Steep Ice Climbing Technique with Sean Isaac - Sunday, Dec 13, 2026

The Basics:
Event Type: Course 
Event Location: Guides choice 
Date(s) & Time:   Sunday, Dec 13, 2026 07:00 AM  
Registration Cut Off:   Sunday, Dec 06, 2026  
Event Duration: 1 Day 
Difficulty Rating:   D4 - See Conversion Chart  
Trip Coordinator(s):   Julie Morter
 

Participant Info:
Who's Invited:   Members Only  
Attendee Screening:   Attendees are Pre-Screened
Maximum Group Size: 6
Maximum No. Guests: 0
Minimum Group Size: 3
Maximum No. Guests Per Member: 0
Number Registered So Far:   0 (View sign-ups, waiting list)
Are Dogs Permitted:   No

Itinerary:

Course Content: A one-day course aimed at consolidating and refining steep ice movement skills so both leaders and followers can climb long vertical pitches of sustained ice efficiently, and more important, safely. A series of drills and exercises will be worked through to dial in movement skills and resting strategies. Prerequisite: Participants should have some ice climbing experience, whether it be winter waterfall ice or summer alpine ice. The content is suitable for both novice ice climbers who want to move into steeper terrain as well as more experienced ice climbers who still find they get pumped on steep ice. Participants must be able to offer a safe top-rope belay.

Notes:

Hazards 

 

Rockfall and Icefall

What are the Risks

Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking)

Hazard Mitigation

Mitigated with certified and experienced guides, Helmets

 

 

Communication and Rescue

What are the Risks

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 and transport out of the field 

If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow|

Hazard Mitigation

First Aid / Rescue Training| Satellite Communications | 

 

 

Terrain

What are the Risks

Cornices | Crevasses | Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps | Cliffs | Creeks | Rocks and Boulders |Holes and depressions below the snow surface| Variable and difficult snow conditions |Snowcat roads and road ranks | Fences and other man-made structures | Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects | Encounters with domestic or wild animals | Loss of balance or control | Becoming lost or separated from the group | Slips, trips, and falls|

Hazard Mitigation

Mitigated by Trained and experienced Guide| Radios

 

 

General Hazards 

What are the Risks

Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor| Equipment failure| Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact| Negligence of other persons, including other guests| Negligent first aid| Negligence of the guide Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities|

Hazard Mitigation

Developed safety plans and procedures with decades of experience managing risk.

 

 

Falls and Belaying

What are the Risks

Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground which can lead to injury or death| The risk of a belay failure is also present which can contribute to a ground fall|

Hazard Mitigation

Reviewing best practices with the guide| Equipment checks|
Required Items to Bring:
Equipment: Participants should have their own harness, helmet, belay device, boots, crampons and ice tools. Gear can be rented from Yamnuska 403-678-4164

Recommended Items to Bring:
Other obvious items to bring are warm clothes and a down jacket considering you will be sitting around listening to lecturing. Bring your own food for lunch and snacks and a warm/hot drink. It might not be a bad idea to bring a camera to take photos to assist you in the future looking back at the various things you learned over the course of the day.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:  
 

Notes:

Guide Bio: Sean Isaac is an ACMG Alpine Guide specializing in ice and mixed instruction. He has been ice climbing for over 30 years and guiding for the past 20. He is author of the ACC “Ice Climbing Leaders Field Handbook” as well as the second edition of “How to Ice Climb” by Falcon. He has also written the how-to book “Mixed Climbing” and the guidebook “Mixed Climbs in the Canadian Rockies”.


Payment Options:
  • Member $236.25 CAD



Cancellation Policy
If a participant is unable to attend a paid course or trip, there will be no refund unless the participant finds a suitable replacement that is acceptable to the trip coordinator. Acceptable waiting list candidates will have priority. It will then be the participant's responsibility to recover funds from the replacement. If the coordinator cancels an event, participants get a refund (less any non-recoverable costs). Note that ACC National does not refund hut fees due to weather, delay, closures, or any other reasons. The Calgary Section of the ACC is a not for profit club and we only charge attendees what it costs us to provide courses or trips.
Trip Feedback
If you have any feedback, positive or negative, concerning this trip or any other, we want to hear from you! You can send any feedback you may have to the Section Chair.
Waiver and Membership Requirement
Participation in this activity is subject to you having a current membership and a current signed ACC Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks Agreement (the “Waiver”), which is signed in conjunction with purchasing/renewing your membership.

A separate Waiver is not required. Your membership Waiver in place at the time of the activity will apply to your participation in this activity. You can review your completed waiver by logging onto your profile at alpineclubofcanada.ca. If your membership renews prior to the activity taking place, you will be required to agree to a new Waiver upon renewal, this new Waiver will apply to your participation in this activity. By proceeding with the booking, you agree to the foregoing waiver terms. Bookings without a current Waiver at the time of the activity will be cancelled.

The Waiver is a legal document by which you waive or give up the right to sue or claim compensation following an accident. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY! You can review your completed waiver by logging onto your profile at alpineclubofcanada.ca.

SIGN UP HERE
The trip coordinator needs to review and accept your application for this event. Add yourself to the waiting list here.


Never (not until the event has passed) 
2 Days Before Event  
7 Days Before Event  
I have read and agree to the waiver requirements set out above. I also agree that as a Member, my ACC Waiver in place at the time of this activity will apply to my participation in such activity.

I have read and understand the risks, dangers and hazards associated with this event found on the registration page. I understand that there are many risks, dangers and hazards associated with this activity and am signing up for this event knowing the risks, dangers and hazards that exist and am freely accepting them.