Our extensive experience training youth and Army Cadets is applied to this fun and challenging weeklong mountaineering course in Alberta for 15 to 17-year old’s. Being exposed to the mountain environment at a young age typically instills a lifelong love of the outdoors. Our instructional approach is tailored to the learning styles and needs of active and motivated teens. Yamnuska Mountain Adventure climbing guides are excellent mentors and personal coaches who present mountaineering skills in a fun and interactive manner. This is hands down the most amazing summer camp program any teen could attend.
We welcome parents to attend the program.
Richard was very personable. He made my parents feel reassured and confident that I was with an experienced climber before they left. Richard made the trip very enjoyable. I learned a great deal from Richard and I look forward to climbing again with Yamnuska. —D Peters
J…..filled out the survey, but I would like to add (as her mom) how reassured we were meeting Richard and having him answer all our questions. His warmth, knowledge and kindness all contributed to our confidence that J…. was having the time of her life on her mountaineering trip. We absolutely will be back to take further programs. —J Walker
I enjoyed every minute of my trip! I learned so much and the instructors were awesome. I would most definitely recommend this program! Richard was so nice and so patient with our beginner group! He always was making sure that we were having a good time and always made sure that we were able to do the things we wanted to achieve. Richard is awesome!!! —R Green
Course Agenda
Day 1: We meet at the Yamnuska Office in Canmore at 8:30 am for introductions, a review of course goals and itinerary, and an equipment check. After packing up, it’s an hour and a half drive north to Bow Lake where we commence the hike to Bow Hut, which is located at 2350m on a shoulder adjacent to the snout of the Bow Glacier. This will take us between 3 and 5 hours. We travel 7km and climb 400m.
Day 2 – 5: The Bow Hut is our base for the week. Its proximity to the glacier and to several peaks makes it easy for us to get out on suitable instruction terrain every day. It’s a perfect area for instruction. We may spend nights in one of the other huts in the region. Peaks often climbed on the course include Mt. Olive (3110m.), Mt. St. Nicholas (2900m.), Mt. Gordon (3200m.), Mt. Thompson (3050m.) & Mt. Rhondda (3110m.)
Note: From Day 2 the course agenda and the amount of time spent on each subject will depend upon conditions in the program area, the weather, group and individual abilities, and learning speeds.
Day 6: Final day. A last chance to review techniques before we hike back down to Bow Lake and return to Canmore in the late afternoon.
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 given we are based on a glacier for the week. The course may also move over to other huts. 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: Walking with 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.
Our Experience, Instructors and Group Size
We have substantial experience running programs for teenagers. For the last 15 years, we have supplied all of 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 office at 200, 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
- Prussic cord, slings, carabiners
You need to bring:
- Mountaineering Boots* (must be crampon compatible)
- Multiday pack* (55-65 litres)
- Daypack* (30-40 litres), (optional)
- Sleeping bag*
- inflatable pillow
- Water bottle (1-2 litres)
- 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)
- Lightweight hiking shoes for the approach to Bow Hut (optional)
- Music player and lightweight reading material (optional)
- Plastic mug, bowl, and eating utensils
*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
- 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.
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, 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.
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:
$2150 CDN Canadian includes instruction, hut accommodation, Park Permits, out-trip meals, local transfer to the trailhead, and use of technical gear.
Not included: Canmore accommodation, boot rentals (if required), gratuities & 5% GST.
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?
The peaks attempted on this course are of easy to moderate difficulty and where appropriate we may let students lead. We ask that parents be pragmatic about their child’s fitness level. We do modify the itinerary for youth participants but we will do long days with a pack on. We pre-place food and equipment in Bow Hut to minimize the potential first day’s heavy load. Any training your child can do in advance, particularly that involving hiking up steep terrain, will really enhance their enjoyment of this program. No prior mountaineering experience is needed. Leave that to us!
Although we recognize the positive impact programs like this can have on young people, this program is not suited for teens with behavioural or motivation challenges. Other organizations such as Outward Bound have very good programs to better suit the needs of these teens.
