Camp Highlights

  • An ACC and Canadian tradition since 1906
  • Purpose built basecamp and basecamp support services
  • Access a remote mountain wilderness by helicopter 
  • Sumptuous meals prepared by on-site chefs

Dates & price

  • July 2nd - Aug 18th, 2022

    • Dates of individual weeks

    • July 2nd - 9th (Week 1)
    • July 9th - 16th (Week 2)
    • July 16th - 23rd (Week 3)
    • July 23rd - 30th (Week 4)
    • July 30th - Aug 6th (Week 5)
    • Aug 6th - 13th (Week 6)
    • Aug 13th -18th (Artists Week)
    • $2,495 per person

Register Now

Mountain Hardwear sponsors the General Mountaineering Camp and we thank them for their assistance.

Come Join the Tradition in 2022!

The ACC’s annual General Mountaineering Camp (GMC) has been a Canadian mountaineering legacy for over 114 years. Set in a different, remote, and little-explored mountain wilderness of the western ranges each summer, the camp gives everyday folk an introduction to modern-day mountain exploration.

In 2020 we had to cancel the GMC for the first time since it's debut in 1906 due to COVID-19. Cancelling this ACC historic camp left quite a void for all the dedicated chefs, guides, camp managers and volunteers who support and work at the camp. It also left a void for many people who come back year after year. Thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers a plan was put in place to run the GMC at the base of the spectacular Mt Mummery last year. The 2021 GMC camp staff and volunteers adapted all of the day to day operations and procedures to accommodate for safety protocols during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We are happy to say that it was a success and want to thank everyone who was able to join and spend time in the mountains! We could not have run it without the optimism and support from everyone who attended.

Still riding high from the success of the 2021 GMC, we are excited to announce that the 2022 GMC will be happening this coming summer at International Basin. A location that has been visited by a GMC before and that many have been anxious to get back to or visit for the first time based on great feedback the last time we were there. This location has much to offer from hikes through alpine flowers and lakes to more technical peaks requiring ice and rock skills.

Whether you're looking to challenge yourself on remote alpine summits, savour delicious chef-prepared food at 2000m, or enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals, the GMC offers it all. But the camp sells out every year so register early to avoid disappointment!

If you stayed home in 2021 we support your decision and look forward to having you back again in 2022 along with all the new participants from 2021 and those wishing to visit a GMC for their first time.

*Please check out the info pack (located on the right hand side of this webpage) for more details on adaptations from the regular camp to keep people safe during Covid. This plan will continue to adapt as we navigate the ongoing pandemic. We are currently researching whether to make it mandatory to be double vaccinated for Covid 19 and will contact all registrants individually should this become a requirement to register.*

COVID-19 Cancellation Policy: Should a program be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic , you will be fully refunded for your camp registration. Should you have Covid Symptoms within 2 weeks of the program starting you will receive a 100% credit towards the ACC and not be permitted to join the program. The ACC remains committed to providing a safe environment for its members and thanks participants for their understanding.

Camp Objectives

Our heli-accessed basecamp will be located at 2090m in the International Mountain Basin. The adjacent peaks provide a variety of challenges for mountaineers just starting out as well as for seasoned veterans. Depending on participants’ level of experience, fitness, and goals, potential objectives might include:
  • Mt Sibbald
    •
  • Strutt Peak
    •
  • International Mountain
    •
  • David Peak
    •
  • Coney Peak
    •
  • Malachite Spire
    •
  • Horseman Spire
    •
  • Sandilands Peak
    •
  • and more

    Because of the exploratory nature of the camp, various nearby high points, ridges, and alpine features will also be visited over the course of the summer. The area also provides a perfect setting for our ice, snow and rock schools, an excellent option for those looking to develop their mountaineering abilities and become more autonomous in the alpine environment.
    • Day by Day Adventure Itinerary 
    •  
    • Day 1: Meet early in the morning at the helicopter staging area from where you and your gear will be flown into the remote basecamp. Upon arrival, you'll be introduced and orientated to the camp by our Camp Manager for the week and assigned a tent. You'll also have the chance to meet some of the week's guides and go on a short hike to explore the immediate area.
    •  
    • Day 2 - 7 (a typical day)

    • 4.30am: Early breakfast is served

      5am: Rope teams leave camp for longer days/bigger objectives

      6am: General Wake-up Call

      6.30am: General Breakfast is served

      7am: More rope teams leave camp for shorter days, cragging etc.

