 
mountain adventures
MOUNTAINEERING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
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Mountaineering, Climbing, and Skiing In The Canadian Rockies
Organizing your own mountain programs on a private basis can be extremely rewarding in terms of what you achieve. This is because the pace of the activity depends upon you and your group, there is no compromise involved as the sole aim is to satisfy your goals. There are a multitude of fine climbing areas, alpine traverses, unique expeditions and adventures that are not in our brochure. If you would like to do something different in the mountains then consider a custom trip. In the past we have operated private trips not only in Canada but also in Antarctica, Mexico & Peru.
Why choose a private program?You would typically choose a private or custom program when your objectives, schedule and expectations are not matched by those offered on our scheduled programs. You can hire a guide / instructor to do any of the activities in which we specialize:- mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, ski and snowboard mountaineering and hiking & trekking.
Summit Mount Athabasca, Sachi photo How does it work?If you would like to arrange a private climb or custom program please contact us directly, by email at info@yamnuska.com or by phone (403) 678 4164, to discuss with us what you are interested in doing. We will discuss with you your objectives, experience and expectations in order to design a program that would meet your needs. We will confirm price and itinerary with you at which point you would book by making the appropriate deposit. Booking Information. Read on for an outline of costs, booking procedures and for some ideas as to the types of programs we can offer you.
CostsWhen you arrange a private or custom program you will be paying a guide fee plus the expenses incurred in running the program. It is important to understand that should you wish to shorten your trip due to weather or personal reasons you will still be paying for the entire duration that you registered for. This is an outline of the typical costs involved. These costs do not include Goods & Services Tax (GST) which is usually 5%. A 50% rebate on the GST is available for those visiting from outside Canada. Gratuities are not included. Before booking your private program we will give you a final quote as to cost. Guide fees:The fees below are set by the number of people in your group. The guide to client ratio will be determined by the difficulty and technicality of your objective. For intermediate and advanced climbs we recommend no more than a 1 guide to 2 client ratio, for beginner level ascents and basic instruction ratios can reach 1:6.
Where climbs are more difficult, serious and/or long (for example Mounts Assiniboine, Louis, Robson, Sir Donald; Chouinard-Beckey on Howser) a surcharge will apply. Usually at least $100Cdn. TransportationYou will either need to provide the transportation for you and the guide or, should the guide need to drive him/herself to the program area then a charge, based on distance will apply. This ranges from $20 on up depending upon where you go. Once we know whether you will be able to drive the guide or where you will be going we will include transport costs in your quote. Yamnuska has several 15 passenger vans and we can supply transportation for your group using these. We can quote you a cost for this which will also depend upon how far you are driving and how much the vehicle will be used. AccommodationFor accommodation before and after a program or during a program involving day trips from either Canmore, Banff or Lake Louise, please refer to our LINKS page for recommendations. During a program you may find yourself camping, using mountain huts and hostels or even staying in hotels. Thus the cost of trip accommodation will vary with what you choose. Backcountry camping may involve minimal cost, National Park Campgrounds such as those at the Columbia Icefields cost $14 per tent per night. Mountain huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada average $25/night/person (guides free). In constructing your private program we can include the cost of accommodation for you. The actual costs will be outlined in the quote. MealsYamnuska can supply all your out-trip meals. Should you choose to supply your own we charge you only for the cost of your guide's food. In planning your menu we will need to know of any special dietary restrictions or preferences you may have (e.g. vegetarian) and of any allergies you may have (e.g. shellfish). The following daily rates (5% GST not included) apply:
Food charges will be prorated where less than 3 meals are supplied in a day. Included in the charge is supply of group cooking gear (stoves, pots & pans). For larger groups we can also arrange for a cook when requested and appropriate (mountain huts & campsites). GearGroup safety & technical gear (e.g. ropes & rack) is included in the guide fee. You will need to supply personal clothing and gear (e.g. ice axe, crampons, helmet & harness). Some of these items can be rented and the cost included in your package price. Yamnuska has a full range of climbing and camping gear for rent.
Guide's ExpensesYou are also responsible for your guide's expenses during your program. These include driving costs (unless you drive the guide), accommodation & meals (doesn't apply to local day climbs), helicopter costs etc. Miscellaneous ExpensesOther charges that may apply to a private program are: National Park Fees: If we climb in Banff or the other National Parks entry fees apply (c. $8/day/person) and if we overnight in a hut or camp in the backcountry a further $9/night/person Wilderness Fee applies. Helicopter Access: Some backcountry areas (e.g. B.C. Interior Ranges, Mount Robson, Assiniboine) are best accessed by helicopter. Where the fee is fixed we can include that in our package price, where it may vary we will give you our best estimate and arrange for you to pay the helicopter pilot directly. Porters: We can arrange for a porter to help on access climbs and on backpack trips to lessen your loads. The charge for a porter is $200/day plus the porter's gas costs. Options & Program Ideas
Day Climbs near Banff, Canmore & Lake Louise:The highways that traverse the Rockies ease access to a wonderful variety of peaks and make rewarding day climbs possible. From Canmore, Banff & Lake Louise you can book climbs for one day or several. Kananaskis Country and the Rocky Mountain National Parks (Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho) are all possible day destinations (Jasper is further away and you may be better staying at one of the hotels or hostels along the Banff-Jasper Parkway). Typically these climbs are mostly on rock with some snow in the early season. Private Day Climbs are easiest to organize and involve the fewest costs, typically just guide fee plus gear rentals, if you are supplying transport. Here are a few suggestions: Beginner level
There are also many great multi-pitch rock routes in the area such as those on Yamnuska, East End of Rundle and Ha Ling Peak (Chinaman's). These are better outlined on our Private Rock Climbing page. Mountaineering Instruction
Another excellent instructional area is the Wapta Icefield. Just north of Lake Louise (1 hour drive from Banff & Canmore) these large glaciers are surrounded by peaks suitable for beginner instruction and climbs. Strategically placed huts are perfect bases for longer instructional programs (3 - 7days). It is in this region that we operate our very popular Intro to Mountaineering courses. Mid-June to mid-October. It is also possible to provide rock-oriented mountaineering instruction on the peaks surrounding Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise.
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Intermediate & Advanced Levels
The Canadian Rockies offer ideal instruction venues on snow,
ice and rock. For shorter (2 - 3 days) programs we find the
Columbia Icefields region ideal. Close to the highway are numerous
glaciers and snowfields on which we can learn and practice glacier
travel, crevasse rescue and the other skills of snow and ice
mountaineering. Above are peaks on which we can put these skills
into practice, most notable of which is Athabasca. The Columbia
Icefields are a 2.5 hour drive north of Banff & Canmore, just
south of Jasper. We usually combine a day or two of instruction
with an ascent of Athabasca, one of the Rockies major glaciated
peaks. Mid-May to mid-October. 
Mount
Athabasca
East Post: 2590m. Located just above the
hut, the West Ridge is a fun scramble (great with the kids) or
more challenging by the S.E. Ridge (5.6).
Mount
Assiniboine 
Mt.
Robson 3954m. The highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, we usually
climb via the Kain Face. With helicopter access allow 5 days.
Mid-July to early September.
Enjoy the mountains with your family. There are areas that are
ideal places to introduce children to mountaineering whilst making
sure that the fun level remains high. We would be happy to
organize a custom program for you and your family. 
Yamnuska Mountain
Adventures
