Intro To Basic Mountaineering
Summary
Summer
- Cost:
- $399
The Coast Mountain Ranges are renowned for summer mountaineering, with many peaks reaching over 8,000 ft! Join Mountain Skills Academy for our Intro to mountaineering course and begin to explore the mountains with confidence. In this course you will learn the basic mountaineering skills needed to safely climb a snow and ice peak.
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The Coast Mountain Ranges are renowned for summer mountaineering, with many peaks reaching over 8,000ft! Join Mountain Skills Academy for our Intro to mountaineering course and begin to explore the mountains with confidence.
In this course, you will learn the basic mountaineering skills needed to safely climb a snow and ice peak.
On day one we will focus on skill development and on day 2 we will put your skills to use by climbing on a snow and ice alpine peak.
Although not a pre-requisite, it is highly recommended that participants take a crevasse rescue course prior to taking this course as most peaks require a glacier approach. If you would like to take a comprehensive mountaineering course that includes instruction in glacier travel and crevasse rescue, consider our Mountaineering Super Course.
Why Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures?
Best Venue, Perfected Curriculum. MSAA IFMGA Mountain Guides have developed a carefully crafted curriculum designed to provide participants the perfect foundation for rapid future progression. The guides work with a lesson plan which ensures each participants receives all of the intended skills. This is a very interactive course, participants will demonstrated skills, they will put these into action with mentoring and they will then perform them in a leadership role.
World class destinations throughout the Coast Mountain Range.
Flexible terrain. We have the flexibility to choose the area with the best conditions for the objective. Sometimes we will be in one mountain range for part of the course and move to another for the rest of our course – so you have the best learning experience. On the Coast we also have the great benefit of lift accessed convenience at Whistler Blackcomb or Sea to Sky Gondola. This allows us quick and easy access to world class terrain and maximizes the time available for productive and active learning.
Day 1
- Time TBA; meet at Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures Office
- Meet and greet. Safety discussion and gear check
- Drive to location or take gondola lifts – TBA
- Lunch at around noon
- Course lessons
- 16:30 End of Day. Debrief, discuss the following day.
Day 2
- Meet at Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures Office. Departure time TBA
- Climb on a peak suitable for the objective and current conditions
- The objective is not necessarily to reach a summit but for participants to put the skills in practice
- Lunch at around noon
- End of day. Return toMountain Skills Academy & Adventures Office. Trip debrief, next steps
We are happy to help source any rental gear you need for your trip.
Weather conditions are constantly changing in the Canadian alpine. Be prepared for both hot or cold days and even rain. There are several rain protected climbing venues we endevour to utilise, but it is essential that you pack enough clothing to be prepared for any weather conditions. So please dress according to the forecast for the course days and pack clothes for varying conditions.
We recommend the following:
- Head Lamp with extra batteries
- Soft shell type climbing pants
- Insulating top and bottom under-layers and socks
- Synthetic or wool tee shirt
- Mid layer fleece top
- Weatherproof shell jacket
- Down or synthetic insulated “puffy” jacket
- Warm Hat and ballcap
- Warm mountain or ice climbing gloves
- Light gloves
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Daypack 35-45 L
- Toiletries including toilet paper
- Camera
- A hiking pole is recommended
Equipment
- Mountaineering boots
- Harness
- Helmet
- Mountaineering axe
- Crampons
- Belay device
- If you have taken a crevasse rescue kit, bring your crevasse rescue equipment
If you own your own climbing gear we highly recommend that you use it as it is best to be familiar with your own equipment.
Please let us know when you register.
Guide Gear
- First aid kit, splint, blister kit
- Cell phone/satellite phone/InReach
- Guide’s Tarp
- Programmable Radio
- 60m single ropes
- Ice screws
- Snow Picket
- Appropriate alpine rack depending on objective (alpine draws, screws, gear, pickets, etc)
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We're flexible!
Important Information
We strongly recommend you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance upon booking and Emergency Evacuation insurance.
Emergency Evacuation and Medical
This coverage provides you with emergency air rescue if required and full medical. Parks Canada provides free evacuation within the Parks and if you are a Canadian resident your medical will be covered by National Health.
We strongly recommend international visitors purchase this insurance. Emergency evacuation insurance is also compulsory for all our hut trips, as these typically take place outside of Parks Canada’s jurisdiction.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
To prepare for unforeseen circumstances we strongly recommend purchasing Trip Cancellation Insurance at the time of booking your trip. Trip Cancellation insurance covers many scenarios to reimburse you for cancelled trips outside of your control.
Our recommended insurance provider is Tugo.Com who can be reached via the following:
All course prices are quoted in Canadian Dollars and are exclusive of a 5% Federal GST. Prices are subject to change.
Full payment is required at time of registration. Our preferred method of payment is by Mastercard or VISA through our online payment portal. We also accept Credit Card payment over the phone, bank transfer and cash.
Mountain Skills Academy takes mountain safety very seriously, however there is no way to completely mitigate risk in alpine environments. Prior to undertaking any of our courses or trips we require you to sign a waiver.
Mountain conditions are extremely unpredictable and can change at short notice. Our guides endeavor to undertake the routes and/or peaks that our clients desire, however our decisions will be impacted by conditions. Unfortunately we are not able to offer refunds if conditions are not suitable to undertake a particular route on the day you have booked. We will however make every effort to take you out for the best day possible given the conditions.
Applicable to all tours and courses*: If conditions force us to cancel a course or trip we will do all we can to accommodate you at another date. If this isn’t possible we will offer a full refund. We reserve the right to decline rescheduling dates based on availability. *Does not apply to First Aid and WFR courses.
Adventures Cancellation Policy
Half Day and Full Day Programs
- Within 24 hours: Cancellation notice will result in a 100% forfeit of tuition, no reschedule.
- Outside of 24 hours: $25 rescheduling fee per booking or full refund.
- 2 Day Programs: Within 10 days cancellation notice will result in a 100% forfeit of tuition, Outside of 10 days: $25 penalty to reschedule per booking or full refund.
- 3+ Day Programs: 30 days cancellation notice will result in a 100% forfeit of tuition, Outside of 30 days: $75 penalty to reschedule or full refund.
- Customized Trips: 30 days cancellation notice will result in a 100% forfeit of tuition, Outside of 30 days: $75penalty to reschedule per booking or full refund.
**On all multi day trips pre arranged add-ons are non-refundable (food, accommodation, etc).
1-2 Day Courses
- Within 10 days: Cancellation notice will result in a 100% forfeit of tuition
- Outside of 10 days: $75 penalty to reschedule per booking or full refund.
3+ Day Courses
- Within 30 days: Cancellation notice will result in a 100% forfeit of tuition
- Outside of 30 days: $75 penalty to reschedule per booking or full refund.
**If you are able to find someone else to take your place on a course, please let us know as we are more than happy to transfer bookings.
Minors (under the age of 18 for our courses based in Alberta and 19 for those based in BC) and custodial groups (youths affiliated with an institution where the parents/legal guardian are not present on the trip) may register for certain trips and courses with a letter of consent from parents or legal guardian as well as must sign a waiver and have their parents or legal guardian sign a waiver. Further, we abide by the Parks Canada Custodial Group winter backcountry policy as outlined here.
