Hatteras General Mountaineering Camp Week 3

Explore the Hatteras Group with us!

Hatteras General Mountaineering Camp Week 3

Explore the Hatteras Group with us!

A mountaineering experience tailored for you

Connection to the ACC community and unforgettable memories

Purpose-built basecamp accessed by helicopter

Sumptuous meals prepared by on-site cooks

Is This Camp For You?

All Abilities!

The GMC is open to all: 16+ years of age, novice to expert, intrepid, or laid-back. The large camp size (typically 31 participants, 6 guides and 5 volunteer leaders each week) allows for different groups to target a wide range of objectives. Each day you decide which group you’d like to join depending on your ability, fitness, and desired length of day.

Whether you hope to stand on your first mountain, or to bag a dozen peaks, the GMC is your epic “summer camp in the mountains.”

Open

Details

Before registering, please review our Trip Waivers and Liability, and Cancellation Policies.

Camps are subject to minimum enrollment in order to run.

Need help?

Trip Description

Join a tradition of mountain exploration

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 GMC is about camping and climbing, but its also about photography, art, star-gazing, swimming in frigid alpine lakes, eating great good and sharing the mountains with friends old and new. We provide a tailored experience to each participant’s skills and objectives. Let our guides and talented volunteer leaders help you explore the mountains at your pace.

Welcome to Hatteras!

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 1,800 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’re an artist, check out our dedicated week designed just for you.

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.

glacier alpine ridge Mummery

Guides

Guide Selection Pending

Guides for this trip are still being confirmed.

Our ACMG-certified alpine or full mountain guides will help to orient you at camp. Each day they will lead groups on different alpine objectives. Guides will be available and happy to answer any questions you may have about the region and anything from crampon technique to gear recommendations.

For the 2025 GMC, we’ve added an additional alpine guide to each week. The combination of guides and ACC volunteer leaders means participants can expect to be in small groups of 3-5 people all day, adding to the enjoyment of the experience through closer interaction with your guides, and ensuring you are able to travel at a pace that is right for you.

Our full guiding roster will be listed above as each guide is confirmed.

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

Objectives

Each evening at camp, a wide range of objectives are offered for the following day. These range from casual hikes to rock and ice skills sessions to longer mountaineering days on glaciers, ridges, and peaks. You are in control of the length and difficulty of each day of your GMC experience and if you need some assistance deciding what to do, our amazing staff will be there to help.

Our helicopter-accessed basecamp will be located at 2,100 metres in the Hatteras Range, located at the bottom of the east face of Sugarplum Spire. This central location provides access to a wide variety of peaks and challenges for mountaineers of all abilities. Some of the classics of the area are listed below:

  • Snowman Peak (2,728m)
  • Krinkletop Mtn (2,789m)
  • Mt. Hatteras (2,941m) — most prominent peak in the area
  • Sugarplum Spire (2,941m)
  • Pirouette Pinnacles (2,713m)
  • and more!

Keep in mind that once at camp, your GMC experience will be tailored specifically to you. Each day, you decide which hike or climb or learning session you’d most like to take part in. The area provides a perfect setting for our ice, snow, and rock schools, with lots of options to develop your preferred skills.

Beyond climbing, the Hatteras area offers extensive waterfalls, meadows, forests, boulder fields, and alpine lakes to explore.

Day-by-Day Adventure Itinerary

Day 1
Meet early in the morning at the Alpine Helicopters hangar in Golden, BC, then convoy to the helicopter staging area. You and your gear will then be flown into the remote basecamp. Upon arrival, you’ll be introduced and oriented to the camp by our Camp Manager and you will be assigned a tent. You’ll also have the chance to meet some of the guides and to go on a short hike to explore the immediate area.
Day 2-7 (a typical day)
  • 4:30 am: Early breakfast is served
  • 5:00 am: Rope teams leave camp for longer days and bigger objectives
  • 6:00 am: General wake-up call
  • 6:30 am: General breakfast is served
  • 7:00 am: More rope teams leave camp for shorter days, hiking, cragging etc.
  • Through the day: in the field you will likely spend the day in a group with a guide and volunteer leaders. Ratios will vary depending to your chosen objective. Objectives may include prominent peaks in the area, nearby peaks and ridges, or a tailored curriculum to fine-tune your knowledge and skills. Approaches to climbs may be lengthy with significant elevation gain, and will likely involve roped glacier travel. Many factors (including weather) will determine your group’s success in reaching the summit. All-in-all the focus of the day is to have fun!
  • 2:00-4:00 pm: Rope teams arrive back at camp
  • 2:00-6:00 pm: Free time (showers, tea time, etc.), and the choice of objectives for the next day is posted
  • 6:00 pm: Supper is served
  • 7:30 pm: Grab your lunch and make any final preparations for the next day
Day 8
After a final breakfast, photos, and goodbyes, you will fly back to the staging area via helicopter.

Food, Accommodation and Rentals

Food

Have you ever had a turkey dinner above 2,000 metres? Evenings will be spent enjoying great food, socializing in the dining or tea tents, and resetting for the next day’s climb. All of our food is prepared by a team of cooks in a dedicated kitchen tent. Ingredients are flown in fresh each week which means you’ll be treated to meat, fruit, and vegetables (not to mention some killer desserts) throughout the week — no dehydrated dinners here!

Accommodation

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 option, as tents are limited.

There is a communal dining tent, a drying tent, and a tea tent to hang out in with your fellow participants. The camp also has two specially-prepared outhouses for guests as well as two private showers (NOW with hot water!)

Rentals

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!

Included

  • Return helicopter flights
  • 6 days of guiding and instruction by ACMG-certified guides supported by ACC volunteer leaders
  • Full basecamp setup including tent accommodation, kitchen, communal tents, outhouses, warm showers, garbage removal, etc
  • Meals prepared by a dedicated team of camp cooks (from dinner on day 1 to lunch on the last day)
  • All group gear including ropes, group first aid kit, emergency communication devices, etc

Not Included

  • Transportation between the meeting area in Golden, BC and the staging area (a shuttle bus is available for an additional fee)
  • Personal gear

Location

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.

Adventure Hazards

Terrain

What are the Risks?

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. 

Hazard Mitigation

Mitigated by Trained and experienced Guide.

The use of Radios. 

General Hazards

What are the Risks?

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

Hazard Mitigation

Developed safety plans and procedures with decades of experience managing risk. 

Rockfall and Icefall

What are the Risks?

Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking) 

Hazard Mitigation

Mitigated with certified and experienced guides, Helmets 

Falls and Belaying

What are the Risks?

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.

Hazard Mitigation

Reviewing best practices with the guide.

Equipment checks

Communication and Rescue

What are the Risks?

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.

Hazard Mitigation

First Aid / Rescue Training.

Satellite Communications

Additional Adventure Resources

The area is described best in Climbers Guide to the Interior Ranges of British Columbia (South) by Robert Krusyna and William L. Putnam (1977).

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

You May Also Be Interested In

Additional ski week availability on a per bed basis at Bill Putnam (Fairy Meadow) and Kokanee Glacier Cabin just released for the 24/25 season!

X