1; February 21 - 22; March 7 - 8

Price

$295 CDN covers instruction and use of technical gear including boots (may be subject to availability). Accommodation and meals are not included but low cost, easy options exist which we can which we can tell you about. Cancellation insurance is available for $16.00.  GST not included.

Optional PLUS DAY:$240 plus GST. Every Monday following 'Basic Ice'.  Available to Basic Ice participants only. Cancellation coverage $13.

Book Plus Day:    

More climbing: Yamnuska Guides and Instructors are also available for private climbs after the program ... details .

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Book a Basic Ice Climbing Course & receive 4 FREE issues to Canada's climbing magazine, GRIPPED.  Ask us for details when booking.

 

Meeting Time and Place

The course begins at the Yamnuska office at 8.00am on the Saturday morning (or on Dec 27th ). The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park. See this map for location.

Basic Ice Climbing Course Agenda

Learn correct body postiion for ice climbing. photo Bryce JardineDay 1:  8:00am At Yamnuska Office & Local Climbing Area

  • Welcome, introduction, goals and agenda

  • Knots and harnesses

  • Adjust crampons and check gear

  • Discussion of safety procedures

  • Ice "bouldering" - how to use 'crampons' in a safe environment a few feet off the ground - essential for confidence!

  • Basic belays and belay calls

  • Top roped climbs

  • Lowering

Day 2:  At Local Climbing Area

  • Bouldering warm up

  • Introduction to steep ice climbing techniques

  • Lots of climbing with coaching on steeper climbs. You will be surprised at what you can climb when using modern ice tools and proper body positioning.

  • Introduction to use of ice screws and other protection methods.

  • Practice "seconding" which involves removing gear placed by the "lead" climber.

  • Debrief and wrap-up by 4:00pm

Basic Ice Climbing 'Plus Days' 

Climbing on a multi-pitch classic ice climb. Photo Bryce JardineStay for an extra day after 'Basic Ice' and put your new skills into practice on a classic Canadian Rockies multi-pitch climb such as 'Professor's'. The instructor to student ratio is 1:2, we divide into compatible teams, choose a suitable 'multi-pitch' (several rope lengths in height) route and spend the whole day climbing it.

$220 plus GST. Every Monday following 'Basic Ice'.  Available to Basic Ice participants only. Cancellation coverage $12.

More climbing: Yamnuska Guides and Instructors are also
available for private climbs after the program ... details .

On a classic climb ... B. Jardine

Instructors & Group Size

The "Yam Ice Team" includes most of the best climbers and instructors anywhere!  Enthusiastic and extremely talented, they hold climbing certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and from other International Federation of Mountain Guide Association (IFMGA) countries. Your safety and enjoyment are paramount to them. There will be a maximum of 12 students, a minimum of 4. Instructor/student ratios range down from 1:6.

The "Yam Ice Team" includes Barry Blanchard, Steve Blagbrough, James Blench, Pat Delaney, Jesse De Montigny, Steve Holeczi, Sarah Hueniken, Sean Isaac, Grant Meekins, Nick Sharpe and Mike Stuart.

Difficulty & Prerequisites

This course is suitable for total beginners, rock climbers and general mountaineers. 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.

Transportation

Ice climbing at Canmore, Canadian RockiesTo keep prices down participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore and during the program. Canmore is a 1hour (100km) drive west from Calgary.

If you are flying from afar for the program we suggest that you rent a car for your visit. In addition to getting you to the climbing locations it will allow you to explore our region a bit after program hours. For example you can visit Banff and enjoy the hot pools and sample the numerous restaurants. If you want we can put other participants in touch with you who may be interested in sharing the cost of a rental car or who may be willing to use their vehicles in a car pool.

When booking please indicate if you are bringing a vehicle and, if so, whether your are willing or not to give other participants or instructors a ride in a car pool. If you are not driving here please indicate if you'd be willing to share the cost of a rental car or if you would prefer to car pool.

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 8790, 609 0300, 609 1490 or 609 8505 for taxis in Canmore.

Accommodation & Meals

These are your responsibility. 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.

Food is not supplied. You will need lunch and something to drink each day. Each day bring plenty to drink and a lunch plus energy snacks. We particularly suggest bringing a Thermos and hot drink.

Equipment & Clothing

The course fee includes use of technical gear although you should feel free to bring any gear you already have.

Equipment List

  We suggest you bring:

  • Boots, double plastic mountaineering boots*

  • Daypack (large enough for spare clothing, your lunch & climbing gear e.g. rope & crampons)

  • Crampons* (must fit your boots or be easily adjustable)

  • Climbing Harness*

  • Climbing Helmet*

  • Ice Tools (2)*

  • Belay Device/Descender*

*We can loan you these but you must advise us in advance that you need them.

  • Sunglasses

  • Thermos flask and/or water bottle (full!)

  • Sun cream

  • Pocket knife

Equipment Sales

As an authorized Petzl Charlet dealer we have a range of guide-recommended gear suitable for this program available for purchase. A 5% discount applies if you are booked on a Yamnuska program with greater discounts built into our gear packages. We can ship to you or have your gear awaiting your arrival here. More Information

Mountaineering Boots

Yamnuska has double plastic mountaineering boots which you are welcome to use. If needing these please let us know when you register. Please also  give us your boot size.

Clothing List

There can be prolonged periods of inactivity in very cold temperatures. Don't be afraid to bring too much! We suggest bringing light clothing of varying thickness that can be 'layered' to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest. We discourage cotton clothing as it causes rapid heat loss when wet.

We suggest you bring:

  • Long underwear (top & bottom), polypro, wool or fleece

  • Warm pants (pref. insulated or fleece)

  • Warm shirt (not cotton)

  • Sweater (medium or lightweight)

  • Fleece Jacket (heavyweight)

  • Insulated jacket or vest

  • Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon)

  • Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or nylon)

  • 2 sets Socks (wool outer & polypro liner)

  • Wool or fleece hat that will cover ears & fit under helmet

  • Waterproof climbing gloves &/or mitts plus spares

  • Knee-length Gaiters

  • Neck tube

Insurance

There is no charge for rescue. If we climb in Banff National Park you will need a day entry pass (c.$8) to qualify for free rescue. This pass can be obtained when you enter the Park. It is wise, though to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident whilst here.

Booking Information

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance ($16), this must accompany your payment.

Detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the course. Please view our sample waiver copy.

We also ask that you complete our experience questionnaire, click here.

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