Yoho Peaks

Program Agenda

Day 1:  Meet at our classroom in Canmore at 8:30 am. After issuing food and gear we pack up and then drive west to Takakkaw Falls near Field, BC (west of Lake Louise).

A pleasant hike up the Yoho Valley will bring us to the Stanley Mitchell Hut in the late afternoon. After settling into the hut, we’ll prepare ourselves for the next day’s climb.

Days 2-3: Each day we choose a suitable mountaineering objective. There are several large, glaciated peaks surrounding the upper valley, all of which are good intermediate peaks. These include: The President (10,295 ft., 3138m) on the south side of the valley is normally climbed via the north-facing President Glacier to the President Col and then following the East Ridge to the Summit. This peak can also be climbed via the SW Ridge. The Vice President (10,058 ft., 3066 m) is climbed directly from the President Col. Mount MacArthur (9,911 ft., 3021m) is on the north side of the Valley as is Isolated Peak (9,334 ft., 2845m). Both are reached via the McArthur Glacier which is accessed below Isolated Col. At the head of the valley, above Kiwetinok Pass is Mount Kerr (9,394 ft., 2863m) which is more of a rock scramble involving route finding and terrain evaluation skills. 

After finishing our Day 3 objective we will pack up at the hut and hike out. We either hike out the Yoho Valley Trail or the Ice line Trail as time allows. The scenic Iceline trail follows the contours of the Emerald Glacier and offers spectacular views of the Yoho Valley and President Range. 

Instructors and Group Size

The maximum guide to guest ratio is 1:4 although the ratio will often be less. Our guides are enthusiastic and extremely talented, holding guide certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and licensed to operate in the area by Parks Canada. The maximum group size is 8.

Meeting Time & Place

The program begins at the Yamnuska classroom at 8:30 am on the first day. The Yamnuska classroom is located at #100, 50 Lincoln Park. See this map for location.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore which is a 1 hour (100km) drive west of Calgary.

Transportation while on the program is not included. We rely on guests’ personal vehicles to reach program locations. Park Entry Passes are not included in the program price and are the responsibility of the guest.

It is wise to arrive in Canmore the day before the course (see “accommodation” below).

Park Passes

Please note that program venues may be within National Parks and/or Kananaskis Country. For programs where transportation is not provided by Yamnuska/Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska, guests will be required to purchase their own pass.

National Park passes are available both online at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/admission and in-person at National park gates and some information centres.

Kananaskis Country conservation passes are available online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx

Accommodation and Meals

During the program, we will be staying in the Stanley Mitchell Hut which is operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. Set in the meadows below the peaks, this is one of the Club’s most scenic huts. A log cabin built in the 1930s, it features communal sleeping and living areas. Cooking and lighting are propane-fueled and water is hauled from the nearest creek.

Accommodation in Canmore is not included. A variety of accommodation options exist in both Canmore and Banff, including campsites, hostels, all levels of hotels as well as condo-style accommodation with kitchens or suites.  We recommend that you book your own pre and post-trip accommodations well in advance as all levels of accommodations in the Bow Valley fill quickly.

Excess luggage can be left either at your hotel or our office.

All meals, snacks, and drinks are supplied from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 3. Mountain meals are made from lightweight ingredients.

For guests with dietary restrictions, we are able to modify the program food pack to meet your individual needs.  As food pricing and preparation for these diets is more costly, there is a surcharge.  Our kitchen staff will assess your restrictions to inform you if the diet can be accommodated and what surcharge would apply. Vegetarian meals will not be surcharged.

Please let us know the details by filling out a Food Questionnaire when you sign up for the program.

Clothing and Gear

The equipment and clothing you bring to this course will play a large role in the quality of your experience. Read the following suggestions and lists carefully. If you have any questions or need clarification, don’t hesitate to call or email.

Equipment

Yamnuska provides the following personal technical gear. Please feel free to bring your own items if desired:

• Crampons
• Mountaineering ice axe
• Climbing harness
• Climbing helmet
• Ice screw
• Prusik cord, slings, carabiners

We recommend you bring:

• Boots* (must be crampon compatible)
• Multiday pack* (60–75 litres)
• Daypack* (30-40 litres), (optional)
• Sleeping bag*
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen, SPF lip balm
• Camera
• Compass
• Headlamp (with fresh batteries)
• Earplugs
• Blister kit
• First aid items (Our guides carry a first aid kit, but you may bring your own Band-Aids and anti-inflammatory medication if desired.)
• Personal toiletries including hand sanitizer
• Trekking pole (recommended)
• Music player and lightweight reading material (optional)

*These items are available for rent. Please advise us in advance. Rental Gear

Clothing

When mountaineering, it is important to be able to adjust to the changing conditions. We recommend bringing clothing that can be layered to achieve comfort as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest. Cotton clothing is not appropriate as it causes rapid heat loss when wet.

