Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is the leading mountaineering guiding company in the Canadian Rockies with many, many summits and glaciers under our belt. In guiding both backpackers and mountaineers we have realized that by combining both disciplines we can offer some truly unique mountain adventures!

Join us for an adventure that combines hiking and mountaineering: The Kananaskis Alpine Traverse. The objective: a traverse of the peaks and glaciers of the Main Divide from Aster Lake in the south to the Robertson Glacier in the north.

Located just south of Banff National Park, the Kananaskis region continues with the best of the alpine and sub-alpine worlds of the Canadian Rockies: peaks, glaciers, lakes, meadows and forest, all superlative! The experience of this traverse, too, encompasses the best of both: traversing glaciers in the early morning light, peaks stretching in every direction, cool, shady forest trails and wildflowers everywhere!

This traverse is designed for very fit, athletic hikers and beginner mountaineers (no previous mountaineering experience required). We go early in the summer when there"s still plenty of snow and climbing conditions are not too difficult.

Itinerary

This is an ambitious and strenuous program that encompasses both superlative experience and scenery. The experience of backpacking into the wilderness with our sights set on climbing one of the 11'000 foot peaks of the Rockies gives this trip an expedition feel and provides the motivation to drive us to continually push forward to reach our goal!

Day 1: Meet in Canmore at 8:00 am. After issuing food and gear we pack up then drive south into the Rockies to Kananaskis Lakes which will take just over an hour.

We enjoy a leisurely hike around the Upper Lake for 5.5 km before striking into the forest towards Hidden Lake and much more physical exertion. Working around Hidden Lake we reach the trail that climbs high above Foch Creek to take us into the high alpine basins above. We camp by Aster Lake, one of the prettiest alpine lakes in the region. Distance: 11 km, total elevation gain: 575 meters.

Day 2: Weather and conditions permitting our objective today will be Mount Joffre. At 3450 m. this glaciated peak dominates this southern region of the Rockies. In early July with lots of snow on the glacier it is a suitable climb for beginner mountaineers giving a taste of glacier travel plus use of ice axe and crampons. In the event of poor weather or conditions there are several alternative lesser peaks we can climb. Distance: 10km, total elevation gain and loss: 1150m.

Day 3: We maintain the alpine tempo today with a traverse of the exposed Northover Ridge with the potential of climbing 3003m Mount Northover on the way. The views are fantastic including back towards Joffre, the previous day's adventure. From the end of the ridge we drop down to Three Isle Lake where we camp back near tree line. Distance 11.3km, total elevation gain and loss: 700m.

Day 4: British Columbia is just over South Kananaskis Pass just beyond the Lake. We cross the Main Divide here and travel a further couple of km to Beatty Lake. From here it's back into the alpine, to Beatty Col which we cross to reach Leroy Creek and North Kananaskis Pass bringing us past Maude Lake to the Turbine Canyon campground. Distance 12.9km, total elevation gain: 975m, loss 950m.

Day 5: Looking into the deeply-gauged canyon by the campground to see the water raging far below you'll immediately understand Turbine Canyon's name. From here we head south across the meadows to Lawson Lake and with its expansive views. We then drop into the Upper Kananaskis River valley which we follow downstream to Upper Kananaskis Lake, our starting point 5 days before. Distance 15km, total elevation gain: 575m, loss: 400m.

Logistics

Meeting Place and Time

The program begins at the Yamnuska office at 8:00am on the first day. The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park. See this map for location.

Please ensure that you have your hiking equipment with you.

Guides and Group Size

This trip will be guided by our mountaineering guides who are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. 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 four.

Accommodation and Meals

On the trail you will be staying in modern, lightweight 2- and 3-person weather-proof tents.

Accommodation in Canmore is not included. For your convenience we can arrange hotel accommodations in Canmore for $160 per night. Double or single occupancy, the cost is the same. 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 5. Groups generally go out for dinner in Canmore with the guide on the final evening (not included).

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.

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 403 609 8790, 403 609 0300, 403 609 1490 or 403 609 8505 for taxis in Canmore.

We supply transportation from Canmore to the hiking trails.

Gear

Clothing and Equipment

We supply personal mountaineering gear, 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 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)

In particular it is important that you have good, waterproof hiking or mountaineering boots for this trip. Please contact us for advice if you are unsure whether your boots are adequate or if you have any other questions or concerns.

Booking Information

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A deposit of  %35 is required at time of booking. Final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the trip.

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.

Insurance

In Kananaskis Country there may be a charge for rescue if you need to be evacuated by professional services.  We strongly recommend a travel and medical insurance that will cover you in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Yamnuska offers a "Visitors to Canada Plan and Gold Trip Cancellation and Interruption Plan" through Travel Guard insurance. These plans offer comprehensive coverage for all your travel needs including trip cancellation/interruption, emergency medical expenses, and personal effects loss. For more information and to purchase this coverage visit Travel Guard's website.