Learn the Skills Needed to Travel Across Glaciers Safely and Independently

Whether it's upcoming ski or summer mountaineering missions, now is the perfect time to update and refresh those vital crevasse rescue skills. And who better do it with than Canada's national mountaineering organization?

Our all female summer crevasse rescue course is led by our highly experienced Guide, Kristen Knechtel. Kirsten has been guiding trips for the Alpine Club for a long time and we love having her lead our female camps. This camp will allow to feel more comfortable heading out on the glacier to access the areas that are out of reach for many people without these skills.

This course will include two field days to maximize hands on practice and visit different areas.

Camp Objectives

Skills you'll learn on this course include:

Basic knots

Essential climbing knots (prusik, clove hitch, munter hitch, munter-mule-overhand, double-fisherman’s, girth hitch)

Ascending & descending rope

Mechanical advantage: setting up a haul system

Use of specific equipment (pulleys, micro-traction, ready-built systems)

Glacier travel basics (where & why crevasses form)

Roped & unroped skiing and hiking

Transferring load

Types of snow anchors

Review of crevasse rescue steps

Arresting a crevasse fall

Transferring load to an anchor

Hands-on practice of setting up and executing hauling systems

Special scenarios: 2-person rescue, unroped fall into crevasse

Day by Day Adventure Itinerary

Day 1
The first day will be taught on rock at Rundle Rock in Banff. Meet here at 8am. You’ll review essential climbing knots, how to descend and ascend a rope, and learn how to set up a hauling system.
Your guide will also discuss the use of commercially-available crevasse rescue equipment (pulleys and ready-made systems) and provide opportunity to practice with these.
You will also cover glacier travel basics, roped and unroped skiing, types of snow anchors, and review the different steps to a crevasse rescue.

Day 2

Day two the group will switch to ice. Meeting place and time to be discussed on day 1 of the course. The second field day will let you practice your new skills in a realistic outdoor environment. The group will practice arresting a fall, transferring the load to an anchor, and going through the steps for the rest of a rescue.
You’ll also get a chance to practice advanced crevasse rescue scenarios, including a 2-person rescue and an unroped fall into a crevasse.

Is this Camp For Me?

Intermediate

This camp is designed for participants that have some previous mountaineering or skiing experience and are looking to expand their terrain choices.

Food, Accommodation and Guiding

Food

Food is not provided as part of the course. Please bring along a packed lunch and some snacks for both days.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included but a list of open accommodations in Canmore will be sent out prior to the start of the course.

Guiding

The guide for this course is ACMG Mountain Guide Kirsten Knechtel and we will be operating on a max ratio of 6:1 participants to guide.

“As women working together, sharing our strength and wisdom, we were able to reach both collective and personal goals, in the true spirit of mountaineering. The camp exceeded my expectations. ”

- Past Women's Climbing Camp with Kirsten KnechtelParticipant -

Adventure Map

more information

Email us
403 678 3200 ext. 213
Gear list
COVID Protocols for Camp

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

2 days instruction by ACMG certified guides at a maximum ratio of 8:1
Group gear including ropes, first aid equipment etc.

Participants Must Provide

Transportation
Accommodation
Lunches
Personal gear (see gear list)

Your 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. Kirsten has a variety of guiding experience behind her. She has worked as a manager of a catskiing operation and guided many heliskiing, catskiing and private ski touring trips. 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.