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Intro level - no mountaineering experience required
This 3-week course will immerse you in a mountaineering environment from day one to day twenty one. Total Alpine Experience is a course that is designed for climbers looking for an intensive experience-oriented program to fully develop alpine climbing and mountaineering skills.
This is an excellent program for anyone serious about developing their mountaineering skills, entering into a career as a Mountain Guide, or those who just want a few weeks of great alpine climbing!
Details for Complete Alpine Experience
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July 5-27, 2008
August 2-24, 2008
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Cost
$4,850. + gst
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Includes all technical equipment, expedition food, tents, transportation, helicopter fees, camping fees/permits and course materials.
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Prerequisites
Outdoor rock climbing and backpacking experience. You will be asked to submit a resume detailing your experience.
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Location
The initial 5 days of this course will be held in Squamish, BC, with the remaining 2 weeks spent in a variety of glaciated Alpine regions in SW British Columbia.
The Coast Mountain ranges of Southwestern BC offer some of the finest alpine and glaciated regions in North America, and many of these little known secrets could be used for the alpine portions of this course. The final decision regarding destination is made by the group based on current conditions and group abilities, though typical regions used include the following:
The Joffre Range
This is a compact group of 2,700 meter (9,000') peaks surrounded by numerous glaciers, providing a wide range of routes from long classic ridges to steep technical north faces.
The Tantalus Range
One of the most rugged and incredibly attractive ranges in the south Coast Mountains, this group of peaks offers a huge diversity of climbs. Glacier routes, ice faces, ridge lines and massive rock faces are liberally sprinkled throughout the region, providing a seemingly endless choice of objectives.
The Spearhead Range
Located behind the world class Whistler Ski resort, this Range offers up an untouched alpine region that sees remarkably few summertime visitors, with peaks up to 2,600 meters and over 20 glaciers and dozens of summits to explore.
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Guides and Instructors
All the Guides and Instructors on our Mountaineering programs are Certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and are among many of the top Climbing instructors and Guides in British Columbia. Your Lead Guide on the Complete Alpine Experience will be a certified Alpine Guide or full Mountain Guide. We ensure that you are being taught and guided by the best!
Our Instructors are chosen for their commitment to Teaching rather than Guiding, and will work with you to ensure that your full climbing potential is developed over the twenty one days of climbing and mountaineering (of course, our Instructors are still fully qualified and certified with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides!).
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Objectives
This three-week intensive course in practical mountaineering skills provides you with a focused, low ratio immersion in technical mountaineering. After perfecting your rock skills, you will move onto multi-pitch terrain and alpine rock objectives. Your next step, glacier-travel and ice-climbing, will set the pace for your final self-planned expedition to one of BC's higher peaks. Along with rock climbing, alpine snow and ice climbing, glacier travel, camp craft, rescue skills, navigation and leadership skills, you will be able to sample some of the finest alpine climbing in BC!
The first 5 days of the program are for basic training and preparation before heading into the alpine (Preparation Stage). This stage will be based in Squamish, BC. Squamish boasts some of the finest rock climbing in North America and provides an excellent location for developing and refining technical rock and rope management skills in preparation for heading into the alpine.
After the 5 days of training and preparation in Squamish, the group will move out into a glaciated alpine region for the 7-day Alpine Training Stage.
After the 7-day Alpine Training Stage, the team will head back to Squamish for 2 days to plan and prepare for the final Summit Expedition. This Stage of your training is where you and your teammates will have the opportunity to build and lead your own expedition to a significant glaciated peak, under the supervision of your Instructors. Destinations will vary based on conditions, but Mt. Waddington, Mt. Robson, the Bugaboos alpine region along with a couple of other equally fine but lesser know regions in the remote Coast Mountains are all options.
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Equipment list for Complete Alpine Experience
To view or download a printer friendly .PDF file of the Mountaineering equipment list, click here. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.
