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Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Backcountry Skiing

  • Avalanche
    • Avalanche Skills Training 1 – Canmore/Calgary
    • AST 1 (Classroom Webinar/Rockies Field Day)
    • AST 1 (Classroom Webinar/Rogers Pass Field Day)
    • Avalanche Skills Training 1 for Ice Climbers
    • Companion Rescue Refresher Course
    • Avalanche Skills Training 2 – Canadian Rockies
    • Avalanche Skills Training 2 – Rogers Pass
    • Avalanche Skills Training 2 – Purcell Lodge
  • Mountaineering
    • Beginner Programs
      • Scrambling Skills and Safety
      • Snow and Ice Long Weekend
      • Intro to Mountaineering
      • Women’s Intro to Mountaineering
      • Youth Mountaineering Course
      • Wapta Ice Hike
    • Intermediate and Advanced Programs
      • Yoho Peaks
      • Intro to Alpine Rock in the Bugaboos
      • Intro to Alpine Ice at the Columbia Icefields
      • Lake Louise Classics
      • Rogers Pass Alpinist Camp
      • Fairy Meadows Granite Base Camp
      • Bugaboos Granite
    • Canadian Rockies 11,000ers
      • Mount Temple
      • Mount Willingdon
      • Mount Cline
      • Mt Woolley & Diadem
      • Mount Hector
      • Mount Athabasca
      • Mount Andromeda – Skyladder
      • Mt Joffre Expedition
      • Mount Victoria
      • Mount Forbes (Fly in and Send)
      • Mount Assiniboine
      • Mount Robson
    • Fast and Light Series
      • Castle Mountain
      • Mt Louis Kain Route
      • Bugaboo Spire – North East Ridge
      • Mt Sir Donald – Northwest Ridge
      • Mt Aberdeen
      • Mt Fay – West Ridge
      • Mt Temple – East Ridge
    • One-Day Crevasse Rescue for the Alpinist
    • Navigation 1 (Back to Basics with Map & Compass)
    • Navigation 2 (Digital Trip Planning & Electronic Navigation)
    • One Month Summer Mountaineering Program
    • Private Mountaineering and Guiding
      • Climb Mount Athabasca
      • Bugaboos Climbing Guides
      • Climb Mount Assiniboine
      • Climb Mount Robson
  • Skiing
    • Icefields Parkway Day Touring
    • Rogers Pass & Revelstoke Day Touring
    • Backcountry Skiing and Splitboard Touring Programs
      • Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding
      • Intro to Backcountry Skiing at Purcell Lodge
      • 2-Day Backcountry Freerider Camp
      • Backcountry Belles – Women’s only Free Rider weekend
    • Steep & Deep Programs
      • Lift-Assisted Backcountry Skiing at Lake Louise
      • Rogers Pass Powder Ski Camp
      • Ultimate Steep & Deep Camp
      • Signature Series Splitboarding Steep & Deep Camp
      • Remote Ski Camp – Freshfields
    • Ski Mountaineering & Classic Traverses
      • Intro to Ski Mountaineering
      • Crevasse Rescue for Skiers & Splitboarders
      • The Wapta Traverse
      • Bow to Yoho Advanced Ski Week
      • Yoho Ski Safari
      • Bugaboos to Rogers Pass Ski Traverse
    • 11’000ers Ski Programs
      • Mt Hector
      • The Lyells & Mons Ski Descents
      • Mt Columbia Ski Expedition
    • International Ski Trips
      • Troll Peninsula, Iceland Ski Safari
      • Rishiri Island Skiing in Japan
    • Navigation 1 (Back to Basics with Map & Compass)
    • Navigation 2 (Digital Trip Planning & Electronic Navigation)
    • One Month Backcountry Ski Program
    • Private Ski Guiding & Splitboarding
  • Rock Climbing
    • Rock Climbing Level 1 – Outdoor Rock Intro
    • Rock Climbing Level 2 – Learn to Lead
    • Rock Climbing Level 1 & 2 – Rock Evolution
    • Rock Climbing Level 3 – Multi-Pitch Climbing Course
    • Rock Climbing Level 4 – Trad Rock Leader
    • Rock Climbing Level 5 – Rock Rescue & Advanced Ropework
    • Skaha Rock – 5-day Progression
    • Hot Rock
    • Ghost Rock
    • El Potrero Chico Rock Road Trip
    • Mature Movement 50+ Rock Climbing
    • Beginner Experiential Rock Climbing
    • Multipitch & Instructional Rock Climbing
  • Ice Climbing
    • Ice Climbing Level 1 – Basic Ice
    • Ice Climbing Level 2 – Top Rope Management
    • Ice Climbing Level 1 & 2 – Ice Evolution
    • Ice Climbing Level 3 – Ice Leader
    • Ice Climbing Level 4 – Multi-Pitch Ice Leader
    • Drytooling Intro
    • Rampart Creek Ice Camp
    • Ghost Ice Climbing Camp
    • Hot Ice Climbing
    • Beginner Experiential Ice Climbing
    • Private Multipitch & Instructional Ice Climbing
    • Southern Ontario Ice Climbing
      • Southern Ontario – One-day Ice Evolution
      • Southern Ontario Ice Leader
  • Mountain Semester

Mt Woolley & Diadem

Why summit one 11,000ft mountain when you can get two summits in one day!  Woolley & Diadem are two peaks just north of the Columbia Icefields.  Once on the summit of either peak guests are treated to an outstanding view of Mt. Alberta’s East Face and the impressive north wall of Twin’s Tower.   

