At lower elevations it is hard to imagine summer is coming to a close. Trek into the alpine and experience the flowers turned to berries and trails being covered with dusting of snow and ice. Learn more about a great late season walk that will lead you into the early signs of winter!

Spring 2010 is here and Summer is approaching fast! We have been busy developing programs and courses for this season and just finalized our newsletter for the upcoming season. Click here and enjoy SMG's 1st ever newsletter!

From ski boots to rock shoes, it was in Zion and Red Rocks that we kicked off the 2010 rock climbing season this year. We flew down to Vegas, rented a car and climbed as much as our body allowed on this 10 day personal trip!

Gray's peak, located near the southern boundary of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, offers easy mountaineering on glaciers along with a few fun granite alpine ridge climbs. This 2740m peak is easily accessible from Nelson and can be climbed in a day from the Gibson lake trail head near Nelson B.C. Here you will find a brief route description for the south-west ridge, the full south ridge and the regular north glacier route.

What level of risk is acceptable when you go back country ski touring? Acceptable level of risk or risk tolerance is very subjective. It is very personal and often based on previous experience, judgment and decision making ability. Some of the close calls that skiers live through are also a valuable opportunity to learn how to better mitigate future risks.

About this time of year, when Whitewater Ski Hill near Nelson closes, both little and big people are hiking up snow free trails like Pulpit Rock and the early season flowers pave a wave of floral succession. Learn about two early season flowers that show off their petals as winter recedes.

Aesthetic and challenging, the North Ridge Bypass, IV 5.10b on Gladsheim Peak is in Valhalla Provincial Park. It is a great day out involving lots of traveling on snow, ice, glacier and challenging alpine rock climbing along with a technical descent via the west ridge. Click on this link for more info.

“The Date” 5.10a is a 80m long fully bolted 3 pitch sport route on Pulpit Rock in Nelson, B.C.

Megawatts, II 5.8, 280m, is a fully bolted 8-pitch sport route in Castlegar, BC. Megawatts is a long moderate multi-pitch sport route, easily accessible near Castlegar. It offers a fun variety of climbing, great exposure and fantastic views. Click on this link for more info.

The Gift, III 5.11+, 200m, is a fantastic hard alpine rock climb on the South face of the West Wolf's Ear in Valhalla Provincial Park. Click on this link for more info.