The GMC is open to all! 16 years of age or older, novice to expert, intrepid or laid back. The large camp size (typically 31 participants, 6 guides and 3 volunteer leaders each week) allows for different groups to target a wide ranges of objectives. Each day you get to decide which group you’d like to join depending on your ability, fitness and desired length of day.
Whether you’re looking to summit your first mountain, or bag all the peaks, GMC is your summer camp in the mountains.
Before registering, please review our Trip Waivers and Liability, and Cancellation Policies.
Camps are subject to minimum enrollment in order to run.
The ACC’s annual General Mountaineering Camp (GMC) has been a Canadian mountaineering staple since 1906. The event is a series of week-long camps, with daily guided outings that are tailored to your ability and interests. Each summer, we venture into a different remote location to offer exceptional modern-day mountain exploration, with each route a unique and unforgettable experience.
The final week of the ACC’s General Mountaineering Camp is focused on those seeking to push their creative and mountaineering boundaries. This camp is tailored to those with a passion for the arts and sciences, with a special focus on glaciers.
Our purpose-built base camp allows you to focus on learning skills, making friends, expressing your creativity and getting curious. We provide a tailored experience to each participant’s skills and objectives. Let our guides, artist, scientist-in-residence, and our talented volunteer leaders help you explore the mountains and your creative practice at your pace.
The GMC takes place in a new location each year. Helicopter access grants us the privilege of exploring an area that would take days of heavy hiking to access. Sites are chosen for their access to snow, rock, and mountain objectives, along with their beauty, remoteness, and historical significance, and the Hatteras Group is no different.
In the case of Hatteras GMC for 2025, it is a location we have held the GMC before. The GMC has been visiting the Northern Purcells/ Bugaboos area since 1946, and with climbing like this you’ll see why it’s been hard to stay away! Over the years as the Bugaboos have become more developed and accessible, we have been moving the camp slowly northwest along the glaciers, last visiting the nearby area at the Vowel Glacier in 2008. We can’t wait to show you to some of our favourite peaks!
This area of the Purcells is comprised of both alpine granite and metamorphic layers of phyllite and quartzite. The climbing is described as “some of the most interesting in the northernmost Purcells” by Robert Kruszyna and William L. Putman in their 1997 guidebook of the area. The long ridge lines between peaks allow for some breathtaking traverses as you navigate the complex series of glaciers in the area.
Whether you seek remote alpine summits, gourmet chef-prepared meals at 2,100 metres, or the camaraderie of like-minded individuals, the GMC offers it all. We are expecting high demand for the Hatteras camp this year.
If you’d like to use our basecamp to explore the area without guides, check out our Independent Camp .
Note: all of our weeks involve two travel days where guests flying in overlap with those flying out.
Our ACMG certified alpine or full mountain guides will help to orientate you at the camp. Each day they will also be leading different groups to different alpine objectives. Our guides will be welcome to answering questions about the region as well as everything from crampon technique to gear recommendations.
As of 2025, we added an additional alpine guide to each week of the GMC. Along with full guides and ACC volunteer leaders, this means that participants can expect to be in small groups of 3-5 people all day which adds to the enjoyment of the experience and ensures participants can travel at a pace which is right for them and interact closely with their guides.
Our full guiding roster will be listed above as each guide is confirmed.
Each evening at camp, a wide range of objectives are offered for the following day, ranging from casual hikes to rock and ice skills sessions, longer mountaineering days on glaciers, ridges and peaks. You are in control of the length and difficulty of every day of your GMC and if you need some help deciding what to do, our amazing staff are there for you.
Our heli-accessed basecamp will be located at 2,100 metres in the Hatteras Group, located at the bottom of the east face of Sugarplum Spire. This central location provides access to a large variety of peaks and challenges for mountaineers of all abilities. Some of the classics of the area are listed below:
Keep in mind that once in camp, your GMC experience will be tailored specifically to you. Each day, you decide which hike or climb or learning session you’d love to take part in. The area provides a perfect setting for our ice, snow and rock schools giving you lots of options to develop the skills you want to work on.
Beyond the climbing, the Hatteras area offers extensive waterfalls, meadows, forests, boulder fields and alpine lakes to explore.
Evenings will be spent enjoying great food, socializing in the dining or tea tents and resting for the next day’s climbing. All our food is prepared by a dedicated team of chefs in a dedicated cooking tent. And all ingredients are flown in fresh each week meaning you’ll be treated to meat, fruit and vegetables (not to mention some killer desserts) through the week, no dehydrated stuff here! Have you even had a turkey dinner above 2,000 metres?
During the course of the camp you’ll be assigned a Mountain Hardwear Trango tent with a companion of your choice or a fellow guest. The tents are large (3 or 4 person) so there is plenty of space for both of you and your gear. If you prefer your own personal tent, this is also an option although we do charge an extra fee of $200 for this as tents are limited.
As well as your sleeping tent, there is a communal dining tent, drying tent and tea tent to hang out with your fellow participants. The camp also has two specially prepared outhouses for guests as well as two private showers (now with hot water!)
If you don't own everything on the gear list and aren't ready to invest in new gear, there are many local businesses that rent the equipment you will need. Be sure to reserve your rentals ahead of time to ensure everything is available for you when you need it.
Coming from the Bow Valley? Check out Gear Up in Canmore where ACC members receive 10% off gear rentals!This area of the Purcells is comprised of both alpine granite and metamorphic layers of phyllite and quartzite. The climbing is described as “some of the most interesting in the northernmost Purcells” by Robert Kruszyna and William L. Putman in their 1997 guidebook of the area. The long ridge lines between peaks allow for some breathtaking traverses as you navigate the complex series of glaciers in the area.
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.
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.
Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking)
Mitigated with certified and experienced guides, Helmets
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.
Reviewing best practices with the guide.
Equipment checks
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 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.
