AMP Advanced Ice - Glacier Ice - Monday, Oct 05, 2026

The Basics:
Event Type: Ice Climbing 
Event Location: Athabasca 
Event Starts:   Monday, Oct 05, 2026 08:05 AM  
Event Ends:   Monday, Oct 05, 2026 04:05 PM  
Registration Cut Off:   Thursday, Oct 01, 2026  
Difficulty Rating:   D3 - See Conversion Chart  
Trip Coordinator(s):   Vi Pickering
Katherine Morianos
Dom d'Argent
 

Participant Info:
Who's Invited:   Members Only  
Attendee Screening:   Attendees are Pre-Screened
Maximum Group Size: 6
Minimum Group Size: 4
Number Registered So Far:   0 (View sign-ups, waiting list)
Are Dogs Permitted:   No

Itinerary:

We had so much fun out there we are trying to add another date!

Join us for pre-season ice climbing! refresh your ice climbing skills by climbing steep glacier ice on the Athabasca glacier. Large crevasses & moulins will provide the steep ice needed to give us a headstart on the winter ice season!

Our focus will be on movement skills, ice anchor construction from screws & V-threads and lead techniques.

Objectives: 


Refresh our Foundations for Good Ice Climbing Techniques and Movement Skills:

  • A-frame - middle, left, right kicking

  • I-Frame

  • Swinging basics

  • Heels when low-kicking, small steps, kick from sagged position

  • Concave vs. convex features


Refresh our ice anchor construction and techniques for single pitch ice climbing

  • Cleaning ice for beginners - go deep

  • Ice screw placement and v-thread

  • DARN solid anchors on bolts & ice 

  • Anchor math

  • Why 20Kn




Participants should have some ice climbing experience. 



Food and accommodation are not included. 


Required Items to Bring:

Equipment List

  • Helmet

  • Harness

  • Belay device

  • Ice tools 

  • Crampons 

  • Mountaineering boots 

  • 40L Backpack (ice-tool compatible)

  • Socks (synthetic/wool blend, well-proven)

  • Long underwear top and bottoms (heavyweight synthetic or wool)

  • Softshell pants and jacket

  • Midweight synthetic or down jacket

  • Warm insulating jacket

  • Waterproof hardshell jacket with hood

  • Multiple pairs of gloves - Ice climbing gloves, warm belay gloves/mitts

  • Warm hat that fits under a helmet

  • Lunch and snacks (high-calorie, high-fat recommended)

  • Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1–2L total)

  • Sunglasses

  • Sunscreen

  • Hand and foot warmers

  • Headlamp



Notes:

Hazards 

 

Rockfall and Icefall

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

 

Avalanche

Avalanches can occur in the terrain you will be entering| Caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (skiing/snowboarding)| Anyone caught in an avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and/or property damage or loss.|


Communication and Rescue

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|


Terrain

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|


General Hazards 

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|


Falls and Belaying

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|




Payment Options:
  • Coordinator $261.45 CAD
  • Member $261.45 CAD
Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our participant responsibility guidelines!


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.