- Boots - full-leather or plastic mountaineering boots. If leather, they should be well broken-in and waterproofed
- Backpack - 60-80 liters capacity, big enough to hold all gear for the trip plus some extra communal gear
- Sleeping bag - good to approx. -5 or -10 degrees celsius
- Sleeping pad - therma-rest style or closed-cell foam
- Day-pack - 30-40 liters capacity (optional, your backpack can also work as a daypack)
- Light weight hiking shoes or runners (1 pair optional for around camp)
- Outer layer jacket with hood - Gore-Tex style
- Outer layer waterproof pants or bibs, full-zip legs are ideal - Gore-Tex style
- Lightweight thermal layers - top & bottom, Polypro, Capilene, etc.
- Climbing/hiking pants - nylon, fleece, Schoeller, etc. (1 pr)
- Gaiters (1 pr)
- Gloves (medium weight) - wool or poly-pro (2 pr)
- Waterproof gloves or mitts w/removable liners (gloves work best for rope handling and ice axe use) (2 pr)
- Warm parka/jacket - down, synthetic, fleece or pile (1)
- Sweater or vest - wool, synthetic, fleece or down (1)
- Socks - wool or synthetic blend (2-3 prs)
- Toque/warm hat - wool or fleece (1)
- Sunglasses - 1005 UV block and with side shields (1pr)
- Ski goggles (optional)
- Headlamp with extra set of batteries and extra bulb
- Personal eating utensils - cup, bowl, spoon, etc
- Personal 1st aid (blister kit, toothbrush, blister kit, toilet paper, medications, etc.)
- Misc. personal items (camera, journal, etc.)
- Sunscreen - minimum 30 spf
- Water bottles/hydration system - minimum 1 litres
- Small "thermos" for hot drinks (optional)
- Knife - Swiss army style
- Insect repellant
- Walking pole(s) - Optional but helpful for the approach/descent to your base camp
- Compass and map (map #'s to be detailed at pre-trip session)
- Crampons - adjusted to your boots (1 pr)
- 2 x 5 meter lengths of 7mm accessory climbing cord
- 1 x 1.75 meter length of 7mm accessory climbing cord
- 1 x double shoulder sling, full strength - sewn or non-sewn
- 2 or 3 person tents (as necessary)
- Single burner stoves and fuel (1 stove per 2-3 people)
- Cooking sets (2 pots per 3 people)
Technical equipment:
(required by participants)
Communal equipment required:
(this may be shared among the group participants)
-
Technical equipment:
- Ice ax and technical climbing tools
- Climbing harness - seat harness only
- Helmet
- 3 locking carabiners
- 1 belay device
(supplied by CWMS if required)
In addition, Canada West Mountain School supplies all other technical and safety gear, including ropes, carabiners, protection, etc.
Here are a few stores in the lower mainland region that supply good service and quality outdoor equipment. If you need to purchase or rent equipment, please contact the store well in advance of the course to ensure that what you require is available!
Altus Mountain Gear
137 West Broadway, Vancouver 604-876-5255 (rentals available)
Climb On Equipment
Squamish 604-892-2243
Coast Mountain Sports
2201 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver 604-731-6181
Park Royal store - West Vancouver 604 926-6126
Mountain Equipment Co-op www.mec.ca
130 West Broadway, Vancouver 604-872-7858 (rentals available)
1341 Main St, N. Vancouver 604-990-4417 (rentals available) Valhalla Pure
Station Square, Squamish 604-892-9092 (rentals available)
3 Vets
2200 Yukon Street, Vancouver 604-872-5475
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Logistics and transportation
Participants are responsible for all transportation to and from trailhead's and course meeting locations. The course will be based out of Squamish, BC, but actual field locations for the alpine portions will be determined in large part by current weather and alpine conditions. As a result participants should anticipate the possibility that some aspects of the course may be held in the interior ranges of BC if needed and may require up to 8 hours of travel.
The cost of meals on all the alpine trips is included in the course fee, though menu planning, purchase and meal preparation is the responsibility of the team as a whole. Food while based in Squamish and while traveling between course areas is the responsibility of the participants (approx 9 days).
Accommodation while on the course is in tents and/or huts. In between course segments students are responsible for their own accommodation (approx 5 days total).
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Related Programs
Complete Mountaineering
Guided Adventures
Ice Climbing Essentials
Intro to Winter Mountaineering
Please contact the Canada West Mountain School office by phone or email directly for more details.
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