Crevasse Rescue, Glacier Travel

Types: Alpine, Summer, Winter

Crevasse Rescue, Glacier Travel

Learn to safely navigate complex glaciated terrain safely and how to perform a rescue should it ever be needed.

Crevasse Rescue, Glacier Travel

BlackSheep's Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel Course is hands-on with time spent on a glacier.

This two-day crevasse rescue and glacier travel course is designed to give you the skills you’ll need to get into the alpine this summer. Whether it’s the Tantalus Range, Bugaboos, Wapta, the Spearhead or some other amazing but glaciated area you will have the tools and knowledge to deal safely and efficiently with any glacier travel. And should things go wrong, or you run into a problem, you will have the gear and skills to solve it yourself quickly and efficiently.

Crevasse RescueThis crevasse rescue and glacier travel course will deliver all the information that you need from the basics to some more advanced topics at a pace that works for each student. Some prior knowledge and experience working with ropes is definitely an asset, especially when it comes to the crevasse rescue techniques, but is not at all required. We will go over it all. We will even spend some time on a glacier to really work through the concepts and address the problems and complications that can arise in real life that are hard to replicate in town. To maximize the time we get to spend on snow and ice the course includes a night out in the alpine.

Topics covered include: light-weight rope kits and other glacier travel equipment, when and how to rope up, reading glaciers, winter and summer travel, snow and ice anchors, rope ascension / self-rescue and a lot lot more.

Waiver & Risk Management:

As you know, outdoor activities involve numerous hazards including, but not limited to, avalanches, crevasses, rockfall, slips and falls, equipment failure, poor weather, etc. And while we do our best to anticipate and mitigate these hazards we cannot completely eliminate them. So, as with anything fun, you will be required to sign our Participant Release to take part in one of our courses or trips.

 

Custom Dates Available

Just let us know what dates will work for you and we will put together a custom package.

Fine Print:

  • Lifetime deposits (deposits never expire)
  • Canadian course prices are in CAD
  • All courses are subject to 5% GST (tax)
  • Payments made by credit card are subject to a 2.5% credit card fee
  • Be sure to look over our Booking Policies
  • Participants will be required to sign a BlackSheep Participant Release

Day 1: Crevasse Rescue Training

  • 8:30am – Sign waivers, review goals for the day, discuss some general concepts:
    • Summer vs. winter
    • When to rope up & How to rope up
    • Anchors
    • What to do in an emergency
  • 9:30am – Head up Sea to Sky Gondola:
    • Hike into the alpine and set up camp
    • Practice roping up
    • Review equipment & systems
    • Run through rescue scenarios
    • Rope ascension / self rescue
  • 5:30pm – Wrap up for the day with some discussions around camp

Day 2: Glacier Travel

  • 8:00am or 9:00am – Quick gear check & head out from camp
    • Assessing Glaciers
    • Work on safe travel technique through complicated glaciers
    • Review snow & ice anchors
    • Practice a “real” rescue in an actual crevasse or moat
  • 2:00pm – Back at camp to pack up & hike out
Crevasse Rescue, Glacier Travel

Highlights

  • Learn when & how to rope up
  • Build snow & ice anchors
  • Practice rope ascension / self-rescue
  • Learn different rescue systems
Types Alpine, Summer, Winter
Season May through September
Prices From $349.00

What's Included

  • ACMG/IFMGA Certified Guide/Instructor
  • Technical equipment (harnesses, helmets, ropes, rock pro, etc.)
  • Group safety & emergency response equipment
  • Insurance & Permits

What's Not Included

  • Transportation to/from meeting points
  • Lift passes or other specialist transportation if required
  • Meals and accommodation
  • Trip cancellation, travel and medial insurance

Prerequisites

None

GENERAL:

  • Sunglasses & Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle (1L min)
  • Lunch
  • 35-45L pack
  • Toilet paper
  • Camera (optional)
  • Note book (optional)

CLOTHING:

  • Wool or Synthetic Socks
  • Base Layer Top & Bottom
  • Mid-Insulation Layer Top
  • Weather Layer Jacket & Pants
  • Warm Outer Jacket
  • Toque & Sun Hat
  • Light Gloves & Insulated Gloves
  • Mountaineering / Stiff Hiking Boots

GLACIER TRAVEL EQUIPMENT:

  • Helmet & Harness
  • Crevasse Rescue Equipment (we have lots of kit so you won’t need everything)
    • Belay Device (ATC or similar)
    • 4 x Locking Carabiner
      • 2 Pear
      • 2 D
    • 2-3 x Non-Locking Carabiners
    • 1 x 120cm to 240cm Sling
    • Personal Prusik*
    • 1-2 x 5m Prusik Cord Bombs* (6 or 7mm dia.)
  • Optional Equipment:
    • Micro-Traxion or SPOC
    • Tibloc
    • Prusik minding pulley (not plastic)
    • Ice Screw (16cm or longer)
  • Boot Crampons
  • Mountaineering Axe

We have some extra equipment so may be able to sort you out if you don’t have everything.

* Details on how to select a high quality cord for making prusik hitches can be found here: Comparison Review of Prusik Cord Options

If you have a system and equipment that you use for crevasse rescue and/or rock rescue definitely bring it. It’s great to practice with the kit you have and would bring with you.

  • Mountaineering Boot Rental - Daily Rental $40.00

Activities and Add-Ons for this Course

Mountaineering Boot Rental - Daily Rental

We have a variety of rental boots available including the Mammut Nordwand Light Mid GTX and the Kento Guide High GTX in sizes from men's 7.5 to 12.5. If you need boots be sure to let us know what size of street shoe you wear and we'll get it all sorted out. Please note, this is a day rate. If you need the boots for longer just add days up to 3 days which will get you a week.