This camp is designed for confident day hikers looking to advance their skills to lead multiday adventures in the backcountry.
If you have comfortably completed at least several day-hikes above treeline similar to Ha Ling, Lady MacDonald (to the heli-pad), and Grotto Mountain, then this course is for you.
Before registering, please review our Trip Waivers and Liability, and Cancellation Policies.
Camps are subject to minimum enrollment in order to run.
Through this course, you will spend four days random camping in the awestriking Kananaskis backcountry. Your course will be run by two ACMG Hiking Guides who have designed a curriculum specific female identifying and non-binary recreators who are looking to bring their backcountry hiking skills to greater heights and gain confidence in their ability to lead others on multiday excursions. Be prepared to carry ~40 lbs, for a maximum of 10 km in a day. The route will include sections above treeline and across scree, and most travel will take place off-traill.
This program welcome cisgender women and transgender, agender, Two Spirit, non-binary, intersex, and genderqueer participants.
Throughout this course, you can expect to learn the following skills.
Meet your group for breakfast in Bragg Creek for a safety briefing 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 be spent exploring the front ranges of the Elbow Sheep Wildland and working on expanding leadership skills under the guidance of Bree and Meaghan. On Day 3, the group will try for a summit then head back to basecamp for the final night.
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 will be provided. The ACC will provide all fuel and stoves for cooking to make sure the group doesn’t carry in too much extra supplies.
Accommodation for this trip will be tent-based. If you do not have access to a backpacking tent, we have 2 three-person tents and 3 two-person tents that we can lend to participants. Please note that these 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!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.
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
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.
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.
