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Mount Robson, monarch of the Canadian Rockies, towers over Berg Lake and the extensive sub alpine forests and tundra stretching to the northwest. It is the constant
and amazing backdrop on this, our most relaxed hiking trip.
Forsaking fully laden backpacks, we
will fly into the heart of Mount Robson Provincial Park, to hike and
explore this spectacular area for two days before we don backpacks and
hike for two easy days back to civilization.
This is a great trip for a first
backpacking experience or for those who like to keep backpacks to a
minimum!
CLIMB MOUNT ROBSON
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2008 Date
August 7 - 12
Cost
$1495.00 Canadian includes guides,
helicopter to Robson Pass, camp fees,
out-trip meals, group camping gear and local transfers.
Not included: Canmore
accommodation, Gratuities & 5%
Goods and Service Tax (GST)*. Cancellation insurance available for $80.
Optional pre and post trip
accommodation
packages are available from $80 per person per night for
shared room lodging ($160 for single occupancy). Purchase
with booking. Subject to availability.
* a 50% rebate of the GST is available to
non-residents of Canada.
Currency Exchange Calculator
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Meeting Place and Time
We
will meet you at our Yamnuska Mountain Adventures office at 8.30am the
morning of Day 1.
Our office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. See this map
for location.
For
your greater convenience we offer a pre-meeting shuttle service within
Canmore. Please let us know in advance where you will be staying if
needing this service. Pickup will occur between 8.00 and 8.20am.
Please ensure that you have your hiking equipment with you.
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Program Itinerary
Day 1: Canmore to Mount Robson Park
At 8.30am we meet at the
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures office in Canmore. We'll go over the trip with you and check to see that you are properly outfitted
before leaving for Mount Robson.
We drive
(3.5hours) along what is arguably one of the most spectacular
highways in the world, the Banff - Jasper Parkway to the town of
Jasper. We will stop en-route for a short hike to stretch our legs at
the Columbia Icefields. From Jasper we head 80km west on the
Yellowhead Highway to Mount Robson Provincial Park where we will first
see the peak of Robson looming high above. We camp at Robson Meadows
for the night.
Day 2: Fly to Robson Pass and Berg Lake
From the nearby helipad we fly 15 minutes to the northern side of
Mount Robson, landing near Robson Pass (1600m). While mere minutes
separate us from the road we couldn't feel further away. Across Berg
Lake the icefalls cloaking Mount Robson keep up a cacophony of falling
ice. We are on treeline and surrounded by tundra-like meadows. It
is a stunning place!
After moving 2km to the campsite and setting up for the next 3 nights,
we can walk over to Berg Lake and soak up views for the rest of the
day.
Day 3: Day Hike to Snowbird Pass
After breakfast the day's objective is Snowbird Pass and
one of the finest hikes in the area. We approach via alpine meadows,
with marmots sunning themselves on rocks, to finally reach the Pass and
a superb view of the Robson Glacier and the eastern flanks of the
peak. Distance 21.6. Elevation gain 780m.
Robson Glacier, Mount Robson Provincial Park
Day
4: Day hike to Mumm Basin
Another day of hiking in the shadow of the Monarch and the views
continue! This time we head to Mumm Basin to the north of Berg Lake
and a marvellous vista of both Berg Lake and the North Face of Mount
Robson. We can then traverse high above the valley to the Hargreaves
Glacier to make a circuit that will bring us back to Berg Lake.
Distance 14.8 km. Elevation gain 500m.
Day 5:
Berg Lake - Whitehorn
Well, we can’t put off the backpacking forever, and now it’s time to head down the valley. Carrying our personal gear and a share of group camping gear, we hike
down valley past three major waterfalls: White, Falls of the Pool and
the magnificent Emperor Falls to arrive at Whitehorn Camp where we spend
the night. Distance 11.5km. Elevation loss 525m.
Walking to Whitehorn, Mount Robson Hike
Day 6:
Whitehorn to the road, return to Canmore
After a leisurely start we drop into the lower valley to skirt the tranquil waters of Kinney Lake then hike in the shade of lush Columbian rain forest before arriving at the trailhead 4 hours later. We then drive back along the Icefields Parkway to Canmore
and the end of our journey for hot showers, comfort and an evening of celebration awaits us.
Distance 10.9km. Elevation loss 265m.
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How difficult is it? How fit and experienced need you be?
This
trip is rated easy to moderate. Backpack weights are
moderate. On the 2nd day the group will be carrying the heaviest loads, food and
gear for the entire trip but only for 2km of flat trail.
