Camp Highlights

  • The same great GMC experience for Artists
  • Gain artistic guidance from our artist-in-residence
  • Guides who are also artists and photographers
  • Smaller, more intimate group than regular GMCs

Dates & price

  •  Aug 13-18, 2022
    • $1,825 + Tax / Person

REGISTER NOW

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

The Same Incredible GMC Experience for Artists and Photographers

Each year, the final week of the ACC’s General Mountaineering Camp is focussed on those seeking to push their creative, rather than mountaineering, boundaries. This camp is for the artist at heart! You can expect all the good things about a regular GMC week (helicopter access, fantastic food, ACMG guides, basecamp comfort etc.) but with a few slight differences designed to tailor our camp to the artist's tastes:

  • Slightly shorter format of six rather than eight days is reflected in the lower cost of the camp
  • An artist-in-residence will be on hand to guide and advise you with your artwork
  • Our Artists Week guides are also artists and photographers themselves
  • Climbing objectives are generally more modest and days are generally shorter than during the regular GMC allowing artists more time to practice their craft
  • You will be experiencing this wilderness area with a smaller and more intimate group as the GMC begins to pack up and wind down; this more peaceful environment makes the week perfect for capturing the natural beauty of the mountains
  • This is also a great family friendly week!

*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.  It is currently mandatory to be fully vaccinated in order to fly on the helicopters we use for the GMC, under the mandates from Transport Canada. At this time no exceptions can be made to the vaccination policy.

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 2035m below the Mummery glacier. 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. Mummery Mt. Barlow Mt. Cairnes Naga Parbat Mountain Mt. Barnard Mt. Freshfield 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 - 5 (a typical day)

    • 6am: General Wake-up Call

      6.30am:General Breakfast is served

      7am:Rope teams leave camp for adventuring

      Through the day: There is greater flexibility than during the regular camp schedule than during the regular GMC weeks: attend a workshop with the artist-in-residence, target a mountaineering objective, go on a short hike and work on your most recent creation 

      6pm: Supper is served and the choice of objectives for the next day is posted

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

    • Day 6: 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. You could be an experienced artist looking for new inspiration or just starting out with a new hobby. 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!

Accommodation

During the course of the camp you'll be assigned a Mountain Hardwear Trango tent. On Artists Week all participants have the luxury of a single, private tent (free of charge).

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. Artist week guides are specially selected to also have artistic, photographic skills and interest.

As of 2018, we added an additional apprentice alpine guide to each week of the GMC. Along with full guides and ACC amateur leaders, this means that participants can expect to be on a rope a ratio of 3:1 or 4:1 guests to rope leaders. This ensures participants can travel at a pace which is right for them and have the chance to ask questions.

Our full guiding roster for the camp will be listed here.

  • 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.
  • There were several class 3 + 4 climbs close to the camp and excellent starters for my daughter.
  • It was a perfect week!
  • I’m addicted to GMC!
- Past GMC Participants-

Adventure Map

More Information

  Email us
   403 678 3200 ext. 213 
  Gear list

Info Pack

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

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 to the remote basecamp location
  • 5 days low-ratio ACMG-certified guiding and instruction throughout the camp
  • Artistic guidance from our very own artist in residence
  • Full basecamp services including: tent accommodation, communal tents, outhouses, warm showers, garbage removal etc.
  • Meals prepared by a dedicated team of cooks (from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6)
  • All group gear

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 the gear list)