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Spend two days in Jasper National Park and expand your alpine climbing skill set with the help of an expert guide. Spend two days climbing glaciated terrain and steep snow/ice and learn the basics of crevasse rescue. Put your newly acquired skills to the test as you summit Mt. Athabasca, one of the most accessible and enjoyable big peaks in the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy the ascent, take in the views from the top, and make the most of your weekend!
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Meet your guides in the morning hours at the Icefields campground in Jasper National Park. Your group will be car camping at that location for the evening. Spend your first day practicing different crucial alpine skills which may include climbing a smaller peak. Some of the skills you will practice with your guide will include ice climbing, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, rappelling, and ice screw anchors.
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On your second day, you and your group will attempt to summit Mt. Athabasca (3491m) under the watchful eye of your experienced guide. It will be an early start — after a quick breakfast, you will be leaving camp around 4 a.m., so take the time to condition yourself the week before. If Athabasca is unattainable for whatever reason, one of the many other lower peaks will be attempted, such as A2 (a sub-peak of Athabasca), Boundary Peak (another sub-peak), or nearby Mt. Wilcox. Practice your newly acquired skills in the field and discover the beauty of Jasper!
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Included:
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- An experienced, local mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- Two days of alpine rock climbing
- All group technical gear
Not included:
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- Accommodation
- Camping fees
- Transportation
- Meals and snacks
- Alpine kit, crampons, harness, ice axe, and helmet (can be rented for $25.00 per day)
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This course suits all levels of climbers from beginner to advanced and is a great way to further your skills. You will need a good level of fitness as you will be moving for a minimum of three hours on the rocks plus some additional hiking. Even though climbing is all about using good movement techniques, a weekend in the alpine environment will test you. Minimum experience includes strong hiking and/or scrambling experience. Be prepared for two full days of strenuous climbing in cold temperatures and changeable weather conditions.
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If you’ve never alpine climbed before, we recommend taking an introduction to climbing course or spending a day with a guide learning the basics prior to booking this adventure.
Alpine climbing is not for first-time rock climbers, but if you have some experience in scrambling and hiking, there are routes that you can successfully complete with the help of a guide. This course is meant to develop existing skills that will take your climbing to the next level. You will spend time on rock, snow, and ice terrain to round out the skill set with guides that have years and years of mountain experience to share with you.
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Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.
Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.
Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.
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All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:
- Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device and chalk bag
- Ropes
- Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.)
- 3 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners
- 2x5m 6mm prusik cord
- Alpine kit, crampons, harness, axe, and helmet (can be rented for $25.00 per day)
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- Fleece or wool hat
- Neck gaiter
- Face mask
- Lightweight and midweight gloves
- Hardshell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or equivalent)
- Lightweight wind shell
- Down or synthetic jacket with hood
- Long-sleeved base layer
- Long base layer pants (tights work well in the summer)
- Hardshell pants
- Softshell pants (wind-proof or wind-resistant)
- Leg gaiters (ankle to mid calf height works best in summer)
- Liner socks and wool socks
- Underwear
- Mountaineering boots that work with crampons (can be rented)
- Rock shoes (can be rented)
- Daypack large enough to carry all the items listed (around 40-55L)
- Sunglasses or a visor hat
- Headlamp
- Pillow, light and small
- Sleeping bag (3 season, -9 oC min)
- Car camping gear
- Ice axe (can be rented)
- Crampons (can be rented)
- Trekking poles
- Water bottle or hydration pack
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- Bowl, mug, and spork
- Pocket knife
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, blister kit, toilet paper, etc.)
- Pee bottle — optional
- Camera — optional
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All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
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- Ice axe, crampons, helmet and harness package from your guides for $25;
- Mountaineering boots and rock shoes from Gear Up.
All rentals can be found in Canmore. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
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Group sizes:
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- For this adventure, the standard client-to-guide ratio is 3:1. All pricing is per person.
- A minimum of 3 participants is required for the tour to run. If you’re interested in a solo or private tour, contact us to make arrangements.
Climbing days can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Age requirements:
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- Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this climbing adventure.
If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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To get to Jasper National Park, most people fly into Calgary International Airport. Once you get to Calgary, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service. It takes about 4.5 hours to reach Jasper, and just over 4 hours to reach Columbia Icefields.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the exact place to meet. The course typically begins at 8.30 on Saturday at the Icefields campground in Jasper National Park. From there you will head to your tour. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
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We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
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