Crevasse Rescue 2024-25

Ski touring on Mount Logan

Crevasse Rescue skills are essential for everyone travelling on glaciers. Glacial recession is affecting our approach to glacier travel, with new crevasses appearing each season. Even our experienced Guides are increasingly conservative on glaciers now. During this course one full day is spent on technical rope technique & rescue skills, followed by a 2nd full day in an alpine region practicing rescue scenarios and applying your crevasse rescue skills in an alpine environment.

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$335.00

To organise a Private course, click Custom Crevasse Rescue courses
Dates:
Summer program - May-Oct dates
Winter program - Nov-Mar dates
Pre Requisites:
Winter Dates
Intermediate ski/snowboarding ability with backcountry experience, Basic rope handling skills - knots, belays, use of a harness, etc.
Summer dates
Previous climbing or mountaineering experience, and experience traveling with crampons on
Categories: ,
    • Cost: $315.00
      The course cost includes:
    • 2 days of Instruction by members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides
    • All technical climbing and rescue equipment required

      Participants on the Crevasse Rescue course are responsible for:
    • All personal gear and clothing suitable for mountain and winter environments
    • Participants on all ski-based courses require avalanche safety gear for day-2 (Available for rent if needed)
    • Transportation to/from the course areas (Squamish, Whistler and possibly other locations)
    • The Day-2 Field Session may be held on Whistler/Blackcomb, lift access is required and not included in the course fee
    • Food and drinks for both field sessions

    Lift Access on Whistler/Blackcomb:
    If Day-2 is conducted on Whistler/Blackcomb, lift access is required and is not included in the course fee. Students can use their own season pass or any other lift pass they have. If students do not have a lift pass already they will need to purchase one through Whistler/Blackcomb.

    NOTE on weather and snow conditions:
    The Crevasse Rescue course Practical Field days will be conducted in all weather conditions.

    CANCELLATIONS and TRANSFERS
    Please click here for our Refund Policy

    • Winter Ski-based course prerequisites:
    • Intermediate skiing or split-boarding ability with backcountry experience (winter course dates)
    • Basic rope-handling skills (belaying, rappelling, use of harness, standard knots used in climbing systems, etc.)
    • Previous rock, ice or mountain climbing experience

      Summer-based course prerequisites:
    • Previous rock, ice or mountain climbing experience
    • Basic rope-handling skills (belaying, rappelling, use of harness, standard knots used in climbing systems, etc.)

  • This 2-day intensive Crevasse Rescue Course is for skiers, split-boarders, mountaineers, or anyone who travels on glaciated terrain during winter or summer seasons.

    Our Crevasse Rescue training program is designed to teach a variety of "tried & trusted" crevasse rescue techniques that are essential for safe glacier travel. Skills taught are based on the techniques currently used in the Mountain Guiding and rescue industries. All techniques taught reflect the most recent developments and research while at the same time ensuring that they are appropriate to recreational skiers, climbers, and mountaineers.

    Canada West Mountain School Crevasse Rescue courses focus on 3 essential areas:

    • Glacier travel & risk management practices

      Simply put, ensuring skiers, mountaineers and climbers have the skills to properly rope up for different types of glaciated terrain and choose appropriate routes to avoid falling into a crevasse.

    • Snow and Ice anchor construction

      This is truly the foundation of any rescue, and climbers should be very proficient in building a variety of anchors appropriate to varying conditions.

    • Rope rescue systems

      The main content of the course and most of the time is spent on learning and practicing rescue techniques including load transfers, raises using a mechanical advantage (pulleys), efficient use of gear and ascending/descending techniques.

  • The first day of the Crevasse Rescue course will be a technical rope skills and systems session held in the training bluffs in Squamish, BC, about 1 hour drive north of Vancouver. The 2nd day will be held in the backcountry areas behind Whistler or Blackcomb mountains; or, in the alpine region of Mount Seymour Provincial Park. Alternate locations may be used depending on alpine and weather conditions at the time of the course.

    Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from both Squamish on Day-1, and Whistler or Seymour on Day-2. We encourage participants to ride-share and rarely have had any problems with students getting to and from courses, but we cannot guarantee that a ride will be available. If you have any concerns about transportation please contact our office before you register.

  • The Crevasse Rescue course will start in Squamish on Day-1 at 8:30 am at a prearranged meeting location. The first day will be held in a variety of teaching locations in and around Squamish and will wrap up around 4:30 pm.

    Day-2 will be held in an Alpine region of Garibaldi Provincial Park adjacent to the Blackcomb Mountain ski area; or, in the backcountry of Mount Seymour. Students will meet in Whistler Village or at Mount Seymour at 8:00 am at a prearranged meeting location. This will be a full day in the alpine and participants should expect to return between 4:00 and 5:00 pm (possibly later in the summer months)

    Specific meeting locations will be detailed in a pre-course package sent out before the course.

  • WINTER Crevasse Rescue Course Gear List: - Canada West Mountain School WINTER Crevasse Rescue Course Gear List

    SUMMER Crevasse Rescue Course Gear List: - Canada West Mountain School SUMMER Crevasse Rescue Course Gear List

    In addition, Canada West Mountain School supplies all other technical and safety gear. Please go over the list before the course to ensure that you are properly prepared and feel free to contact our office if you have any questions. Keep in mind that you will be spending all of your time outdoors in all weather. Much of your time will be spent on snow, with temperatures ranging from -20 on Winter courses, to +25 on Summer courses. The weather can vary from one extreme to the other, so plan your gear appropriately. It is recommended that you also have a set of spare street clothes for the end of the course after you have left the mountains.

    If you require rental gear, please ensure that you arrange this with a rental agency well in advance of your course date!

    Here are a few stores in the region that supply good service and quality outdoor equipment. If you need to purchase or rent equipment, please contact the store well in advance of the course to ensure that what you require is available!
    Valhalla Pure Squamish www.squamishgear.com
    Station Square, Squamish 604-892-9092 (rentals available)
    Mountain Equipment Co-op www.mec.ca
    111 East 2nd Ave, Vancouver 604-872-7858 (rentals available)
    1341 Main St, N. Vancouver 604-990-4417 (rentals available)
    Climb On Equipment
    38165 2nd Avenue   Squamish, BC 604-892-2243 (rentals available)
    Excess Backcountry - Whistler
    Suite 106-4154 Village Green, Whistler, 604-932-6409 (rentals available)
    Escape Route
    40222 Glenalder Pl, Squamish, 604-892-3228 (rentals available)
    113-4350 Lorimer Rd, Whistler (rentals available)

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