Sean Isaac and Yamnuska Mountain Adventures are offering an “Ice Clinic Series”. The four topics cover the main foundations to be a solid winter climber: steep ice movement, mixed climbing, lead skills and trad-mixed climbing. Pick and choose clinics depending on your learning objectives or sign up for all four. The curriculum is based on Sean’s best selling instructional book “How to Ice Climb!”
This one-day course introduces winter climbers to the wild world of mixed climbing. Many people are unnecessarily intimated by mixed terrain so this is an opportunity to discover the tricks of trade. Even if mixed climbing isn’t your thing, the skills acquired will make pure ice climbing feel easier and are applicable to summer alpine climbing. Areas of focus will include hazard evaluation, drytooling, thin ice, hanging pillars/curtains, efficient movement and resting.
Course Agenda
Meet at the Yamnuska Office in Canmore at 7:00am
- Welcome, introduction, goals, agenda and waiver
- Check gear
- Discussion of site hazards and mitigation
- Movement coaching
- Resting strategies
- Crampon footwork
- Tool handling tactics
- Advanced ice features (thin ice, pillars, curtains)
- Mileage with individual coaching and feedback
Location
The course begins at our office in Canmore, Alberta but expect to be travel to one of the climbing areas of the Canadian Rockies in Kananaskis, Banff, Canmore, or Lake Louise. We may also access the excellent ice climbing area near Field, BC, or Kootenay National Park.
Meeting Time and Place
The course begins at the Yamnuska office in Canmore at 7:00 am on the first day. The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. See this map for location.
Instructors and Group Size
Sean Isaac is a fully certified Alpine Guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. He has been ice climbing for 30 years and instructing ice for the past 20 years. During that time, he has taught more than a thousand people the art of moving safely over frozen waterfalls. Based in Canmore, Alberta in the Canadian Rockies, Sean was a key member of the modern mixed climbing movement in late 90s and early 2000s establishing classics like Caveman, Cryophobia, The Asylum, Mixed Monster, Uniform Queen and The Real Big Drip to name a few and repeating test pieces like Musashi (M12). He has travelled all over the world in search of new routes to the remote ranges of Alaska, Patagonia, Peru, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. Sean is also author of several ice and mixed books including Mixed Climbing in the Canadian Rockies by Rocky Mountain Books, Mixed Climbing by Falcon Guides, Ice Climbing Leader Field Handbook by the Alpine Club of Canada and most recently How to Ice Climb by Falcon Guides. In addition, he has been the editor of the Canadian Alpine Journal for the past 14 years. He has appeared with featured segments in a number of climbing films including Beyond Gravity (2000) and Higher Ground (2008).
There will be a maximum of 12 students, and a minimum of 4. Instructor/student ratios range down from 1:6.
Transportation
To keep prices down participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore and during the program. Canmore is a 1hour (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 climbing locations, it will allow you to explore our region a bit after the program hours. For example, you can visit Banff and enjoy the hot pools and sample the numerous restaurants.
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 & 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. You will need lunch and something to drink. Bring plenty to drink plus lots of energy snacks. We particularly suggest bringing a Thermos and hot drink.
Equipment
Participants should have their own harness, helmet, belay device, boots, crampons (mono-points are ideal) and ice tools. Gear rental is available through Yamnuska Mountain Adventures.
- Boots (must be crampon compatible)*
- Crampons (mono-points are ideal) *
- Climbing harness*
- Climbing helmet*
- Ice tools*
- Belay device, carabiners, slings*
We recommend you bring:
- Daypack* (30-45 litres)
- Microspikes (for the approach)
- Lunch, snacks
- Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1-2 litres combined volume)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Headlamp
- Hand and toe warmers
*These items are available for rent. Please advise us in advance.
Clothing
There can be prolonged periods of inactivity in very cold temperatures throughout the course. Don’t be afraid to bring too much! 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 (heavyweight synthetic or wool)
- Socks (synthetic/wool blend)
- Softshell pants and jacket
- Midweight synthetic or down 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)
- Heavyweight parka (big enough to fit over all your other layers)
- 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
- Face Mask
Additional gear info:
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 provides.
Crampons: A good waterfall ice crampon will have vertically oriented front points and some have the option to switch to a single point for mixed climbing. We use the Petzl Lynx for our ice and mixed climbing programs.
Climbing harness: A winter climbing harness should be sized to fit over your winter clothing. It is recommended to have a harness with a dedicated spot for an Ice Clipper or Caritool.
Ice tools: It is important to have a tool with a curved hand grip at the bottom. For thin ice and mixed climbing, it is much safer to have a hammer or nothing at all attached to the head of the tool, instead of an adze. For all-around ice and mixed climbing, Yamnuska uses the Petzl Quark. For steep ice and advanced mixed climbing, Yamnuska uses the Petzl Nomic.
Belay device: Many options exist for belay devices. Ensure that your device has two slots for ropes, to facilitate rappelling. We provide the Petzl Verso or Petzl Reverso on our multi-pitch instructional programs.
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. Full payment is due at the time of booking.
We ask that you familiarize yourself 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.
There are two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.
Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:
It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for rescue in the national and provincial parks, however, costs such as air or ground transportation, long-term care and other services are not covered.
Cancellation/Trip 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, the Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.
For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group. This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian Travelers. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance. For more information and to purchase a plan, visit the Simpson Group’s website.
Please note that this coverage is for Canadian residents only. For guests who are not from Canada and who are interested in the ‘Visitors to Canada’ insurance package please contact the Simpson Group directly at JSimpson@simpson-group.com and reference your Yamnuska Mountain Adventure trip.
Dates:
PRICE:
$249 CDN covers instruction and group climbing gear. Personal climbing equipment, accommodation and meals are not included. GST is extra. Gratuities not included.
Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group.
Please note you will be required to sign the Yamnuska Release of Liability, and Waiver of Claims prior to commencing the program. Please review the sample waiver prior to booking and call us with any questions.
Is it for you?
No previous mixed experience is required but some ice climbing experience is preferred but not absolutely necessary, especially if you have a rock climbing background. Participants must be able to offer a proper top-rope belay.