      Through the day: In the field you will likely spend the day in a group with a Guide and/or amateur leaders. Ratios will vary depending to your chosen objective. Objectives may include prominent peaks in the area, nearby peaks and ridges, or curriculum fine-tune your knowledge and skills. Approaches to climbs may be lengthy with significant elevation gain, and will likely involve roped glacier travel. Many factors (including weather) will determine your groups’ success in reaching any summits. All-in-all the focus of the day is to have fun!

      2-4pm: Rope teams arrive back at camp

      2-6pm: Free time (showers, tea time, etc.), and the choice of objectives for the next day is posted

      6pm: Supper is served

      7.30pm: Buffet set out to make lunches for the next day

    • Day 8: After a final breakfast, photos and goodbyes, you will fly back to civilization via helicopter.

    Is this camp for me?
    All Abilities!

    The GMC is open to all! 16 years of age or older, novice to expert, intrepid or laid back. The large camp size (typically 31 participants, 5 guides and 4 volunteer leaders each week) allows for different groups to target a wide ranges of objectives. Each day you get to decide which group you'd like to join depending on your ability, fitness and desired length of day.

    Food, Accommodation and Guiding

    Food

    Evenings will be spent enjoying great food, socializing in the dining or tea tents and resetting for the next day’s climbing. All our food is prepared by a dedicated team of chefs in a dedicated cooking tent. And all ingredients are flown in fresh each week meaning you'll be treated to meat, fruit and vegetables (not to mention some killer desserts) through the week, no dehydrated stuff here! Have you even had a turkey dinner above 2000 meters?


    Accommodation

    During the course of the camp you'll be assigned a Mountain Hardwear Trango tent with a companion of your choice or a fellow guest. The tents are large (3 or 4 person) so there is plenty of space for both of you and your gear. If you prefer your own personal tent, this is also an option although we do charge an extra fee of $200 for this as tents are limited.

    As well as your sleeping tent, there is a communal dining tent, drying tent and tea tent to hang out with your fellow participants. The camp also has two specially prepared outhouses for guests as well as two private showers (now with hot water!)

    Guiding

    Our ACMG certified alpine or full mountain guides will help to orientate you at the camp. Each day they will also be leading different groups to different alpine objectives. Our guides will be welcome to answering questions about the region as well as everything from crampon technique to gear recommendations.

    As of 2022, we added an additional alpine guide to each week of the GMC. Along with full guides and ACC amateur leaders, this means that participants can expect to be in small groups of 3-5 people all day which adds to the enjoyment of the experience and ensures participants can travel at a pace which is right for them and interact closely with their guides.

    Our full guiding roster will be listed below as each guide is confirmed.

    • Beautiful location, easy access to all routes, lots of variety for trips to satisfy differing levels of motivation day-to-day.
    • The attitude from the guides and camp staff was infectious and they were all very inspiring.
    • A perfect week...I’m addicted to the GMC!
    - Past GMC Participants-

    "To stand on top of a mountain, to listen to the roar of an avalanche, to see ravens floating in the air and a cascade of alpine flowers was sorely needed. We were not only able to dream, but make memories.

    As always the camp was located in a spectacular location where the worries of our day, was focused on our objectives not on things beyond our control. The camp ran as a normal camp, in a time when normal has been so elusive.

    People laughed and joked, told stories, and worked together as a team to climb mountains. Their expressions were not hidden behind masks, but their joy, excitement and occasionally fear was clearly written across their faces.

    We left camp with memories, new friends and more then just a glimmer of hope for the future.

    With many thanks, Bill Summers - GMC 2021 Week 2"

    Adventure Map


    More Information

      Email us
       403 678 3200 ext. 213     
      Gear list  

    Info Pack

    • 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

    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

    • Return helicopter flights
    • 7 days guiding and instruction by ACMG-certified guides supported by ACC amateur leaders
    • Full basecamp setup including: tent accommodation, kitchen, communal tents, outhouses, warm showers, garbage removal etc.
    • Meals prepared by a dedicated team of camp cooks (from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8)
    • All group gear inc. ropes, group first aid kit, emergency communication devices etc.

    Participants Must Provide

    • Transportation between the meeting area in Golden and the staging area (a shuttle bus is available for an additional fee)
    • Personal gear (see gear list)

    Week 1 Guides


    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.


