AST 1 for Ice Climbers

Course Agenda

Day 1

9:30 am in Canmore 

Introductions, goals and objectives, agenda

• Avalanche phenomena, formation and characteristics of avalanches
• Avalanche Terrain Recognition for ice climbing, introduction to the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale
• Changes in the mountain snowpack, snow metamorphism

12:00 pm

• Lunch break

1:00 pm

• Assessing and reducing risk
• Accessing and utilizing the Avalanche Danger Scale and Public Avalanche Bulletins
• Using the Avaluator^TM
• Safe travel and trip planning
• Companion Rescue: A methodical approach
• Logistics for the Field Day

4:30-5:00pm

• Class ends

Day 2

9:00 am – Venue will be determined based on current conditions. Possible locations include the Lake Louise area and Cascade Ponds.

• Meet, issue gear and introduce additional field day instructors
• Weather and avalanche bulletin group discussion
• Field observations (ongoing)
• Transceivers and companion rescue practice
• Managing risk in avalanche terrain (ongoing)
• Overhead hazard analysis and weather factors
• Route selection, hazard and terrain recognition (ongoing)
• Snowpit and stability tests for the ice climber
• Group rescue exercise

4:30 pm

• Debrief and end of course

NOTE ON RISK: The course takes place in the backcountry in a winter environment.  Conditions can be harsh and you need to be adequately dressed to enhance your comfort and learning.  During the day we will be on the periphery of avalanche terrain however, we do limit our exposure to avalanches so that we can operate in the program area no matter what the avalanche danger is for that given day.  All of our guides/instructors carry first aid kits and emergency communication.  The course is designed to provide a good platform for learning and is not meant to be physically challenging or to put you at risk. Our focus is on instruction so we find appropriate avalanche study areas close to the road to maximize your avalanche education.

NOTE: Agenda may vary with field conditions and group abilities. It is important that you be properly equipped for a full day in the backcountry in winter conditions (see gear tab).

Instructors & Group Size

Yamnuska avalanche instructors are ACMG and IFMGA guides who are trained and certified by the Canadian Avalanche Association. They are true practitioners with years and in some cases, decades of experience in the backcountry, practicing what they preach.  Yamnuska has been offering Avalanche courses since the late 1970s and we have been instrumental in the curriculum development of the AST programs. We are proud of our rich history in training recreationists in Canada.   

On the field day, there is a maximum of 8 participants per instructor.

Program Logistics

Canmore courses begin at 9:30 am on the first morning at the Yamnuska classroom in Canmore. Our classroom is located at #100, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore Alberta. See this map of the location. Please note that the field trip will likely take place in Lake Louise.

Transportation

To keep prices down participants are responsible for their own transportation. Canmore is a 1 hour (100km) drive west of 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 program 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. Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore.

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

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.

Food is not supplied.  On the classroom day, we will take a one-hour break for lunch as well as several smaller breaks.

On the field day, it is important to have lots of snack-type high-energy foods as well as at least one litre of fluid.  We highly recommend bringing a Thermos-type container for a hot drink.  Due to the nature of the environment and winter temperatures, we will often ‘snack’ along the way and do not take an extended break for lunch.

Equipment & Clothing

First day in the classroom.  This is an indoor session, dress casually and comfortably.  Yamnuska supplies course manual, Companion Rescue Card, and Avaluator^TM.   Please bring a pen and notebook if you wish to take notes.  On the field day, Yamnuska will supply, upon request, an avalanche transceiver with batteries, an avalanche probe, and an avalanche shovel.  We also supply group snow study kits and snow saw.

Equipment List

• Mountaineering/Ice Climbing Boots.
• Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment, 30-litre minimum recommended)
• Avalanche transceiver – digital transceiver with a triple antenna. If you have an older type, single or double antennae, we will loan you a transceiver.
• Avalanche shovel (collapsible metal shovel designed for companion rescue), loaners available.
• Avalanche probe, loaners available
• Sunglasses and/or ski goggles
• Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1 – 2 Liters)
• Sunscreen
• Pocket knife
• Small Blister and Personal 1st-Aid Kit
• Hand Sanitizer

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures uses current state-of-the-art avalanche companion rescue gear on all of our courses.  Please let us know in advance if you wish Yamnuska to provide you with an avalanche transceiver, probe, or shovel for the field day.

Optional Equipment

• Camera
• Compass with clinometer
• Snow thermometer

Yamnuska supplies but feel free to bring anyway:

• Snow saw
• Snow Study Kit

Clothing

On the field day, there can be prolonged periods of inactivity in very cold temperatures. Don’t be afraid to bring extra layers as we don’t travel great distances. We suggest bringing light clothing of varying thicknesses 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. Cotton clothing is not appropriate as it causes rapid heat loss when wet. Below is our recommended list:

Please call our office if you have any questions.

• Long Underwear (top and bottom). They should be synthetic such as Capilene or Merino Wool.
• Warm pants (softshell, insulated, or fleece)
• Warm shirt (not cotton)
• Sweater or fleece jacket
• Insulated jacket or vest. This is essential for staying warm while taking breaks or when the weather gets really cold.
• Waterproof jacket with hood and pants (Gore-Tex or nylon) A hardshell set up is essential when the weather turns really wet.  Gore-Tex, H2NO or similar material works great.
• Socks (wool outer, synthetic blend liner). A good pair of socks goes a long way to preventing blisters.
• Wool or fleece hat that covers the ears
• Buff
• Warm gloves and light glove liner
• Gaiters, only needed if your ski pants are not elasticized at the ankle

• 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)

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking. As a leading avalanche course provider, our courses do fill quickly. Many people book the AST 1 and reserve a spot at the same time for the AST 2 later in the season.

It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident while here. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for a rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass which you can obtain on entry to Banff National Park.

Please 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.