Youth Mountaineering Course

Course Agenda – Adventure, Learning, and Fun

Day 1 – Welcome & Hike to Bow Hut
We meet at the Yamnuska Classroom in Canmore at 8:30 a.m. for introductions, a review of course goals and itinerary, and an equipment check. After getting geared up, we drive 1.5 hours north to Bow Lake and begin our hike to Bow Hut, located at 2,350 m beside the Bow Glacier’s snout. The hike is approximately 7 km with 400 m of elevation gain and takes 3–5 hours. This is the perfect way to ease into the mountains, enjoy the scenery, and start building teamwork and confidence.

Days 2 – 5 – Skills, Peaks, and Glacier Adventures
Bow Hut is our home base for the week, ideally situated near the glacier and several peaks, giving us easy access to excellent terrain for hands-on instruction. Depending on conditions, we may spend nights in other nearby huts to explore different areas.

Peaks commonly climbed on the course include:

• Mt. Olive (3,110 m)
• Mt. St. Nicholas (2,900 m)
• Mt. Gordon (3,200 m)
• Mt. Thompson (3,050 m)
• Mt. Rhondda (3,110 m)

Note: From Day 2 onward, the agenda is flexible. Weather, snow conditions, and group pace will shape daily activities to ensure both safety and an optimal learning experience.

Day 6 – Review & Hike Out
On the final day, participants will have a last chance to review key techniques before hiking back to Bow Lake and returning to Canmore in the late afternoon. This is the perfect way to reflect on accomplishments, celebrate teamwork, and enjoy the mountains one last time.

Curriculum Highlights – Learning by Doing

This teen program is hands-on, flexible, and full of adventure. No two days are the same — snow and weather conditions guide instruction, and the course may move to different huts to take advantage of ideal terrain. Key topics are revisited throughout the week to reinforce skills and build confidence.

Skills Covered:

Snow School:

• Moving safely on snow
• Ice axe use
• Self-arrest techniques
• Snow anchors

Ice School:

• Walking with crampons
• Ice anchors

Glacier Safety:

• Glacier morphology and hazards
• Choosing safe routes
• Rope techniques for glacier travel
• Crevasse rescue

Navigation:

• Map and compass skills
• Whiteout navigation procedures
• Route planning

Safe Movement & Mountain Awareness:

• Trail techniques and pacing
• Rope use on snow, ice, and mixed terrain
• Accident and emergency procedures

Climbing & Leadership:
Teens will actively share the lead, solve route-finding challenges, and make decisions alongside their peers and guides. Every glacier crossing and peak ascent is an opportunity to apply skills, build teamwork, and gain confidence in the mountains.

By the end of the week, participants will have practical mountaineering skills, stronger resilience, and lasting friendships, along with a lifelong connection to the outdoors.

Our Experience, Instructors and Group Size

We have substantial experience running programs for teenagers. For the last 20 years, we have supplied the mountain skills instruction for the Rocky Mountain National Army Cadet Camp. Each year we teach 200, 15-to 17-year-olds mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking, canoe, kayak, and mountain biking!

Our instructors are certified by the internationally-recognized Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and licensed by Parks Canada. The instructors for this course will be selected on the basis of their experience with youth programs. There will be a maximum of 6 participants per instructor.

Meeting Place and Time

The program begins at the Yamnuska Classroom at #100, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore, at 8:30 am on the first day. Map

Location

The course is based out of Bow Hut on the Wapta Icefields just north of Lake Louise. The peaks range from 2900 meters to 3200 meters in height and are of just the right difficulty for instruction. The extensive glaciers are ideal for gaining experience in both safe travel among crevasses and in whiteout navigation when the weather turns bad.

Curriculum

There is considerable flexibility built into the delivery of this course, no course is exactly the same. Snow and weather conditions will dictate the order of presentation to some degree. The course may also move over to other huts. The pace of the course will be adapted to reflect the age group of our participants. Key topics will be constantly revisited during the program.

Topics include:

• Snow School: Movement on snow – Use of Ice Axe – Self Arrests – Snow Anchors
• Ice School: Use of Crampons – Ice Anchors
• Glacier Safety: Glacier Morphology – Choosing a Safe Route – Rope Use for Glaciers – Crevasse Rescue
• Navigation: Map and Compass Use – Whiteout Procedures – Route Planning
• Safe Movement: Trail Techniques and Pacing – Use of Rope on Snow, Ice, and Mixed Terrain
• Accident and Emergency Procedures
• CLIMBS!!! ‘Introduction to Mountaineering’ is a hands-on course. Skills are explained, demonstrated in the field, and then put into practice by participants during glacier crossings and peak ascents. Expect to be sharing the lead, solving route finding problems, and fully involved in decision making.

Transportation

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

We provide transport to and from the trailhead.

You should plan 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 trip, we stay in alpine huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. Sleeping areas are communal and facilities basic.

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 at your hotel or our office.

All meals, snacks, and drinks are supplied from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6. Mountain meals are made from nutritious, healthy ingredients and are cooked and dehydrated in our own kitchen by our chef. 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.

Equipment and Clothing

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
• Prusik cord, slings, carabiners

You need to bring:

• Mountaineering Boots* (must be crampon compatible)
• Multiday pack* (55-65 litres)
• Multiday pack* (55-65 litres) – leave some space in your pack for a small share of group food to carry to the hut
• Daypack* (30-40 litres), (optional)
• Sleeping bag*
• inflatable pillow
• Water bottle (1-2 litres)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen, SPF lip balm
• Camera
• Compass – we recommend that you choose a compass with mirror sighting and declination adjustment, such as Suunto, Brunton, or Silva.
• 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)
• Lightweight hiking shoes for the approach to Bow Hut (optional)
• Music player and lightweight reading material (optional)

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

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
• Buff/neck tube
• Running shoes or sandals

There is no running water throughout the week. Baby wipes are also great for personal hygiene and to freshen up during the week.

Additional gear info:

Backpack:  It is possible to use just one multiday backpack (55-65 litres), 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.

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.

Mountaineering Boots: A good pair of mountaineering boots is essential. They need to be warm and crampon compatible. Yamnuska uses Scarpa Mont Blanc boots.

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.

Climbing 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 ask that parents familiarize themselves 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.