    BRETT LAWRENCE

    Brett has been guiding in the mountains within Canada and Switzerland since 2001. His passion for the mountains began at the age of 14, when his dad introduced him to rock climbing. Along the cliffs of the Gatineau Park, just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, Brett quickly became addicted to the sport. He soon realized that if he wanted to pursue the adventures of climbing, he had to move to a place that was immersed in the mountains. Five years later at the age of 19, he moved to Canmore, Alberta to advance his life in the mountains. 

    In 2001, Brett started taking courses and exams through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and in the spring of 2006 finished his last exam, making him fully certified through the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA). Brett now lives in Revelstoke with his very supportive family, who allow him to continue his dreams.


    Maarten Van Haeren

    Maarten was born and raised in The Netherlands, allowing him to explore Europe through backpacking and bike touring. At the age of 18, he moved to Ontario with his family to enjoy Canada’s natural wonders and embark on a new adventure. Since moving to the Bow Valley in 2013, Maarten has been working through the ACMG program towards his IFMGA Mountain Guide certification. He is currently certified as an Apprentice Alpine Guide and enjoys guiding ice climbing throughout Alberta and British Columbia. Maarten lives in Exshaw in the Bow Valley with his wife Lin and their cat Am. He has pursued ice and mixed climbing throughout North America, usually going for long walks to seek out new climbs. His travels have taken him beyond Alberta and British Columbia, to Quebec, Alaska, Morocco and Iceland.


    Francisco Medina- Sch.

    Francisco – AKA Pancho - is originally from Santiago, Chile where he began his outdoor pursuits at an early age accomplishing numerous first ascents in the Andes. At 18, he was invited on a climbing trip to the Alps where his passion for adventures in the mountains was cemented. Pancho began his guiding career leading mountaineering trips to Aconcagua and trekking trips to Patagonia and in 2004 he received his UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide certification in France and has continued his guiding career in the Andes, Alps, Rockies and Himalayas. In 2006 he began semi-annual trips to Canada to experience all the Canadian Rockies have to offer and now reside full-time in Canmore with his wife. Pancho is excited about sharing the outdoors with his guests, whether it is mountaineering, climbing, skiing, trekking, or teaching outdoor education courses.

    Week 2 Guides


    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.


    Fred Amyot

    Frederick Amyot is an ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide. Fred guides year-round in many different countries: France, Iceland, USA, and in Canada (from the West coast to the East); heli-skiing and ski touring in the winter and alpine climbing, hiking and rock climbing in the summer. Fred is part of the team coordinating the Mountaineering courses in the Adventure Studies Department at TRU and developing the mountains courses in the Adventure Certificate at Keilir University in Iceland. Fred is an alumni student from the ADVG program and completed the Bachelor Degree in Tourism Management.


    Brett Lawrence

    Brett has been guiding in the mountains within Canada and Switzerland since 2001. His passion for the mountains began at the age of 14, when his dad introduced him to rock climbing. Along the cliffs of the Gatineau Park, just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, Brett quickly became addicted to the sport. He soon realized that if he wanted to pursue the adventures of climbing, he had to move to a place that was immersed in the mountains. Five years later at the age of 19, he moved to Canmore, Alberta to advance his life in the mountains.
    In 2001, Brett started taking courses and exams through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and in the spring of 2006 finished his last exam, making him fully certified through the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA). Brett now lives in Revelstoke with his very supportive family, who allow him to continue his dreams.


    Benjamin Paradis

    Benjamin is an Apprentice Alpine Guide member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Established in Canmore since 2011, Ben has been climbing all over Western and Eastern Canada on waterfall ice, rock and alpine objectives. He has also traveled around the world with expeditions in areas such as Patagonia, the French and Swiss alps, the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, the Sierra Madre in Mexico, Greece, Cuba and innumerable trips to the United States. Beside his work as an Alpine guide, he has spent over 10 years as a Climbing gym instructor for which he has acquired a great deal of experience in teaching and coaching. When Benjamin is not taking people up a mountain or teaching a new group of climber, he enjoys planning the next adventure whether it’s a big objective or another trip with his wife and his one year-old son. He has numerous interest in life and always love to meet new people to learn from. Ben is fluent in French and English and somehow holds a Master’s in Political science.

