A Step (or 5) Above Glamping...

Shadow Lake Lodge is nestled near the towering grandeur of Mt Ball. It's easily accessible with the trail head not far from the Town of Banff and the hike is a fairly gradual 14km hike in on an old fire road. Private cabins and gourmet meals provide a relaxing and comfortable base for the guided day hikes that we will take you on in this camp. All meals with the exception of lunch on the first day are provided by the experienced kitchen team and professional chef. The lodge is equipped with a full commercial kitchen.

The lodge is the perfect base camp as it sets you up for many hikes that take you quickly into the alpine and to come amazing view points. The ratio for this camp is 6 participants to one guide.

Trails include Gibbon Pass, Pharaoh Creek to Egypt Lakes, Whistling Pass and more.

Camp Objectives

Hike, hike and hike! ACMG hiking guide, Bob Olinger, scoped out the area last year. He knows the best lookouts to take photos and all the best trails, including some classic like Gibbon Pass, Whistling Pass and Pharaoh Creek to Egypt Lakes.

Day by Day Adventure Itinerary 
  •  
  • Day 1: Meet your group at the Red Earth Creek Parking Lot at 8:00 AM (MST) and walk the 13km road in. On the road watch out for Terry the Grouse. Unload at the cabins then walk 1km to go check out Shadow Lake.
  • Days 2, 3 and 4 (general itinerary):
  • 0700: Breakfast and pack lunches.
  • 0830: Hikes Depart!
  • 1630: Head back to the cabins for tea and a snack.     
  • 1800: Dinner
  • 1930: Free time to journal, read, share stories or play a card game.
  • Day 5: Pack up and head back down the road.
Is this Camp For Me?

Introductory

This camp is designed for anyone who wants to hike in the mountains. You don’t need previous hiking experience but you should be prepared to walk 4-7 hours with a light day bag and walk the 14km trail in with all your gear for the camp. See gear list for things to pack. Some trails will be rocky and uneven but no climbing is necessary.

Food, Accommodation and Guiding

Food

We are very excited to share the meals prepared in the onsite commercial kitchen by our professional chef at the lodge. Breakfast, lunch, tea + goodies and Dinner will be served each day. On top of that there is an extensive wine and beer list to quench the post-hike thirst (subject to additional cost).

Accommodation

You will be staying in your private cabin at Shadow Lake Lodge. For more details on the Lodge visit their website.

Guiding

Our maximum 6:1 guiding ratio will give you the best possible chance of success. 
The ACC hires guides certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). Visit the ACMG website to learn more about what they do!

Rentals

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 GearUp in Canmore. ACC members get 10% off all gear rentals!
  • Coming from Calgary? We recommend renting your gear from MEC, the University of Calgary Outdoors Center, or the Norseman.
  • Coming from the Revelstoke? Give Revelstoke Powder Rentals a try.

Your Guides

BOB OLINGER

Bob has been active in the Rocky Mountains for many years. His passion for the outdoors has taken him through all of our mountain Parks hiking, trail running, climbing, scrambling, and ski touring. He has been a Trip Leader for the Alpine Club of Canada for over a decade, leading ski tours throughout Banff National Park, and Kananaskis Country. Suffice to say he knows the backcountry well.

Bob became an Apprentice Hiking Guide with the Interpretive Guides Association some years ago, and also joined the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides as an Apprentice Hiking Guide with Winter Certification. This has enabled him to lead trips on and off trail in all four seasons through the mountains, while sharing his love and knowledge of the outdoor environment.

The mountain backcountry is a beloved place for Bob to be, and he has been fortunate to guide in spectacular areas in the Purcell and Rocky Mountain Ranges. While not a photographer of note, Bob has taken many pictures of the outdoor world that have been used to paint from, or in advertising. 

Bob is also a registered Massage Therapist of many years standing, and plans to continue to balance both pursuits with his own active lifestyle. He shares his time between the Bow and Columbia Valleys, enjoying what he terms, “the best of both worlds”.

  • "Our leader/guide, Bob Olinger was exceptional.  He was highly skilled in all important aspects of our time together.  He freely shared his vast fund of knowledge about the area, the outdoors and hiking in general.  He was very skilled at being tuned into the group assessing where we were at individually and as a group and skillfully wove that information into his leadership role and communication on the trail.   Bob's humor sure contributed to the fun and helped bring the group together!!  We laughed a lot which was great.  I felt safe, seen and heard and had a had a very wonderful time.   I  feel energized as I return to Michigan and am holding onto all the beauty I took in!  Would definitely go on another guided hiking experience with Bob."
- 2022 Shadow Lake Lodge Hiking Program Participants -

Hiking Hazards

  • Terrain
    • Cornices
    • Crevasses
    • Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps
    • Creeks
    • Rocks and Boulders
    • Variable and difficult walking terrain
    • Impact or collision with other persons or objects
    • Encounters with domestic or wild animals
    • Contact with poisonous flora or fauna
    • Loss of balance or control
    • Slips, trips, and falls
      • Hazard Mitigation
    • Our ACMG certified guides have experience and training to manage this risk
    • Radios and/or other communication devices
    • Your guide will be carrying bear spray if an encounter is possible
  • Communication, rescue, and medical treatment
    • 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 or transportation out of the field,
    • Alpine weather conditions can be extreme and change rapidly without warning making travel by helicopter, dangerous
    • If an injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow
      • Hazard Mitigation
    • Your guide is trained in both backcountry first-aid and rescue techniques
    • Emergency response plans
    • Satellite communication tools
  • Other
    • Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor
    • Infectious disease contracted via direct or indirect contact, including but not limited to influenza or Covid-19
    • Equipment failure
    • Negligence of other persons, including other guests
    • Negligence of the guide Including failure to to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, oh participating in ACC activities
      • Hazard Mitigation
    • Your guide is trained in both backcountry first-aid and rescue techniques
    • Satellite communication tools

Adventure Map

Details

  • September 18-22, 2023
  •  $2750 + Tax
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(403)-678-3200 ext 312
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INCLUDED WITH YOUR CAMP FEE

  • 5 days of professional guiding at max 6:1 ratios by certified ACMG hiking guides 
  • 4 nights accommodation at Shadow Lake Lodge
  • Meals starting with dinner on day 1 and ending with lunch on day 5
  • All Group Gear

PARTICIPANTS MUST PROVIDE

  • Transportation to and from the trailhead
  • Lunch for day 1
  • Personal gear (see gear list)

Organizing Fantastic ACC Adventures For Over 100 Years

  • Local Knowledge - based out of Canmore, AB, we know the Rockies region and the best local caterers, guides and porters
  • Dedicated resources - full-time office staff, ACMG guides and group equipment on-hand to ensure your trip runs smoothly
  • Not-for-profit - any money we make on camps and courses is reinvested into providing services for our members and the mountain community