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Canadian
Waterfall Ice 2011
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PHOTOS:
Ice climbing steep waterfall ice.
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FEEDBACK:
"Everyone in Canada seems so enthusiastic
about the ice! The Guides were friendly
and knew exactly where the ice falls were in the best condition"
William B, Glasgow, 2008
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| Course
Overview |
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Canada
is famous for every type of waterfall ice, from the mighty
Grade VI/ VII climbs of the Terminator Wall, to the impressive
curtain of the Weeping Wall of Icefields Parkway, to the
huge 300m long multi pitch Louise Falls, to the remote,
exciting climbs of Ghost River with Hydrophobia and the
Sorcerer. |
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This
course is aimed at quite strong ice climbers, who want
to push their grade and climb as much waterfall ice as
possible during a week. You should be happy seconding
Grade IV or V ice, leading experience is not necessary,
but there will be opportunities to try leading during
the week if you wish. |
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Whatever
your previous ice experience, the aim of this course is
also to teach you more skills and style points useful
in your own climbing. You
are also taught ropework techniques, crevasse rescue &
avalanche prediction. |
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Canada
offers huge impressive ice falls with little or no walk-ins.
You are led by an experienced and talented IFMGA Canadian
Mountain Guide, who drives you to all of the best sites
for the best conditions. |
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The
icefalls of Canada keep their condition longer in the
year than the Alpine waterfalls, giving a longer season. |
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This
course can be used as progression from the Chamonix based
Winter
Intro to Ice & Alpine
or the Waterfall
Ice & Alpine Gullies,
as this course is focused on technically demanding waterfall
ice & mixed climbing. |
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Dates: 6
- 12 March 2011, 13 - 19 March 2011.
Dates
for this course run on demand for groups of two people
between mid December and mid April. For
current availability on this course click
here. |
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The
course at a glance... |
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Week long Canadian winter ice course. Price £1099pp,
includes accommodation. |
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Grade III ice climbing experience necessary. Avalanche
safety kit is included. |
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Top tip... for beginners to ice climbing, look at the
Winter
Intro Ice & Alpine
at £799. |
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You could also consider week long... Val
de Cogne / La Grave or
Norway
Ice Climbs |
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Brief
Course Itinerary |
| Sun |
Travel
to Calgary, where your Guide will meet you at the airport.
You are driven to Canmore where you stay for the night.
There will be an evening briefing on the latest conditions,
and time to check and prepare your equipment. Night in
a local hotel / lodge in Canmore on a B&B basis. |
Mon
- Fri |
The
Guiding ratio is at one Guide to each two clients for
the five climbing days so that you can achieve the most
during your week of Canadian ice climbing. Each night
is spent in local comfy hotels or lodges on a B&B
basis, and your Guide wil advise on the best places to
eat out and get provisions.
The conditions for the last few years have been brilliant
at this time of year, and there are literally hundreds
of climbs to choose from. You are either driven each day
to the area with the best conditions, or, if you fins
an area you enjoy, you can be bases for a couple of days
in one area to get the most climbing done.
Some famous regions and routes include the sunny Cascade
Falls below Banff, the long 200m or 300m Grade IV / V
multi-pitch climbs in Lake Louise or the 200km long curtain
of the Weeping Wall in Icefields Parkway with the infamous
Polar Circus climb. If you run out of climbs in these
areas there is also the more remote area of Ghost River,
accessed by 4x4, with the easy but incredible House of
Sky, and the wild, remote climbing of Hydrophobia or the
Sorcerer. And if you want the ultimate challenge there
is the huge, imposing Terminator Wall above Canmore with
its range of Grade VI or Grade VII offerrings.
After you finish climbing on the Friday evening, you return
to Calgary for the Friday night and a celebratory end
of course meal. Night a
local hotel / lodge on a B&B basis. |
| Sat |
You
have time for some sightseeing around Canmore or Calgary
for the day, before leaving to return to the airport for
your return flight. You can schedule your return flight
for any time you wish on the Saturday. |
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| ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain
adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly
we are forced to alter the plans. If this is the case,
suitable alternatives are offered. Please use this outline
itinerary as a guide to the types of route / activity
that you will attempt. |
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course
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5
days guiding, 7 days holiday in total |
£1099 |
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Premium
course
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7
days guiding, 8 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK |
n/a |
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) Five days guiding by IFMGA
Mountain Guide, 2) Six nights B&B accommodation in Canada
(including bedding and towels), 3) Pre course information booklet,
4) Equipment discount voucher for UK kit shops, 5) Free 36 page
technical Course Instruction Booklet, 7) Road transport in Canada
to / from the Calgary airport and around the region to access
the ice falls in best condition. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Calgary (Canada), 2) Transport outside
Canada, 3) Equipment hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone calls,
lunches, evening meals, & any purchases in mountain huts
/ hotels / restaurants, 5) Activities insurance, & excess
baggage charges. |
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| Notes:
The
loan of all avalanche safety kit is included (avalanche tranceiver,
avalanche probe and shovel). |
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