We recommend you bring:

• Long underwear top and bottoms (lightweight synthetic or wool)
• Socks (synthetic/wool, at least two pairs)
• Light synthetic shirt
• Softshell pants and jacket
• Midweight synthetic or down jacket
• Heavyweight insulated jacket
• Waterproof hardshell jacket with hood
• Waterproof hardshell pants (should have a full-length side zip so they can be put on without taking off boots and crampons)
• Gaiters (big enough to fit over large boots)
• Waterproof mountaineering or ice climbing gloves (at least two pairs)
• Warm hat that fits under a helmet
• Sun hat
• Running shoes or sandals

• Alpha SV Jacket (Men’s & Women’s)
• Rush Jacket (Men’s & Women’s)
• Rush Bib Pant (Men’s & Women’s)
• Atom Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)
• Atom SL Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)
• Cerium Down Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)
• Nuclei Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)

Additional gear info:

Backpack:  It is possible to use just one multiday backpack, as long as it is comfortable enough to wear while climbing. If bringing an additional day pack, this should be very light and compressible in order to fit inside the bigger pack on the approach hike.

Daypack:  For single-day climbing trips your pack should be 30–40 litres.

Sleeping bag: We recommend a three-season bag rated at approximately -7 Celsius. A down bag will be lighter and more compressible for the weight than a synthetic bag. A compression stuff sack is recommended to reduce volume.

Boots: A good pair of boots is essential. They need to be warm and crampon compatible. You are welcome to try the Scarpa Mont Blanc boots that Yamuska rents.

Crampons:  Mountaineering crampons should have anti-snow-balling plates, and need to be compatible with your boots. We use the Petzl Vasak.

Mountaineering ice-axe: Your ice axe should be 55-75 cm, and should be equipped with an adze. Yamnuska provides the Petzl Summit Axe.

Climbing harness:  Should be sized to fit over your cold-weather clothing. It is recommended to have a harness with a belay/rappel loop.

Helmet:  A comfortable, all-around climbing helmet that can fit over your winter hat.

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A 35% deposit (including GST) is required at the time of booking. The final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the program. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Canadian Cheques, Money Orders, and Bank Drafts. Credit card payments are easiest, especially for international travellers.

We ask that you make yourself familiar with our detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Risk is an inherent part of all mountain activities. We strive to manage and reduce it however, it is impossible to totally eliminate. Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here.  Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.

The Simpson Group offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for both Canadian and International Travelers. Other providers offer similar services and we encourage you to select an appropriate level of coverage. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. The two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider are Medical and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.

Insurance Risk 
One of the ways to mitigate risk is by purchasing appropriate insurance. Simpson Group Insurance Services who are travel & health risk specialists, work with technical and high-risk insurance solutions both in medical and non-medical spheres.  We highly recommend that you review your insurance needs to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Simpson Group have a team standing by to answer any of your questions.

Emergency Medical Evacuation
While there is typically no charge for search & rescue in the National and Provincial Parks for active pass holders, costs such as air & ground ambulance after the rescue are not covered by your park pass. The chance of a large bill associated with this risk is a real possibility.

For Canadians
A common myth is that healthcare across provinces is fully covered. There are many things which do not carry interprovincial agreements. Ambulance services, medical evacuation, and some services which one province charges more than another you’d be responsible to pay the difference.

For Internationals
A common myth is that healthcare in Canada is free. Although it is less expensive than US healthcare, charges for non-residents can still be very high. Proper medical health insurance is essential if you were to get injured. Most coverages exclude rock climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, backcountry skiing and the like. Simpson Group can make sure all those risks are well covered.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons, business, family, flight delays, injuries, and other unplanned events.  For these eventualities, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment. We can assure you that circumstances do arise that prevent guests from participating in trips or courses and trip cancellation & interruption insurance is a relatively easy way to manage your level of risk of unforeseen events.

For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend Simpson Group Insurance Services.  For more information and to purchase a plan, visit Simpson Group’s website.