Hatteras General Mountaineering Camp Art & Science Week

Explore the Hatteras Group with us!

Hatteras General Mountaineering Camp Art & Science Week

Explore the Hatteras Group with us!

A guided mountaineering experience for all levels

Helicopter access to remote alpine peaks

Skill-building, art, science, and adventure

Gourmet meals and a supportive community

Trip Description

Join a tradition of mountain exploration

Each year, participants in the General Mountaineering Camp are flown by helicopter to a remote alpine location with a well-equipped base camp. There, they have the chance to learn new mountaineering skills, explore secluded alpine areas, and experience a unique, modern-day mountain adventure.

All our camp equipment, food, participants’ personal gear, and climbing equipment will be flown in by helicopter. During camp, all outings are under the supervision of ACMG-certified guides who will lead hikes and climbs, and provide instruction in all aspects of mountain craft. Your weekly attendance fee will cover the flight in and out, tent accommodation, guiding and instruction, sumptuous meals, and group climbing gear.

There will be refresher courses offered on glacier travel, alpine snow, and rock climbing. The GMC is designed for all skill levels, from novice to expert. It is an excellent place to learn or refresh your mountaineering skills, or strive for larger objectives. Whether you are looking to explore a remote area, hope to stand on your first mountain, or to bag all the peaks, the GMC is your epic ‘summer camp in the mountains’.

The final week of the Alpine Club of Canada’s General Mountaineering Camp is dedicated to those looking to explore the intersection of creativity, science, and adventure. This special Art and Science Week is designed for mountaineers with a passion for artistic expression and scientific curiosity, with a particular focus on glacier landscapes. Whether you’re sketching alpenglow or sampling meltwater, this week promises a unique blend of inspiration and discovery in the heart of the mountains. This week will have:
  • An artist-in-residence on hand to guide and advise you with your artwork
  • A scientist-in-residence specializing in cold region hydrology to offer insights about the glaciers of the Canadian Rockies.

Location

The most interesting climbing in the northernmost Purcells

The Hatteras Range is located in the Purcell Mountains of southern British Columbia. This area of the Purcells is comprised of both alpine granite and metamorphic layers of phyllite and quartzite, making for “the most interesting climbing in the northermost Purcells”. The camp will be situated near a glacial tarn below the east ridge of Sugarplum Spire at approximately 2,135m. The location will give us quick access to several glaciers and beautiful peaks, excellent ridge traverse excursions and rock climbing, as well as hikes to alpine lakes and meadows. This is truly an alpine explorer’s paradise.

We appreciate that the lands known today as Canada are home to the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples 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 Hatteras Group is located on the Traditional Lands of the Secwepemc, Stoney, Ktunaxa, and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

The Campsite

Where comfort meets exploration

The Hatteras camp will enjoy all the standard facilities of the ACC’s GMC basecamp. The infrastructure of the camp will include helicopter access, sleeping tents (1 or 2 person tent), dining and drying tents, outhouses and hot showers.

Food is always a highlight at the GMC. All meals are made from scratch on-site each day by our staff with fresh ingredients. We set up a full backcountry kitchen, complete with ovens, a BBQ, and three experienced chefs to prepare and serve your meals. We fly in and prepare fresh food from scratch – there’s never any dehydrated backpacking meals at the GMC!

In camp, there will be a camp manager, four fully certified guides, two apprentice guides and three volunteer leaders. There will be three cooks and three camp volunteers to assist you during your week. There will also be a camp doctor on site.

About Your Week

Tailored adventures for every skill level

The day’s objectives will vary for the different teams. Objectives for longer days will include climbing peaks, traversing ridges and other mountaineering routes.

Shorter days will include rock school, glacier skills days, and hiking days. The daily curriculum will be tailored to participants’ skills and goals.

