Camp Highlights

  • Enjoy the camaraderie of a similar-aged group
  • Low ratio guiding by ACC favourites Peter Amann and Sylvia Forest
  • Visit the ACC's historic Stanley Mitchell Hut
  • All meals prepared by an in-hut chef

Dates & Price

  •  July 18th - 22nd, 2022
  •  $1,525 + Tax / Person

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Our Dedicated 55+ Program Visits the Little Yoho Valley

Our 55+ mountaineering camps are for young-at-heart mountaineers and hikers who want to connect with other adventurers and explore moderate mountaineering and hiking routes from the comfort of one of our backcountry huts.

After cancelling this trip in the Summer of 2020, we are excited to  announce that our first the 55+ camp of 2022 will be based out of the Stanley Mitchell Hut.

The Stanley Mitchell Hut is one of the ACC's oldest huts and is located at the basecamp of the Alpine Club's first ever General Mountaineering Camp. This location is packed with history and classic climbs as well as stunning views. With a slight price increase from the first camp (it cost $2 for a whole week in 1906) you get to upgrade to staying in the hut, have all meals carried in by porters and prepared by a professional chef while you are guided around the mountains by ACMG mountain guides Sylvia Forest and Peter Amann.

Past participants of this camp disagree whether the highlight of the camp was the experienced and friendly guiding staff, the spectacular hikes and summits, or the friendly, supportive atmosphere. If you’ve taken the camp before, we’d love to see you back to explore a new destination with us! If it’s your first time, come try it out, If you are over 55 and seeking company and challenges with others in this age range, this camp is for you!

Camp Objectives

The camp location offers climbing on the Presidents as well as Isolated Peak and Mount MacArthur. There are also spectacular hikes in the area with beautiful wildflower meadows.

Day by Day Adventure Itinerary 
  • Day 1: Drive up the summer road and complete the journey to the Stanley Mitchell hut by foot.

    • Day 2-4: Each day will start with an early morning rise and a hearty breakfast prepared by your cook. The group will typically split into groups (depending on ambition, ability) and spend the day hiking or climbing one of the many local objectives. Lunch will be prepared for you and on return to the chalet you will enjoy a sumptuous 3 course meal and have the chance to enjoy the deck and other facilities. 
    Day 5: Enjoy a last hot breakfast then pack your lunch and your bag and get ready for the hike back down valley to the cars.

Is this Camp For Me?

First things first. This camp is for those 55 years or older to enjoy the camaraderie and social opportunity of being in a group of similar age and ambition. There is no maximum age limit on the camp, but you must be medically able to handle the demands of high altitude and strenuous exercise. You will have the option to take a rest day in the chalet or possibly on an easier hike, but at minimum you must have a good level of fitness and be able to carry up to a 9 - 11kg (20 - 25lb) day pack for several hours.

We suggest having some prior climbing experience and basic rope handling skills, but it isn’t necessary. You should be prepared for off-trail travel over rough terrain, moderate snow and ice slopes, and some hands-on climbing/scrambling. The specific objectives will be determined by the  guides based on the group’s fitness, ambition, and abilities. 

Food, Accommodation and Guiding

Our camp cook, will prepare a full menu of scrumptious meals each day of the camp. We’re able to accommodate most allergies, medical dietary restrictions and vegetarian diets. Additional surcharges apply for vegan, lactose-free, or gluten-free diets. 

Guests will sleep on the upper floor of the cozy Stanley Mitchell Hut where there is one room with matresses.

Our low guiding ratio will give you the best possible chance of success. The small groups mean that you can split up based on objectives and pacing, and get the individualized attention needed to tackle more challenging routes.  

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

PETER AMANN

Peter has worked as a Mountain Guide in many ranges throughout western Canada. He works in many of the camps for the Alpine Club of Canada, including 25 years in the General Mountaineering Camp. He also works with training the Canadian Military’s Search and Rescue Technicians, worked as the Avalanche Forecaster at Marmot Basin for 18 years, and Lead Guide for Robson Helimagic for 6 seasons. Peter works as an instructor and examiner on the Hiking Guide programs for Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. Peter has taught both Rock and Mountaineering courses for 35+ years and has guided many private ski touring and climbing parties. He presently spends the winter months as Avalanche Technician/Forecaster for Northwest Avalanche Solutions Ltd.
DAVE MCCASHIN

Dave has been guiding in the mountains since 1978 initially in the UK, then on the West Coast and for the last 20 years in the Rockies.  He has been a member of the ACMG for 35 years with certification as an ASG and AAG.  He has been a Course Director for three large outdoor programs and currently guides and teaches for Yamnuska Mountain Adventures.  His passion is teaching and reinforcing basic skills to his clients so they can travel safely in the mountains.
SYLVIA FOREST

Sylvia (Syl) Forest is a mountain guide living near Golden, BC. Syl worked as a park warden and mountain rescue specialist in Jasper, Lake Louise and Glacier National Parks for 23 years, and managed the mountain rescue program in Glacier Park for eight years. She completed her UIAGM Mountain Guide certification in 2001. Syl left Parks in the fall of 2013 in order to spend more time guiding, and to spend more time with her family.

Syl also teaches avalanche courses regularly for the Canadian Avalanche Association, and works as a heli ski guide during the winter months.

Your Camp Manager

PATTIE ROOZENDAAL

A long-time Bow Valley resident and ACC member, Pattie has cooked for or managed several ACC trips over the years – from winter ski camps to summer mountaineering and backpacking camps. She’s also been a participant in the Marmot Women’s Mountaineering Camp and the North Face Summer Leadership Course. Her passion is ski touring but she loves playing in the mountains anywhere in the world, at any time of year! Last year was her first time managing the 55+ Adventure Hiking Camp and she’s looking forward to another fabulous camp this year.
  • “It was day one. No wait, it was day two. No, that’s not correct, it was day three. Or maybe day five. Day six? Do you see where I am going with this? Highlight every day.”
  • “Great guides, really great guides.”
  • “All the peaks were fun!”
  • “Spending five days hiking with such a friendly, supportive group of new friends, in an area that I have never hiked before. An adventure I’ll never forget.”
  • “The guide knew the hikes, was well organized and a great communicator and was always concerned about our safety and enjoyment.”
- Past 55+ Camp Participants-

Adventure Map

MORE INFORMATION

Please try to register online before calling. If you are having issues please try to have your emergency contact information and course questionnaire filled out before calling.

  Email us
  403 678 3200 ext. 213 

Gear List

Before registering, please review our Waivers and Liability page:

Trip Waivers and Liability Page

CANCELLATION POLICY AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Please be sure to review our cancellation policy before registering for ACC Adventures:
 
Cancellation Policy  
We sell Tugo® Travel Insurance suitable for both ACC Adventures and personal trips: 

Travel Insurance

INCLUDED WITH YOUR CAMP FEE

  • 5 days guiding by certified ACMG alpine guides at maximum 5:1 client to guide ratio
  • 4 nights  accommodation at the Stanley Mitchell Hut
  • Portering of food and group gear
  • All meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 5 prepared by an on-site cook
  • All group gear

PARTICIPANTS MUST PROVIDE

  • Transportation to and from meeting place
  • Personal gear (see gear list)
  • Breakfast and lunch on day 1, dinner on day 5

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