Days 3 and 4 will require daypacks only. On the backpack portion (last
2
days) participants will be carrying personal clothing and gear plus a fair
share of food and group gear (tents, stoves etc). By keeping personal
gear light, pack weights need not exceed 14kg (32lbs) on the 1st
backpacking day. On the last 2 days packs need not exceed 12kg
(28lbs). Please read our
Travelling Light & Making Backpacking More Fun
for information and suggestions for clothing and equipment.
Prior hiking experience is
not a prerequisite but is recommended. Participants must be in good physical
condition and able to carry a backpack on a
largely downhill and flat trail for two days.
The trails are generally
good. We will hike a regular and steady
pace that conserves energy but you must be in as good
as possible hiking shape before you come. We cannot
emphasize enough that training pays great dividends in enjoyment. We
suggest you train by walking and/or cycling and/or hiking (ideally in
hilly terrain).
Visit our Trip Difficulty Comparison Chart.
Viewing Robson Glacier from Snowbird Pass, Mount Robson Hike
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Accommodation and Meals
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Campfire at Robson Pass, Mount Robson Hike |
On the trail you
will be staying in modern, lightweight 2- and 1-person weather-proof
tents.
The first and last
night's accommodation in Canmore is NOT included. For your
convenience we can arrange bed
and breakfast hotel rooms for these and other nights at $160
per night. These will be at the recommended
Westridge Country Inn. Double or single occupancy, the cost is the
same. For those wishing to defray this cost we will try to pair them
with other participants. This accommodation can be booked with the trip
online or by calling us. Subject to availability.
You can also make
your own arrangements. Check our
links page for a range
of Canmore accommodations.
Excess luggage can be left at
your hotel or our office.
We supply all meals and trail snacks from
lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6. Groups generally go out for dinner
in Canmore with the guide on the final evening (own cost).
Trail cuisine is constructed from lightweight ingredients including
our Yamnuska custom-made dehydrated dinners. Please specify any special dietary requirements you have on
booking so we can incorporate them into our menus.
In case of more complicated diets a surcharge may apply.
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Guides and Group Size
Yamnuska Mountain Adventure guides are certified through the
Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Our professional guides have
extensive experience in the Canadian Rockies. Guides also have
advanced wilderness first aid training and heritage interpretation
accreditation. Guides carry emergency equipment including a first aid
kit, bear spray and radio.
There will be a maximum of eight guests and a minimum of two.
Yamnuska is licensed to operate in Mount Robson Provincial Park by B.C. Parks.
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Getting to Canmore and Transportation
Canmore is situated 100km (65miles) west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. It is well served by scheduled bus lines both from Calgary (airport and downtown), Banff (20km west) and points further west. Calgary International Airport is well connected to major cities throughout North America and Europe. Once in Canmore we will supply all transport needed for the trip.
Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. Greyhound Bus
Lines (1 800 661 8747) serves Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada
Highway. Call 609 8790, 609 0300, 609 1490 or 609 8505 for taxis in Canmore.
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Clothing and Equipment
We
supply group camping and cooking equipment plus a full emergency and first-aid kit. You will need to bring personal equipment (backpack, sleeping bag etc) and clothing. Yamnuska
Mountain Adventures does have rental and
retail equipment such as sleeping bags, mats,
and backpacks.
Rental Gear List. Contact us in advance to reserve.
What you bring will have a big impact on the quality of your experience,
we especially urge you to read our
notes on lightweight
gear and clothing.
Please download the list below and make sure
that you will have the items listed.
Clothing and Equipment List (pdf)
Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
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Gear and Clothing Sales
Yamnuska Mountain
Adventures now has a range of backpacking equipment
and clothing for sale including recommended light-weight packs, sleeping bags, sleeping mats and
clothing. Clients signed up for a
Yamnuska Program receive 5% off retail items, with
larger discounts available on our package deals.
Details on packing light & recommended items.
Catalogue and purchase information. |
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Fishing
Berg Lake either does not have fish or if so fishes very poorly. It is
not worth bringing fishing gear.
Insurance
In Mount Robson Provincial Park you
may have to pay for evacuation should you hurt yourself or fall ill
(not astronomically expensive). Ensure that you have adequate travel
insurance or that your health plan will cover you while here.
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To Book
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A deposit of $550CDN
(including GST) is required at time of booking. Final payment is due eight
weeks before the start of the trip. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest
you take our cancellation insurance for an extra non-refundable $80, this
can only be purchased at the time of booking.
For detailed Booking Instructions and Conditions, click here.
Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the trip. Click here for waiver copy.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need to know anything else about this hike.
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