    Week 3 Guides


    Kirsten Knechtel

    Kirsten was raised in Banff, AB where her passion for the mountains and mountain adventure began. Kirsten’s family were outdoor enthusiasts and by the age of 6 she began ski racing, age 10 ski touring, and by age 14 she had climbed many classic alpine routes in the Canadian Rockies. Her career as a guide was a natural step. By age 25 she was a fully certified mountain guide.

    20 plus years later, Kirsten has a huge variety of guiding experiences behind her. She has worked as a manager of a catskiing operation, guided many heliskiing, catskiing and private ski touring trips and worked as an instructor on the ACMG guides training program. In the summer she has worked with the British military training, run her own private guiding business and spent well over 10 years working at the Alpine Club’s General Mountaineering Camp, Marmot Women’s camps and other ACC programs.


    Fred Amyot

    Frederick Amyot is an ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide. Fred guides year-round in many different countries: France, Iceland, USA, and in Canada (from the West coast to the East); heli-skiing and ski touring in the winter and alpine climbing, hiking and rock climbing in the summer. Fred is part of the team coordinating the Mountaineering courses in the Adventure Studies Department at TRU and developing the mountains courses in the Adventure Certificate at Keilir University in Iceland. Fred is an alumni student from the ADVG program and completed the Bachelor Degree in Tourism Management.


    Kevin Rohn

    Kevin Rohn has spent several years as an armature leader for the GMC, and is now an ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide.  Born and raised in Canmore, AB, Kevin Has been playing in the mountains his whole life.  He has a passion for adventure and spends most of his time climbing and skiing around the Rockies with friends new and old.   “I can’t wait to share fun times in the mountains with you up at the GMC this summer!”


    Helen Sovdat

    Helen is a certified IFMGA guide (International Federation of Mountain Guides Association) and is currently based in the Canadian Rockies. She is the third internationally certified woman guides in Canada. An ACC member for 35 years, she has been involved with a variety of outdoor programs ranging from skiing to climbing and leadership training. Helen leads international expeditions all over the world and has visited the Andes, Nepal and Mongolia with her groups. She looks forward to sharing adventures around the globe with ACC members.

     

    Week 4 Guides


    Tom Wolfe

    Originally from Ontario, Tom found his way to the Canadian Rockies in the late 80s and has been climbing and skiing hard there ever since. His passion for the mountains also lured him into the guiding profession and he passed his last exam in 2010 to become a fully certified Mountain Guide (ACMG / IFMGA). Tom, however, is more resourceful than that: He works part of his time as a computer consultant and network administrator, which only remotely has anything to do with his academic training as a school teacher. Tom speaks also German and lives with his wife and two children in Canmore AB.


    Benjamin Paradis

    Benjamin is an Apprentice Alpine Guide member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Established in Canmore since 2011, Ben has been climbing all over Western and Eastern Canada on waterfall ice, rock and alpine objectives. He has also traveled around the world with expeditions in areas such as Patagonia, the French and Swiss alps, the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, the Sierra Madre in Mexico, Greece, Cuba and innumerable trips to the United States. Beside his work as an Alpine guide, he has spent over 10 years as a Climbing gym instructor for which he has acquired a great deal of experience in teaching and coaching. When Benjamin is not taking people up a mountain or teaching a new group of climber, he enjoys planning the next adventure whether it’s a big objective or another trip with his wife and his one year-old son. He has numerous interest in life and always love to meet new people to learn from. Ben is fluent in French and English and somehow holds a Master’s in Political science.

    Week 5 Guides


    Cyril Shokoples

    Cyril began his career as an outdoor professional 30 years ago. His professional mountain guiding began a quarter century ago and he is an internationally certified mountain guide. He is a past president of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, honorary member of The Alpine Club of Canada, and has received distinguished service awards from the North West Mountaineering Club, The Alpine Club of Canada and the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. He was the coordinator of Prehospital Care programs at the Alberta Vocational College where he trained Emergency Medical Technicians and developed the Parks Emergency Responder course for National Park wardens. He still delivers that course all across Canada and teaches Wilderness Emergency Care to mountain guides. Cyril trains the Canadian Forces Search and Rescue Technicians in Mountain Rescue and is one of the primary instructors on the ACC summer and winter Mountain Leadership courses.

