Trip Description top of page The trip up to Mt. Athabasca is a custom trip designed to give participants the chance to climb an immense frozen peak that is blanketed in ice and snow. It is one of the 54 11000 foot peaks (over 3352 meters) and its peak stands 5200 feet above the picturesque Trans Canada Highway. There are numerous routes up the peak and many of them aren't technically too difficult for the intermediate climber. Some of the lines that stand out: 1. The North Glacier (Normal Route) Grade II 2. The North Face or North Face Bypass ( which links the North Face and the North Ridge ) III 3. The Silverhorn III or alternatively 4. Mt. Andromeda Normal Route II The emphasis of the trip is to spend a long weekend learning new skills, sharpening and / or reviewing skills you've learned in the past or just climbing all weekend and dialing small details in the campground. An ascent of most any of the routes on Mt. Athabasca will require an 'alpine start'. This means we wake up quite early in order to take advantage of the freeze overnight, climb the route while the snow and ice is nice to travel on and the slot bridges are still stiff and the rocks stay in place.
Trip Itinerary top of page Drive to Columbia Icefields either Thursday or Friday morning and set up camp at the Icefield's Campground. Day 1: Skills and mountaincraft lessons or review depending on experience level of participants. Day 2: Climb a lesser objective (Mt. Hilda, Boundary Peak etc) to put skills to use and get up some or continue learning more skills. Day 3: Climb Athabasca. Drive back to the Bow Valley or elsewhere.
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Equipment List top of page You Supply: - Helmet Any additional equipment can be purchased at fine Mountaineering Shops in the Bow Valley like Vertical Addiction in Canmore or Wilson's Sports in Lake Louise. Equipment can also be rented at Gear Up Sports in Canmore. Food Logistics top of this page Food for the trip is provided if you wish or price can be adjusted for participants to sort out food on their own. Accommodation Logistics top of this page Icefields Campground while climbing. Any additional accommodation can be arranged while Canmore at the beginning or end of the trip. We have affiliations with a number of price point options for the Bow Valley including the Hostel Bear or the Alpine Club of Canada for the budget oriented folks. IGB has associations with the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge (middle of the road) and with Blackstone for the full luxury resort option. Transportation Logistics top of this page Guests normally provide transportation, however alternative options can be arranged. Enterprise Car Rentals are IGB's preferred car rental partners.
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