Mountain Skills Program
Custom
Outdoor Experience is proud to offer the best mountain skills training in
For those who want to make a carreer in the mountains, this course will jump
start the long process of becoming an outdoor leader or mountain guide and will
give you the skills you need to begin working in the outdoor industry.
Why Choose COE's Skills
Program?
Unlike
other skills course providers we spend the entire four and a half months
outside in the mountains. Except for during a few certification courses like
1st Aid and CAA Avalanche Skills Training, you will spend every day pushing
your skills under the mentorship of our guides. Our graduates leave the course
capable of leading hard pitches on all types of mountain terrain. We will visit
a number of locations including a two week rock climbing road trip to the
deserts of
Another unique feature
of COE's Mountain Skills Course is that all meals and accomodations are
included in the price. Most of the time this means staying at the beautiful Sheiling Mountain Lodge and enjoying delicious home
cooked meals. Of course, lots of time will be spent in the backcountry and on
road trips as well.
Who Takes COE's Mountain
Skills Course?
Past
participants have been from a wide variety of backgrounds and from many
different places in the world. Ages range from 18 to early 40's. Participants
have come from
The course is perfect
for:
- Those looking for a lifestyle change.
- Those wanting a career change.
- Young persons taking a GAP Year.
- Travellers who want the ultimate
adventure.
- Anyone wanting to increase their self
confidence.
- Professionals taking a year off work.
- Highschool grads wanting an alternate
form of education.
- Those wanting to pursue a career in the
outdoors.
- Anyone wanting the ultimate adventure
skills training!
Guides
Instruction
and guiding will be done by certified ACMG guides whom are expert all round
climbers and kayakers. COE's guides have made ascents of many extremely
difficult routes throughout North America, South America, and
More about COE
Guides.
Certification Courses
The
course includes the following courses:
- Swiftwater Rescue
- CAA Introductory Recreational Avalanche
Course
- High Angle Rescue
- 40hr Wilderness First Aid
- 80hr Wilderness First Aid (Industry
Standard for Guiding)
Furthermore,
successfull course members should feel prepared to take a number of other
courses the following season provided they continue to develop their skills.
Such courses may include:
- ACMG Top Rope Instructor
- Moving Water Kayak Instructor
- CAA Advanced Recreational Avalanche
Course
Skill Levels to Expect
The
goal of the Mountain Skills Course is for all participants to learn the skills
needed to safely and confidently undertake major climbs on rock, ice and alpine
terrain as well as to develop a proficiency for kayaking in mountain rivers.
Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses but on average past
participants have left the course with the following climbing and kayaking
levels:
Rock: Able to lead 5.10 bolted
routes, lead 5.8 or 5.9 traditional gear routes, and the skills to do both on
multipitch climbs.
Ice: Able to follow WI5+, lead WI4, and complete routes up to 500 meters
(or more!) in length. Some mixed climbing skills are also covered.
Alpine: Able to self lead commitment level III alpine routes on rock or
glaciated peaks. Able to participate in ascents of grade IV routes.
Kayaking: Able to kayak class IV whitewater.
Backcountry Skiing: Basic ski touring and winter mountain travel skills.
Prerequisites
This is
an extremely physically demanding course and therefore a reasonable level of
fitness is required. For the safety of all participants, a physical examination
by a physician is required in order to register for this course. No previous
climbing or kayaking experience is neccessary. A Standard 1st aid course is
also recommended but not required.
Sample Agenda
This
agenda is highly flexible in order to take maximum advantage of current
conditions and weather. Other activities such as caving may be substituted from
time to time if weather is terrible.