    Week 6 Guides


    Jim Gudjonson

    Jim has been guiding for the ACC Mountain Adventures program for more than 20 years, including being a regular at the General Mountaineering Camp and global adventures to Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile. Jim is known among participants for maxing out the potential of a destination and delivering life-­‐changing experiences to all who dare to follow. Shunning status quo, he seeks out the path less followed. In addition to the global and Canadian trips guided for the ACC, he has also helped people fulfill their mountaineering dreams in various European destinations, Japan, Iceland, and Greenland. In the inaugural year of the ACC’s Guides’ Recognition Award, Jim was recognized by the ACC for his ongoing guiding contribution to ACC Mountain Adventures.


    Cyril Shokoples

    Cyril began his career as an outdoor professional 30 years ago. His professional mountain guiding began a quarter century ago and he is an internationally certified mountain guide. He is a past president of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, honorary member of The Alpine Club of Canada, and has received distinguished service awards from the North West Mountaineering Club, The Alpine Club of Canada and the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. He was the coordinator of Prehospital Care programs at the Alberta Vocational College where he trained Emergency Medical Technicians and developed the Parks Emergency Responder course for National Park wardens. He still delivers that course all across Canada and teaches Wilderness Emergency Care to mountain guides. Cyril trains the Canadian Forces Search and Rescue Technicians in Mountain Rescue and is one of the primary instructors on the ACC summer and winter Mountain Leadership courses.


    Francisco Medina- Sch.

    Francisco – AKA Pancho - is originally from Santiago, Chile where he began his outdoor pursuits at an early age accomplishing numerous first ascents in the Andes. At 18, he was invited on a climbing trip to the Alps where his passion for adventures in the mountains was cemented. Pancho began his guiding career leading mountaineering trips to Aconcagua and trekking trips to Patagonia and in 2004 he received his UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide certification in France and has continued his guiding career in the Andes, Alps, Rockies and Himalayas. In 2006 he began semi-annual trips to Canada to experience all the Canadian Rockies have to offer and now reside full-time in Canmore with his wife. Pancho is excited about sharing the outdoors with his guests, whether it is mountaineering, climbing, skiing, trekking, or teaching outdoor education courses.

    Week 7 Guides


    Kirsten Knechtel

    Kirsten was raised in Banff, AB where her passion for the mountains and mountain adventure began. Kirsten’s family were outdoor enthusiasts and by the age of 6 she began ski racing, age 10 ski touring, and by age 14 she had climbed many classic alpine routes in the Canadian Rockies. Her career as a guide was a natural step. By age 25 she was a fully certified mountain guide.

    20 plus years later, Kirsten has a huge variety of guiding experiences behind her. She has worked as a manager of a catskiing operation, guided many heliskiing, catskiing and private ski touring trips and worked as an instructor on the ACMG guides training program. In the summer she has worked with the British military training, run her own private guiding business and spent well over 10 years working at the Alpine Club’s General Mountaineering Camp, Marmot Women’s camps and other ACC programs.


    Roger Laurilla

    Raised in Roger’s Pass and Revelstoke B.C., Roger was exposed to the mountains at early age. During his secondary education interests in mountaineering and photography grew simultaneously. As he began to explore the mountains he saw a lot of areas and natural wonders that he wanted to capture on film. Climbing and skiing became the means to see the mountains and photograph whatever he saw. Roger joined the Alpine Club of Canada in 1976, started guiding on national camps in 1989 and served as VP of Mountain Activities for six years ending 2011. Currently Roger is one of the senior guides for the ACC’s General Mountaineering Camp. In 1979 Roger started working for Canadian Mountain Holidays, this opened his eyes to what guiding is all about and Roger became a fully certified Mountain Guide 1989. From his early years in the ski shop, he has guided and managed CMH Monashees Heli-Skiing operation for Canadian Mountain Holidays. Presently, with co-owner Robson Gmoser, they operate Battle Abbey a commercial backcountry ski hut in the southern Selkirk Mountains. 

    Photography has long been a strong creative source for Roger; his images have been published in many magazines including Canadian Geographic, Beautiful BC, Ski Canada, Powder Magazine, Climbing, Rock And Ice, Couloir and Back Country. Some of the many books that his images have appeared in are: The Selkirks, The Bugaboos, Place Names in the Canadian Alps, Summits and Secrets, and Canadian Summits. Most of Roger’s photography is documenting outdoor sports and mountain related subjects in Canada and the US. His photography and guiding have taken him to South America, Africa, New Zealand, Iceland, Europe, Asia and Antarctica.