During the Ultimate Everything Course, we will spend most of our time ski touring and learning along the way. We try to have students leading as much as possible while monitoring our exposure to hazards and searching for learning opportunities. This course is an amazing way to learn a lot in a short period of time, setting you up for success on your own adventures in the mountains.
Location - Icefall Lodge
Icefall Lodge is a remote heli-accessed lodge on the West slopes of the Rocky Mountains, where the snowpack is deep like the Columbia Mountains. It has arguably the most spectacular terrain of any lodge in BC, with big peaks and glaciers.
Once we arrive, there will be 7 days with no driving, no valley bottom slogs, no tracks, and amazing food prepared by a professional.
It only takes about an hour to reach the closest glacier, so we have lots of time to practice travel and rescue.
This course is definitely a game changer for me!
— Inka Lee
Itinerary - UEC
Pre-trip: Several hours worth of material to review online, including short videos of avalanche and crevasse rescue case studies.
Day 1:
Am - Fly into the lodge
Pm - Avalanche Rescue Practice and AST 2 slideshow
Aprés - Trip planning session
Day 2:
Ski tour with students leading
Aprés - Glacier travel slideshow and trip planning
Day 3:
Am - Indoor crevasse rescue session
Pm - Ski tour with students leading
Aprés - Snow anchor practice
Day 4:
Am - Ski tour on a glacier
Pm - Crevasse rescue practice on a glacier
Aprés - Trip planning session
Day 5-7:
Students collaborating to plan and lead ski tours
Aprés - Rope ascending, trip planning
Day 8:
Fly home from the lodge.
The weather, conditions and group ability will determine the ratio of glacier/tree skiing. If it's a sunny week, expect to spend most of the time in the alpine on glaciers. If it's stormy, we'll probably spend most of the time in the trees avoiding avalanches. Please note we may alter the itinerary to suit the weather and conditions.
The week was way beyond expectations!
— Mathieu Caron
Crevasse Rescue Practice during The Ultimate Everything Course
Prerequisites - UEC
Over 19 years old or accompanied by a parent.
Strong ski/snowboard skills to manage navigating crevasses and steep trees.
Please make sure you have read through the booking conditionsbefore making a payment. This includes completing the Waiver and Registration Form. If the course is already full, please complete the Registration Form to join the waitlist.
E-Transfer to gearysguiding@gmail.com is the preferred method of payment. Please contact us for alternate payment methods.
Included
Accommodation and food/cook
Return Helicopter flight
7 days of guiding/instruction at 6:1 ratio with ACMG Ski/Mountain Guides
AST 2 Course
Glacier Travel Course
The Art of Uptracking Course
The Art of Up-tracking Handbook (Paperback)
The Art of Glacier Travel Handbook (Paperback)
Ropes
Paper run map
Excluded
Travel to and from the staging area
Personal glacier travel equipment
Front country accommodation (Eg. Golden/Revelstoke)
Lunch on day 1
Extra expenses incurred due to dietary requirements (please contact us well in advance to check these can be accommodated)