Diadem was the first 11,000er ascended north of the Columbia Icefield and one of the few ascended prior to 1900.  Diadem was named by Norman Collie in 1898 for the 30m high “diadem” or crown of snow that capped the nearly flat summit of rocks.  It was nearly 30 years later that Woolley was climbed.  

  • Itinerary
  • Logistics
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  • Gear
  • Booking Info
  • Insurance
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Program Agenda

Day 1: We will meet all guests at our office in Canmore at 6:00 am MST on the first day.  After issuing food and gear we will pack up and drive north along the Icefields Parkway towards the Columbia Icefields.  A 4-5 hour hike with a river crossing brings us below the glacier descending from Woolley.  This will be our base camp for the trip.  

Day 2: Summit Day!  Today involves moderate scrambling with glacier travel and up to 40-degree couloirs to climb.  We will first summit Diadem and then ascend Mt. Woolley.  The final summits will be gained via snow slopes requiring crampons and an ice axe.  We will return to the campsite for the evening. Approximately 8-10 hours return. 

Day 3: Hike out from our base camp to the trailhead and return to Canmore where we can celebrate our adventures. 

Meeting Time and Place
The program begins at the Yamnuska office at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore, at 6:00 am on the first day. Map. We are located one hour west of Calgary and 5 minutes east of Banff National Park.

Guides and Group Size
The maximum guide to guest ratio is 1:2. Our guides are enthusiastic and extremely talented. They hold certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and are licensed to operate in the area. The maximum group size is 8, minimum 2. 

Transportation
Transportation is not included in this program. We will rely on guest’s vehicles to reach the trailhead. 

Canmore is situated 100km (65miles) west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. It is well served by scheduled bus lines both from Calgary (airport and downtown), Banff (20km west) and points further west. Calgary International Airport is well connected to major cities throughout North America and Europe. Vehicle rental is available both in Calgary and in Canmore. The trailhead for this program is a 2.5 – 3-hour drive from Canmore. 

Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore.

Accommodation and Meals
On the trail you will be staying in modern, lightweight 3- and 2-person weather-proof tents.

All meals, snacks and drinks are supplied from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 3. For guests with dietary restrictions, we can modify the program food pack to meet your individual needs.  As food pricing and preparation for these diets is more costly, we have implemented the following surcharges.  For vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, soy-free, nut-free or any similar type of single restriction menu requests, there will be a $17/day surcharge. For a diet requiring any 2 restrictions a $26/day surcharge will apply.  For any 3 restrictions, a $31/day surcharge will apply.  Vegetarian meals will not be surcharged.  For more complex diets our kitchen staff will assess the restrictions to inform you if the diet can be accommodated and what surcharge would apply. 

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. 

Yamnuska guests receive exclusive rates with Clique Hotels & resorts upon booking an adventure with either Yamnuska Mountain Adventures or Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska.  (Please note that some rates are non-refundable)

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

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 group camping and climbing gear and 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

We recommend you bring:

  • Mountaineering boots (must be crampon compatible)
  • Suitable footwear for the river crossing (old pair of runners recommended).  These will be cached after the initial river crossing for the return journey
  • Pair of shorts for the river crossing.  These can also be cached after the initial river crossing for the return journey
  • Multiday pack* (55–65 litres)
  • Daypack* (30-40 litres), (optional)
  • Sleeping bag*
  • Sleeping pad*
  • 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 (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 (light weight 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

Additional gear info:

Backpack:  It is possible to use just one multiday backpack (55-65 litres), as long as it is comfortable 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 to approximately -7°C. 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 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. Full payment is required at the time of booking.  We accept Visa, Mastercard, Canadian Cheques, Money Orders and Bank Drafts.  Credit card payments are easiest, especially for international travellers.

We ask that you review 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’s trip.

Dates:

Private guiding options also available. Please contact us to discuss this option.

PRICE:

$1195 CDN

Includes guides,out-trip meals, use of specialized climbing gear and group camping gear.

Not included: Canmore accommodation, transportation, gratuities & taxes.

Departures can be set up on a private basis for individuals, families, or groups. We can organize a private departure and leave the trip open for more people to join. Please contact us if you would like to arrange your own departure and we will be happy to provide you with a quote based on your group’s size and trip options.

Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group.

More climbing: Yamnuska guides and instructors are also available for private climbing in the Rockies and elsewhere before and after the program.

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Is it for you?

This is an easy to moderate climbing objective. While some previous experience with exposed scrambling or rock climbing is required, this is a great first trip for those trying to gain basic mountaineering summits and who have a moderate to high level of fitness.

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