Phone: 403 678 4164 - 1 866 678 4164
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Dates and Prices

Price

$2150 includes guided climbing and instruction in the bugaboos, hut fees, out-trip meals and use of specialized group climbing gear.

Not included: Transportation, Canmore accommodation, gratuities or Harmonized Sales Tax.

Private climbing departures are very popular and are available from late June to Early September. Please visit our Bugaboos Ascents page for more details.

Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through Travel Guard.

Optional pre and post trip accommodation packages are available from $80 per person per night for shared room lodging ($160 for single occupancy). Purchase with booking. Subject to availability.

More climbing: Yamnuska guides and instructors are also available for private climbing in the Bugaboos and elsewhere before and after the program.

Is it for you?

This is a strenuous and demanding program involving lots of height gain, not only to the peaks but also to the hut. You need to be in good shape as this program involves six consecutive days of climbing. Basic rock climbing and mountaineering skills are also required.  In the context of Yamnuska's programs we suggest you have at least the Snow and Ice Long weekend or Intro to Mountaineering and Outdoor Rock Intro or Rock Evolution.

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Home >> Mountaineering >> Intermediate and Advanced Programs >> Intro to Alpine Rock in the Bugaboos

Intro to Alpine Rock in the Bugaboos

The towering tooth like spires and broken glaciers of Bugaboo provincial park make this iconic alpine zone the perfect venue for an intro to alpine rock program. The Bugaboos Intro to Alpine rock has been designed for people with basic mountaineering and rock climbing skills who would like to progress towards climbing more challenging alpine rock objectives. With the low guide to guest ratios on this mountaineering program you can expect intensive personal instruction tailored to both your ability and objectives. This program is based from the Kain hut in the world famous Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.

New for 2012!

 

Bugaboos Intro to Alpine Rock Agenda

Day 1:

We meet at the Yamnuska Office in Canmore at 7:30am (or Radium Hot Springs at 10:00am if you are coming from British Columbia) for introductions, a review of course goals and itinerary and equipment check. After packing up, it's a 3 hour drive through Radium Hot Springs and down the back roads of British Columbia into the wilderness of the Purcell Mountains in Bugaboo Provincial Park. A steep but stunning hike involving 5 km and 700m of elevation gain will put us at the comfortable Kain hut at 2230m. This will take us between 3 and 4 hours.

Day 2-4:

The glaciers and peaks in the Bugaboos will be our classroom to learn the skills required to become an independent alpine rock climber. These three days will have a combination of skills instruction and student lead trips with coaching from your Yamnuska certified guide. Common objectives may be The Hounds Tooth, East Post Spire, Crescent Spire, or any of the classic glacier traverses in the area.

Day 5:

We will set our sites on one of the larger and more challenging Spires in the area and put your new skills to the test. This will be a combination of instruction and observation as your guide shows you how to move quickly and efficiently on a challenging objective. Common objectives include: Pigeon Spire, Bugaboo Spire and Snowpatch Spire. Expect a big and challenging day.

Day 6:

A final shorter student lead objective in the area will be attempted before we descend to the vehicles and return to Canmore. The Bugaboos have many ideal student lead objectives that will build your confidence and give you the skills to start climbing alpine rock objectives. You will likely begin planning your next trip to the Bugaboos on your way back to the car!

Curriculum

There is considerable flexibility built into the delivery of this course, no course is exactly the same. Snow, weather and route conditions in Bugaboo Provincial Park will dictate the order to provide the highest quality program.

Key topics will be constantly revisited during the program.

Topics include:

Glacier Skills:

  • Snow and Ice Movement Review
  • Use of Ice Axe
  • Self Arrests
  • Snow and/or Ice Anchors
  • Walking with Crampons
  • Use of Rope on Glaciers
  • Crevasse Rescue –2 man rope team systems

Alpine Rock Scrambling Skills:

  • Safe Movement Skills
  • Route finding
  • Managing Loose Rock
  • Rope use

Rock Protection:

  • Placing Nuts and Cams
  • Clipping Protection
  • Building Anchors using gear and Boulders
  • The Multi Pitch System

Navigation:

  • Map and Compass Use
  • Route Planning
  • Pacing

Hazard Evaluation and Route Selection:

  • Rock Fall
  • Snow and Avalanche Conditions
  • Bergshrunds
  • Weather
  • Accident and Emergency Procedures

ALPINE CLIMBS!!! This is a 'hands-on' course and we go to the Bugaboos to climb! Skills are explained, demonstrated in the field and then put into practice by participants during glacier crossings and peak ascents in the Bugaboos. Expect to be sharing the lead, solving route finding problems and fully involved in the decision making process.

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