Agenda

Small group sizes allow us to customize the instruction to meet the needs of all participants but this is the typical outline:

Day 1 – After a morning session covering glacier features, hazards, knots and gear, we will begin learning crevasse rescue skills.  The rescue system we learn has an emphasis on simplicity and efficiency and we will spend most of the day practicing these skills. Other topics covered will include use of mountaineering axes, snow anchors, glissading and self-arrest.
Participants usually camp at the Columbia Icefields Campground but there are also nearby hotels, hostels and other campgrounds.

Day 2 – After an earlier start (usually around 7:00am) the day will be spent traveling on a glacier. We will learn how to use the rope appropriately, build ice anchors, avoid crevasses and use crampons on a variety of terrain.  There will be an ongoing discussion throughout the day on route finding, hazard management and other related topics.  During the day everyone will be active participants in all elements of traveling up and down the glacier.  Typically we finish up around 4:00pm.