YAMNUSKA: Guided Mountaineering, Rock and Ice Cimbing, Hiking and Skiing In The Canadian Rockies
mountain adventures

MOUNTAINEERING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES


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ICE CLIMBING

BASIC ICE COURSE

ICE EVOLUTION 

ADVANCED ICE SYSTEMS

MIXED CLIMBING CAMP

HOT ICE 'a unique climbing program!'

PRIVATE GUIDING & INSTRUCTION

3-MONTH MOUNTAINEERING SKILLS & OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SEMESTERS

AVALANCHE COURSES

SKI MOUNTAINEERING,
BACKCOUNTRY SKIING,
& HUT TOURS

MOUNTAINEERING

ROCK CLIMBING

HIKING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

WILDERNESS FIRST AID

GENERAL INFORMATION

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Ice Climbing and Mixed Climbing in The Canadian Rockies

Ice Climbing                 Mixed Climbing

 

 

 

 

 

Guided Climbs

Instruction

Semesters

 

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is the premier ice climbing guide service and ice climbing school in the Canadian Rockies. For over 30 years we have hosted hundreds of climbers from Canada and all over the world.

We provide you with the highest quality mountain experiences, because we are owned and operated by internationally certified guides.

Our Ice Climbing Team includes most of the best climbers, guides 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.

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

Experience with us the best ice climbing on the planet!

Beginner Programs

Intermediate & Advanced Programs

Semester Programs

  • Ice climbing forms an integral part of the Yamnuska Mountain Skills Semester, a three month  program of intensive mountaineering training both in Canada and New Zealand.

 

Yamnuska Ice Climbing Video

(Windows Media Player required)

 

Equipment Sales

As an authorized Petzl Charlet dealer we have a range of guide-recommended ice climbing gear 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

 

This year we are proud to present the:

2007 Arc'teryx

Canmore Ice Climbing Festival

December 2007

clinics, competitions, guest climbers, slideshows and social events

Details This Summer

Ice Climbing Photos

Ice Climbing Grades

Ice climbing grades are unique to themselves.  Most beginner or novice start on Grades 2 & 3.  Many climbers can progress quickly and intermediate climbers are usually quite comfortable on Grade 4.  Generally Grade 5 and up is more advanced climbers.

 

WI 1 Flat - like a lake... and no routes are graded WI 1.
WI 2 Low angle ice or very short pitches up to 80 degrees.
WI 3 Sustained pitches up to 80 degree ice with good resting places.  Requires skills for placing protection.
WI 4 Sustained pitches of vertical or off vertical ice.  May have some run-outs between protection.
WI 5 Long pitches of vertical ice requiring good protection placement.
WI 6 Full pitches of dead vertical ice.  Featured or requiring awkward stances and movement.
WI 7 Full pitch of of thin vertical or overhanging ice.  Requires exceptional skill.
WI 8 Hardest climbs.