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Advanced Mountaineering Course
Four days of heli-accessed alpine climbing in the Coast Mountains, built for climbers ready to move from guided days to their own objectives.
- Location
- Squamish Adventure Centre
- Duration
- 4 Days / 3 nights
- Difficulty
- Intermediate / Expert
- Guest Ratio
- 4 to 1
$1750 per person
Book nowAdvanced Mountaineering Course: Technical Alpine Skills, Heli-Accessed
The Advanced Mountaineering Course is four days and three nights in the alpine with an ACMG guide, reached by helicopter, at 4 students per guide. It’s for climbers who can already lead multi-pitch rock and have some time on snow and basic ice, and want the skills for harder mixed alpine routes. It costs $1,750, and the helicopter flight is included.
Day 1 is a review after the flight in: anchors, gear placements, multi-pitch station management, improvised rappels and short roping on rock. Day 2 is about alpine rock objectives, route planning and improvised descents. Days 3 and 4 are student-led ice and rock objectives, with your guide coaching rather than leading. The aim is to leave able to plan and climb routes like Mount Tantalus, Wedge Mountain and Joffre in the Coast Mountains, or Mount Victoria and Mount Fay in the Rockies.
Not there yet? Take Intro Mountaineering and Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue first, or get a taste of Tantalus terrain on our Tantalus Range trip.
What does this course cover?
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Part of the Advanced skill set.
Our goal is to build on our popular intro to mountaineering course and dial in participants to tackle challenging mixed alpine routes. After the course, students typically look to tackle glaciated peaks, such as Mount Tantalus, Wedge, Joffre, Mount Victoria, Mount Fay.
- Understanding Mountain Hazards
- Alpine ice climbing
- Technical rock short roping/short pitching
- Improvised alpine descents
- Tactics to move fast and light
Prerequisites
No prerequisites required
Is this course for me?
Our Advanced mountaineering course is geared toward climbers who have spent the past few years logging experience on the intro to intermediate mountaineering routes. Climbers who are familiar with snow, basic ice climbing and multi-pitch rock climbing. Ideally, this course would open up the opportunity and confidence to tackle routes such as Mount Tantalus, Wedge, Joffre, Mount Victoria, and Mount Fay
- Previous Scrambling or Mountaineering Experience
- Understanding of Basic Climbing Knots
- Moderate Fitness (hike uphill for 6 hours)
- Comfort in Rough and Undulating Terrain
- Ability to lead multi-pitch rock routes
Includes
- 4 full days of instruction with an ACMG guide
- All technical equipment (harness, ice axe, helmet and group gear)
- Helicopter Flight
Does Not Include
- Food
- Camping gear
- Mountaineering boots
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1 - Heli In/Review
- Anchor building
- Gear placements
- Multi-pitch station management
- Improvised rappel tactics
- Rock short roping and pitching
Day 2 - Rock Objectives
- Overnight
- Route planning
- Terrain assessment
- Alpine rock protection
- Improvised descents
Day 3 - Alpine Objective 1/2
- Overnight
- Student-led Ice and rock objective
Day 4 - Alpine Objective 2/2
- Student-led Ice and rock objective
2027 DATES
Frequently Asked Questions
Gear List
Boots- sturdy leather or Cordura with lug soles and good ankle support
Crampons
Ice Axe
Helmet- designed for climbing
Harness- less than 10 years old
Backpack >50L
Hiking Poles (collapsible poles with summer, hiking basket)
Crevasse Rescue Kit
Base Layers (thermals: top, bottoms, socks)
Climbing Layers (mid-weight soft shell jacket and pants)
Waterproof Shells (pants and jacket)
Insulated Jacket (down or synthetic)
Warm Headwear
Gloves (2 pairs- one lighter weight for climbing and one for colder temps)
Sleeping Bag (temperature depending on the location, of course)
Sleeping Pad
Tent (3 or 4 season tent)
Sandals or Shoes for around camp
Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip protection
Water Bottle/ Thermos
Headlamp
Camera
Booking Policy
Please take a moment to read and understand our policies before booking! All the information you need about booking, payment, cancellation and weather policies can be found in our cancellation policy and FAQs.
Am I ready for the advanced course?
You should have a few seasons on beginner to intermediate mountaineering routes, be comfortable on snow and basic ice, and be able to lead multi-pitch rock. You also need the fitness to hike uphill for 6 hours with a heavy pack.
Where does the helicopter take us?
The area depends on conditions and the objectives that suit the group. Your guide will confirm where you’re flying before the course.
What is included in the price?
Four days of instruction with an ACMG guide, the helicopter flight, and technical equipment including a harness, ice axe, helmet and group gear. You bring your own food, camping gear and mountaineering boots.
Will I lead climbs on this course?
Yes. Days 3 and 4 are student-led objectives on ice and rock, with your guide supervising and coaching. That’s the step from following a guide to running your own alpine days.
Can I book custom dates?
Yes. Custom courses are $875 per day for your group. Contact us with your dates and group size.