|
|
Course
Introductions, Gear Inspection and Prep, Goal Setting. |
|
Aug
2+3: |
Glacier
Travel & Crevasse Rescue: |
|
Aug
4th: |
Alpine
Ropework + Mountain Travel Skills |
|
Aug
5+6: |
Alpine
Rock Ascents: Nordegg or |
|
Aug
7+8: |
Alpine
Ice Ascents: |
|
Aug
9+10: |
Rock
Climbing: Top Roping & |
|
Aug
11: |
Off |
|
Aug
12-16: |
Mountaineering
Expedition: |
|
Aug
17: |
Off |
|
Aug
18: |
Gear
shopping trip to city with one of the guides - if neccessary. |
|
Aug
19-20: |
Alpine
Ascent - Big route in Icefields or Lake Louise Areas |
|
Aug
21+22: |
Intro
to Kayaking |
|
Aug
23+24: |
Rock
Climbing - Learning to Sport Climb |
|
Aug
25-29: |
40hr
Wilderness 1st Aid. |
|
Aug
30+31: |
Off |
|
Sep
1-2: |
Swiftwater
Rescue |
|
Sep
3-5: |
Kayaking:
|
|
Sep
6: |
Off. |
|
Sep
7-9: |
Rock
Climbing: Traditional Gear Climbing |
|
Sep
10-12: |
Kayaking
Road Trip: |
|
Sep
13+14: |
Off. |
|
Sep
14(PM)-19: |
Rock
Climbing Road Trip: |
|
Sep
20-Oct 3: |
80hr
Wilderness 1st Aid |
|
Oct
4+5: |
Rock
Climbing: New Route Development, First Ascenting! |
|
Oct
6+7: |
Off. |
|
Oct
8-10: |
Kayaking
Road Trip - Class 3+4 |
|
Oct
11-14: |
Alpine
Ascents: Location depends on conditions. |
|
Oct
15-22: |
Course
Break |
|
Oct
23-27: |
Alpine
Expedition: Location depends on conditions. |
|
Oct
28: |
Off. |
|
Oct
29+30: |
High
Angle Rescue |
|
Oct
31: |
Participants
Choice |
|
Nov
1: |
Rest
and Pack. |
|
Nov
2-14: |
Rock
Climbing Road Trip: |
|
Nov
15+16: |
Off. |
|
Nov
17+18: |
Ice
Climbing Intro. |
|
Nov
19-21: |
Ice
Climbing: Guided Multipitch Ascents WI 4-5. |
|
Nov
22: |
Off. |
|
Nov
23-25: |
Ice
Climbing: Leading. |
|
Nov
26-27: |
Ice
Climbing: Student Lead Multipitch WI 2-4. |
|
Nov
28+30: |
Ice
Climbing: Guided Multipitch |
|
Dec
1+2: |
Off |
|
Dec
3-5: |
Backcountry
Skiing Intro: Parkers Ridge + Bow |
|
Dec
6-7: |
CAA
Introductory Recreational Avalanche Course. |
|
Dec
8+9: |
Ice
Climbing: Multipitch Ascents, BIG LINES! (Polar Circus, Upper Weeping Wall,
etc.) |
|
Dec
10: |
Off. |
|
Dec
11-14: |
Ski
Tour: |
|
Dec
15: |
Ice
Climbing: More BIG LINES! |
|
Dec
16: |
Course
close and party. |
Equipment
All
technical equipment is provided by the COE. However, past participants have
found it nicer to have much of their own personal gear such as harnesses and
helmets. Our guides are more than happy to answer questions and make
recommendations regarding equipment before and during the program, it is
important that you are outfitted appropriately.
Required Gear
Clothing
- Light Hikers/Approach shoes - A decent
pair of light comfortable boots for daily use.
- Waterproof Breathables - Gore-tex or
equivalant Jacket and Pants. Bib pants are worth the extra money.
- Underlayers - Polyester longjohns(1)
and tops(at least 2).
- Warm Layers - Fleece sweaters, 1 light,
1 heavy.
- Pants - 1pr light nylon, 1pr
warm(Sheoller or midweight fleece).
- Socks - Many pairs of synthetic or wool
hiking socks.
- Gloves - 1pr light fleece, 1pr
midweight (insulated leather work gloves with a stretch cuff work
excellent) , 1pr heavy ice climbing gloves.
- Mitts - 1pr Goretex or equivalant
overmitts.
- Toque - warm fleece or wool toque.
- Gaitors - Goretex or equivalant.
Technical
Gear
- Alpine/Ice Boots - A good pair of
leather Alpine and Ice Climbing Boots are absolutely required. These
should be all leather, have a full shank and cost $300 to $450. The best
brand is the one that fits best. This is NOT an item to try and cheap out
on.
- Rock Shoes - should be snug fitting but
not toe crippling.
- Water Booties - any type without laces
will do.
- Expedition Pack - 70L or greater
expedition backpack.
- Day Pack - 30L or so pack for daily
use, must have ice axe attachments.
- Sleeping Bag - Synthetic or Down, rated
to at least -12C.
- Sleeping Pad - Thermarest or Foam Pad.
- Headlamp - Petzl LED headlamps are the
best.
- Waterbottles - 2, 1L Nalgenes.
- Sunglasses - A descent pair that blocks
all UV.
Recommended Gear
Although
the following are not absolutely required, you will find that they will increase
your comfort during the course. If you intend to continue on this path, it is
worth making the extra investment now.
- Dry Top - makes kayaking far far
warmer.
- Personal Rock Climbing Gear - helmet,
harness, locking biners + belay device.
- Down Jacket - highly recommended for
ice and alpine climbing.
- Ski Goggles.
- Running Shoes.
- Sandals.
- Camera.
- Books, music, etc. - there will not be
many opportunities to go shopping.
Feel
free to bring any other outdoor clothing or equipment that you own.
|
Dates TBA |
Cost
$15000
CDN + GST
|
Sign Me Up!
Please
contact us for a registration package. This includes a registration form, a
physical examination form and a Waiver form. A deposit of $1500 is also
required. Please feel free to
contact us to discuss any aspect of this program. If you already have
40hr or 80hr Wilderness 1st Aid, the price will be adjusted accordingly and
days off or volunteer experience will be subsituted during these courses. |
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For more information about our programs please contact us:
COE, General Delivery,
Phone: (403) 721-2208 Fax: 1-888-314-3690 E-mail:info@coe.ca