Youth Summer Camp
Rock & Ice – Canadian Rockies

The camp is a combination of 2 days of rock climbing, and a 3-day overnight trek on the Wapta Icefield.  The first two days are from 9AM to 5PM. We start and end at a trail head or at a meeting point in Canmore within a 15 minutes driving distance. We can provide group transport for an added price, or they can organize their transport to trailheads themselves. On some days, we may venture a bit further away from town which could be as far as the Goat Creek or Mt. Yamnuska trailheads. We adjust our daily programs to the weather, group preferences, skill and fitness levels and depending on weather and location chosen, we may end our day with a dip at Quarry or Grotto Lakes or in one of the creeks after our hike or climbs.

For our Wapta Glacier Traverse we will head up to the Bow Hut on Wednesday, traverse to the Peyto Hut on Thursday, and descent back to the Bow Valley on Friday afternoon.

Skills and Content Covered during the Camp:
– Risk management and trip planning for hiking, scrambling and rock climbing
– Movement skills and efficiency for rock climbing, scrambling, and glacier travel
– Rope handling, belaying techniques, lowering and repelling, knots, basic self-rescue / crevasse rescue
– Navigation, GPS mapping, use of conventional maps, compass and altimeter
– Wildlife and Leave-no-Trace basics

Rock Climbing Sites:
Grassi Lakes (8 min drive from downtown Canmore)
Cougar Creek (5 min drive from downtown Canmore)
The Fazerland (12 min drive from Canmore)
Grotto Canyon (15 Min from Canmore)
Yamnuska Bluffs (20 min drive from Canmore)
Heart Creek (15 min from Canmore)
Zy Goat (12 min from Canmore)
Sunshine Bluffs (20 min from Canmore)

We also have access to other less known sites and objectives that offer relative solitude in the Bow Valley.

Wapta Glacier Trek:
– 2 nights in mountain huts (Bow Hut and Peyto Hut)
– Peak bagging opportunities: Mt Rhondda North, Mt Thompson, Mt Rhondda South
– Glacier Travel skills

Phones / Use of Electronic Devices

The distractions of electronic devices and outdoor adventures and education don’t go well together. We would be happier if participants left their smart phones at home, but we accept their use during the day for taking photos, videos, navigating and mapping or calling parents if need be. We reserve the right to ask participants to leave their phones at home, if we notice habitual use such as gaming, social media or chatting apps.

Recommended accommodation in Canmore, AB:

If you require accomodation in Canmore or Banff, we can gladly give you a hand with your booking in light of your preferred lodging standard, price level and location in town, may it be in a hotel or air b&B.

• Coast Hotel
• Basecamp
• Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge
• Georgetown Inn

Day Hiking Equipment List as downloadable .PDF

Considerations

Packing for a hiking trip is a balancing act. You want your pack to be as light as possible so you can enjoy the hike instead of just suffering through it. But you also need to have enough gear to be warm (or cool), comfortable, and well-fed and watered. When buying, renting, or borrowing gear for the trip, please keep weight, performance, and function in mind. 

Hiking / Climbing / Scrambling Equipment

 Day hiking backpack (30-40 litres). Needs to be large enough for climbing shoes, harness and helmet. Some group gear like ropes may need to be shared among participants
 Rain cover specific to your pack (optional)
 Sturdy approach shoe or light trekking boot with a fairly stiff sole for walking over rocky terrain
 Lightweight shoes or Crocs for river crossings, if one is planned
 Collapsible, lightweight hiking poles (optional)
 Technical equipment like climbing shoes, harness, belay device, helmet. Bring your own if you have it, otherwise we will have those items for you to use.

Clothing

Temperatures in the Canadian Rockies vary hugely even in the summer months. Between June and September, temperatures can range from lows of 0°C overnight to +15°C during the day, or from +15°C overnight to +30°C during the day. Somewhere in between is normal and having several clothing layering options is important. Bring light, technical clothing that doesn’t take much space in your backpack and dries quickly when sweaty or wet.

 Waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or similar)
 Lightweight wind and water-resistant over-pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
 Lightweight hiking pants or zip-offs (no cotton pants or jeans)
 Comfortable, synthetic shorts (unless you have zip-off pants)
 Thick fleece or wool pullover, or PrimaLoft jacket
 Medium weight fleece shirt
 Thin, synthetic or wool base layers, top and bottoms
 Synthetic or wool t-shirt
 Lightweight gloves for colder weather days
 Good quality hiking socks (synthetic or wool)
 Warm hat that covers your ears if temps are forecasted to be cold
 Light, summer gaiters (if necessary, usually only early season)
 Sun hat, preferably with a wide rim
 Bandana or Buff (optional)

Other items

 Lunch and snacks (eg. sandwiches, candy bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc.)
 Sunglasses with high UV protection
 Sunscreen and lip protection with high SPF
 Bear spray and holster (optional, guides will carry one)
 Small umbrella (for rainy days, optional)
 Small container bug spray or cream
 Water bottle or water bladder, allow more than 1 liter on hot days
 Headlamp with spare battery (optional)
 Small Personal first aid kit and other needs (eg. blister kit, prescription medicine, anti-inflammatory, contact lenses, prescription glasses, etc.)
 Pocket knife (optional)
 Light stuff sacs or Ziploc bags to keep your backpack organized and important items dry (optional)
 A lightweight garbage bag for extra waterproofing (optional)
 Camera, spare batteries (optional)
 Compass, maps, GPS (optional)
 Personal amount of toilet paper in a Ziploc bag
 Hand sanitizer or sanitary hand wipes
 Feminine hygiene supplies
 Comfortable clothing and shoes to leave in the car for return to civilization

Group gear – will be supplied by OnTop Mountaineering and split amongst the participants to carry

 Emergency tarp
 Technical Equipment, such as ropes, climbing shoes, helmets, harnesses
 General repair kit and Leatherman
 Maps, compass, GPS, altimeter watch
 Phone with power bank, radio, satellite phone or other emergency communication device
 First-aid kit

Climbing grade conversion

Can I Do It?

No previous rock climbing or scrambling experience required but useful. Campers should be keen to spend an entire day in the mountains with the fitness to walk all day at a reasonable pace and often uphill. Participants should also be sure-footed to walk confidently on exposed trails in the mountains.

FAQ

Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?

Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here