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This camp is designed for novice multi-day hikers or strong day hikers.
While not there is nothing too technical about this traverse, it definitely warrants some prior experience in the backcountry. With ten back-to-back days of hiking and navigating scree slope’s, you should be an experienced hiker and have a pretty good fitness level going into the camp. We definitely recommend that you do a few hikes during the leading up to this camp, unless you’re looking for a grueling start to your season.
Please note that there should be four to five hours of hiking each day with approximately 8 to 10 km distance to travel. Some days there will be no elevation gain and our biggest day will be 750m. This traverse has been designed to provide lots of time to enjoy the landscape.
Before registering, please review our Trip Waivers and Liability, and Cancellation Policies.
Camps are subject to minimum enrollment in order to run.
The Dogtooth Range parallels the Columbia River to the east and is bordered by the Spillimacheen and Beaver rivers to the west. Although there are no built trails, the whole trip takes place above treeline on broad ridges and through endless alpine meadows. Ninety percent of this hike is along game trails, so the opportunities for wildlife sightings are likely.
Spending 5 days trekking across this stunning range is sure to be the experience of your summer. With a trail this popular, a full itinerary will be provided to participants on registration for the course so you can enjoy the hidden gems of the Purcells in peace. The group will travel about 30 km with 3000 m of elevation change (~6-8 km and 600-700 m elevation gain per day). While all meals are provided on this trip, you are responsible for carrying it with you.
This camp is guided by Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) certified Hiking guides. Our maximum 8:1 guiding ratio will ensure that everyone gets the support they need to undertake this impressive trek.
The ACC hires guides certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). Visit the ACMG website to learn more about what they do!
*Guiding Staff for a trip sometimes have to be swapped out due to unavoidable circumstances. In this event ACC staff with contact you as soon as possible to update you on any changes to trip staffing
Meet your group at the tentative location of Bluebird Cafe in Golden, BC, to go over food distribution then convoy to the trailhead. Once at the trailhead, your guides will brief you on a few more things, such as bear spray use, Leave No Trace principles, and to help you adjust your pack before departure.
Once on the trail, the group will begin ascending towards the ridge, leaving civilization behind by going through forests and along creeks to reach an alpine basin for the night.
All other days will follow the spine of the ridge, enjoying continuous views of the Bugaboos and Vowells to the West, and the Rockies to the East. At times, the group will drop through forests into open meadows, camping by creeks or small alpine lakes and going back up to the ridge for ease of walk and beautiful views.
Example daily timeline:
All meals will be provided by PeakEats based in Canmore, AB. You will need to pack your own bowl, mug, utensils, and favourite adventure treats (if you want). While food is provided on this trip, you will be responsible for carrying it with you. Everyone is expected to help with cooking and clean up for the meals.
Since the group may camp in sparsely treed areas, we also have bear-proof food bags that can be borrowed as well. The ACC will provide all fuel and stoves for cooking to make sure the group doesn’t carrying in too much extra supplies.
The Dogtooth Range will be hosting your accommodation this trip. If you do not have access to a backpacking tent, we have 5 three-person tents that we can lend to participants. Please not that theses are regular length tents, so they may be a little short for taller folks and are not ideal for this type of trip as they are a basecamp tent. Contact the Mountain Adventures Coordinator if you would like to borrow one.
We will not be setting up tent partners for this trip. However, if you have concerns about the sleeping arrangements please let us know.
If you don't have everything on the gear list and aren't ready to invest in your own, there are many awesome local businesses that rent out all of the equipment you will need. Be sure to reserve your rentals ahead of time to make sure everything you need is available for you when you need it.
Coming from the Bow Valley? Check out Gear Up in Canmore. ACC members get 10% off all gear rentals!Cornices and crevasses. Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps. Cliffs, creeks, rocks and boulders. Holes and depressions below the snow surface. Variable and difficult snow conditions. Snowcat roads and road ranks. Fences and other man-made structures. Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects. Encounters with domestic or wild animals. Loss of balance or control. Becoming lost or separated from the group. Slips, trips, and falls.
Mitigated by Trained and experienced Guide.
The use of Radios.
Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor. Equipment failure. Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Negligence of other persons, including other guests. Negligent first aid. Negligence of the guide Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities
Developed safety plans and procedures with decades of experience managing risk.
Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available. Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field. If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow.
First Aid / Rescue Training.
Satellite Communications
We appreciate that the lands known today as Canada are home to the enduring presence of all First Nations and Métis people, and the Inuit and we acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of these Nations who continue to lead us in stewarding this land, as well as honour their knowledge and cultural ties to this place. The Alpine Club of Canada’s head office is located in the traditional lands of Treaty 7, which is comprised of the Stoney Nakoda Nations of Wesley, Chiniki, and Bearspaw; three Nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy: the Piikani, Kainai, and Siksika; the Mountain Cree; and the Tsuu T’ina of the Dene people. This territory is also shared with the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. Before the signing of Treaty 7, and prior to the establishment of provincial boundaries, this region was also used by the Ktunaxa and the Maskwacis people.
General Inquiries
Phone: 403-678-3200
Email: [email protected]
201 Indian Flats Rd.
PO Box 8040 Main St, Canmore, AB, T1W 2T8, Canada
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
The Alpine Club of Canada is a registered Amateur Athletic Association and a registered Canadian charity (Registration No: 10670 4182 RR0001). The ACC’s US ACC Foundation can accept charitable donations from donors living in the United States. We will issue a charitable tax receipt for eligible donations of $20 or more.