All outings from camp will be under the direction of the guides. Many factors, including the weather, will determine how the days will play out. The focus of each day is fun, learning and exploration in the mountains.
Day one
We will meet early in the morning* at the Alpine Helicopters hangar in Golden, BC, before driving to the helicopter staging area. You and your gear will then be flown into the Hatteras basecamp. Upon arrival, you’ll be oriented to the camp and assigned a tent by the Camp manager. You’ll also have the change to meet some of the guides and to go on a short hike to explore the area close to camp. *Meeting time will be confirmed in pre-trip email
Day two onward (a typical day)
  • 4:00am early wake up horn for longer days
  • 4:30am early breakfast is served
  • 5:00am teams leave camp for longer days
  • 6:00am general wake-up call
  • 6:30am breakfast is served
  • 7:00am teams leave camp for shorter days
  • 2:00-4:00pm teams arrive back at camp
  • 2:00-6:00pm free time for swimming, showers, tea, etc. The choice of objectives for the next day is posted
  • 6:00pm supper is served
  • 7:30pm lunch building and preparations for the next day
Final day
After a final breakfast together, participants will have time to pack, take final photos, and say goodbye before the flight out. The helicopter is scheduled to land at camp around 11:00am for return flights to the staging area. By approximately 3:00pm, participants will be back in Golden.

Guides & Staff

Our ACMG-certified alpine or full mountain guides will lead groups on different alpine objectives. For technical outings, there will be a minimum of 1:4 leader-to-participant ratio to allow for smaller rope teams and greater flexibility.
christian-schlumpf
Christian Schlumpf
Christian is an ACMG Mountain Guide and lives in Golden, BC. In a former life he worked as an engineer...
fred-amyot
Fred Amyot
Frederick Amyot is an ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide. Fred guides year-round in many different countries:...
teresa-yau
Teresa Yau
Teresa Yau is an Ski Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide and is currently pursuing the ACMG Mountain Guide...
Darek Glowacki
Derek Glowacki
I have been guiding both in summer and winter for over 20 years.  Starting out guiding river paddling...
artist image1_Jamie Kroeger copy
Jamie Kroeger - Artist
Jamie Kroeger is a multidisciplinary artist that explores the relationships that exist within, andbecause...
May Guan Bio (2)
May Guan - Cold Regions Hydrologist
May Guan is a cold regions hydrologist and has conducted research in the Canadian High Arctic and Subarctic,...
thumbnail_Shane Kroeger_ACC Shot
Shane Kroeger
Shane Kroeger is an ACMG Ski and Apprentice Alpine Guide based in Golden, British Columbia. Shane has...
christian-schlumpf
Christian Schlumpf
Christian is an ACMG Mountain Guide and lives in Golden, BC....
Learn More
fred-amyot
Fred Amyot
Frederick Amyot is an ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide. Fred guides...
Learn More
teresa-yau
Teresa Yau
Teresa Yau is an Ski Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide and is...
Learn More
Darek Glowacki
Derek Glowacki
I have been guiding both in summer and winter for over 20 years. ...
Learn More
artist image1_Jamie Kroeger copy
Jamie Kroeger - Artist
Jamie Kroeger is a multidisciplinary artist that explores the...
Learn More
May Guan Bio (2)
May Guan - Cold Regions Hydrologist
May Guan is a cold regions hydrologist and has conducted research...
Learn More
thumbnail_Shane Kroeger_ACC Shot
Shane Kroeger
Shane Kroeger is an ACMG Ski and Apprentice Alpine Guide based...
Learn More

We sell Tugo® Travel Insurance suitable for both ACC Adventures and personal trips

Mountain Hardwear sponsors the ACC's General Mountaineering Camp. We thank them for their support.

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Details

* Camps are subject to minimum enrollment in order to run.

Mountain Hardwear sponsors the ACC's General Mountaineering Camp. We thank them for their support.

Adventure Hazards

Terrain

Risks include but are not limited to: ​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. 

General Hazards

Risks include but are not limited to: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

Rockfall and Icefall

Risks include but are not limited to:Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking) 

Falls and Belaying

Risks include but are not limited to:Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground which can lead to injury or death. The risk of a belay failure is also present which can contribute to a ground fall.

Communication and Rescue

Risks include but are not limited to: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.

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