Trip Dates
Sept. 24-26
on request
Price
Tent based course: $525/person Hut based course: $605/person
Group Size
3 guests/guide; 12 maximum
Skill Level
Beginner to Intermediate
Related Trips
Rock Climbing Courses
Complete Mountaineering Course
Guided Mountaineering
Glacier Hiking
Snow & Ice Course
This 3 day course is a condensed introduction to mountaineering with a focus on snow, ice and glacier travel skills. It is specially designed for motivated students and people who have been exposed to mountaineering, rock climbing or taken an introduction to rock climbing course before. Snow & Ice skills covered on this course include; ice axe and crampon use, self-arrests, snow and glacier travel skills, navigation, hazard assessment and crevasse rescue fundamentals as well as a possible peak ascents.
This course is available in the Nelson area, the Canadian Rockies, the Coast mountains and the European Alps. Some of the areas we often visit on the Nelson courses include; Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, Valhalla Provincial Parks & Goat range Provincial Park in the Selkirk mountains, The MacBeth Icefields, the Horseshoe Glacier and Starbird Pass near Glacier creek in the Purcell mountains.
Itinerary
3 day Snow and Ice Course Itinerary. The complete itinerary is somewhat flexible and will vary depending on participant needs, weather, conditions and course location. To maximize your learning, this course will either be based at a remote mountain hut or a backcountry camp. Below is a sample itinerary:
Day 1: Pre-trip meeting; 7:00 PM in town (2 hours)
Day 2 to 4: Remote mountain hut or backcountry camp location
Prerequisites
On this course, students will benefit from previous mountaineering and rock climbing experience. Good physical fitness is a must, comfort and experience with overnight backpacking and carrying heavy packs is very usefull.
A desire to learn along with a positive attitude will get you a long ways!
Equipment
Mountaineering_Equipment_List.pdf
Weather
Due to the higher elevations, proximity to dominant winds and weather conditions, mountain weather is difficult to predict. It is most often worse than the weather in the surrounding valleys and can change quickly as it is really hard to predict for more than 24hrs ahead.
In summer you expect temperatures to be from 10 C to 28C in the day while overnight temperature can drop dramatically in the high alpine, even below zero. Temperatures are much colder at higher elevations, even in the summer. It is not uncommon to have overnight freezing temperatures in the alpine, outside a mountain hut or near a back country camp.
It is always an interesting challenge to know exactly what you are going to get, therefore is important to be flexible with timing and not too attached to a particular goal or objective. Be prepared by bringing all required items, this ensure you will be dressed for all variations as temperatures, wind, precipitation.
Location
This course is available in the Nelson area, the Canadian Rockies, the Coast mountains and the European Alps.
Some of the areas we often visit on the Nelson courses include; Kokanee Glacier ProvincialPark, Valhalla Provincial Parks & Goat range Provincial Park in the Selkirk mountains, The MacBeth Icefields, the Horseshoe Glacier and Starbird Pass near Glacier creek in the Purcell mountains.
Services Included
- Pre-course planning support
- Fully certified IFMGA and/or ACMG Alpine Guide or Mountain Guide services
- 15 years of experience in the area
- Alternative plan based on current conditions
- Rope use & all technical equipment
- Park permits and Liability Insurance
- Emergency response plan
- Group safety equipment
FAQ
How experienced do I need to be?
On this course, students will benefit from previous mountaineering and rock climbing experience. Good physical fitness is a must, comfort and experience with overnight backpacking and carrying heavy packs is very useful.
Is it safe?
On all our courses, SMG provides you with fully certified IFMGA/ACMG Mountain, alpine and rock guides. This guaranties you the highest safety standards in the industry. Mountaineering remains hazardous and while it is impossible to eliminate all the hazards, our guides will maximize your experience and greatly minimize the risks involved.
Can I rent some of the equipment needed during the programs?
On this program we offer participants access to all the technical equipment at no extra charge. This includes; harnesses, helmets, belay device, carabineers, ice axes, crampons and much more. Contact us for specific sizes and availability.
Where can I rent/buy climbing & outdoor equipment?
Here are a few outdoor stores in Nelson that supply good service and quality outdoor equipment and gear rental, please ensure you rent gear well in advance.
Rivers Oceans and Mountains 354-2056 www.roamshop.com
Valhalla Pure Outfitters 354-1006 www.shop.vpo.ca
