Guided Climbs

2008 IAG Guided Climbs

Elkhorn

The second highest peak on Vancouver Island, Elkhorn is the “Matterhorn of the Island Alps” and an excellent introduction to alpine climbing. The classic North West Ridge was the line of first ascent by an Alpine Club expedition led by A.O Wheeler in 1912. We are happy to guide guests with little or no climbing experience on this route in a pleasant two day outing. Guest to guide ratio up to 3:1.

Dates: Running June to September. Contact us for available dates.

Price: $360/person. (at 3:1 ratio)

Included in the price: Guide, use of harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food, and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organized between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

Helicopter Accessed Alpine Climbing Adventures:

With the use of a helicopter for access a number of very exciting alpine ascents on Vancouver Island become accessible in a single day trip. These include Mount Matchlee, Victoria Peak and Rugged Mountain to name a few. All of these peaks have a number of routes from straightforward scrambles to more technical lines. Guest to guide ratios will depend on the technicality of the route chosen. Contact us for more information and a quote.

Photo by Philip Stone

Mount Septimus

Mount Septimus is perhaps the most dramatic alpine feature in Southern Strathcona Park. Rising above the parks most famous Alpine lake, Cream Lake, a climb of this mountain as part of a traverse from the Bedwell to Price valleys makes a wonderful four day outing. No previous climbing experience is required. Client to guide ratio up to 3:1.

Dates: Running June to September. Contact us for available dates.

Price: $720 per person (at 3:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide, use of harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organised between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

The Comox Glacier Triple Crown – Argus, Harmston and Red Pillar

The Comox Glacier dominates the skyline from the towns of Courtenay and Comox and fuels the mountain imaginings of all who gaze on it. Perched amongst the Comox and Cliffe glaciers sit Mounts Argus, Harmston and the Red Pillar. A trip up and over the Comox Galcier to climb all three of these peaks makes a wonderful four day mountain adventure for any fit hiker regardless of their experience level. Client up to guide ratio 3:1.

Dates: Running June to September. Contact us for available dates. Special 3 day trip running 22-24 July ’08. Contact us for details.

Price: $720/person (at 3:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide, use of harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organised between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

The Golden Hinde

The lure of the highest peak is always a strong one. But with the Golden Hinde the appeal is even more so because of the remoteness of this, the highest mountain on Vancouver Island. Really more of a committed hiking trip than a technical outing, an ascent of the Hinde is but one day of a magical 8 day traverse on foot of some of the finest mountain wilderness anywhere. A must do for any island mountain enthusiast. Client to guide ratio 4:1.

Dates: Running July to September. Contact us for available dates.

Price: $1080 per person (at 4:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide, use of harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organised between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

Rambler Peak

Set in the wilderness of the dramatic upper Elk Valley Rambler peak offers one of the finest moderate technical rock routes in the island alps on it’s west buttress. 650 metres of clean basalt climbing never more difficult than 5.6 leads directly to the summit of the peak and then to a dramatic descent into the vast granitic slabs of elk pass. 3 day trip. Island Alpine Guides Rock 2 or equivalent experience is recommended. Client to guide ratio up to 2:1.

Dates: Running June to September. Contact us for available dates.

Price: $675 per person (at 2:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide, use of rock shoes, harness, helmet and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organised between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

Photo by Philip Stone

Mount Colonel Foster – The full summit traverse

While the east face of “The Colonel” is perhaps it’s best known aspect the truly all encompassing approach to this impressive mountain is a traverse of all of it’s summits. A superb alpine traverse with huge exposure and varied and interesting climbing, this is without a doubt an island classic. Most of the climbing is fourth and low fifth class with a few moves up to 5.8. All can be done in mountain boots. You should have some scrambling experience, Island Alpine Guides Rock 2 or equivalent, be comfortable with exposure, and be willing to bivouac in the open to join us on this climb. The trip takes three days and is done at a maximum client to guide ratio of 2:1.

Dates: Running July to September. Contact us for available dates.

Price: $675 per person (at 2:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide, use of harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organized between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

Photo by Philip Stone

Mount Waddington

The highest mountain in BC has a lure of course but Waddington is a very special peak for reasons beyond it’s place at the top of the elevation list. Set in a vast and dramatic wilderness the height of Waddington is particularly noticeable when you stand on it’s 4015m summit and gaze uon the ocean! Our week long trip into the Wadding ton area aims to climb a few other peaks in the area before heading for the main objective. If you have some climbing experience and Waddington has been on your list (as it is for mountaineers the world over!) contact us for more details.

Photo by Andrew Findlay

ISLAND ALPINE GUIDES

Comox Glacier Climb/Hike

For many who have gazed up from sea level to the Comox Glacier the lure of standing on top of it is irresistible. Join our guides on a three day hike to the summit of the glacier. The views looking down from the top back to sea level are amazing. Although mostly a hike some hikers may need the additional security of a rope on some of the rock steps and definitely across the top of the Glacier.

Dates: Running June to September. Contact us for available dates. Special trip including ascent of Argus Mountain running 22-24 July ’08. Contact us for details.

Price: $405 (at 6:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food, tents and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organized between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.