5.9 Climber climbs: The Grand Wall, Sickle to the University Wall and the Shlanay in Squamish
It’s been a pleasure the guide Eric over the last few days out around Squamish. Been an action packed few days of rock climbing. Eric being a solid 5.9 rock climber with a total of 7 days rock climbing EVER in his life…. He is doing very well. Eric truly is a natural climber. I…
Grand Wall guided today!
What a fun day out today on the Grand Wall in Squamish BC! Such a great route. Thanks for the day Eric! Was dry other than the step over to the start of the 5,10b traverse pitch and the upper 5.10a slab pitch had one wet foot hold. Other than that the rest of the route was totally dry even the word. It’s good to go!
Spring is here! Rock climbing in Squamish
The skiing has been incredible lately and so has the rock climbing! We are expecting a great spell of high pressure on the Coast for the next week so dust off your rock shoes and join us for a Trad course, Rock Rescue refresher or a Multipitch climb up the Chief. Bring on Springtime!
Spearhead Traverse
Spring is coming.. well it might feel like it has been here all winter down in the valley. The bikes are out, and the rock climbing is prime. However up high in the mountains, up higher above the ski lifts its still winter. With a good looking snowpack in the alpine with a snow…
Ice Season is Here!
The Winter season is underway and while the snow continues to fall, the ice is plumping up like a Christmas Turkey. We’ve had some really great days already in Whistler and Squamish thanks to some well timed cold snaps. Ice clinics and courses are happening on the Duffey Lake road and if the forecast holds…
Single-Pitch Rock Climbing
Let Altus Mountain Guides local Squamish rock climbing guides show you and your friends the best areas and places to rock climb in Squamish. Sample the goods and follow our guides for a day to some of the many great single pitch rock climbing areas. No matter your ability, beginner or expert, routes vary from 5.4 to 5.14+. If all you want is a top rope set up so you can climb all day, we know the best places to rock climb in Squamish. Or if you are interested in learning to rock climb on your own, with the help of an experience ACMG guide. Look under our Learn / Rock Climbing section for more details. We have a vast array of climbing courses. We also offer privet and custom climbing instruction.
Mount Assiniboine North Ridge Trip Report
Last week I (Ross) wrapped up an excellent alpine blast far east of my Coastal town. First stop was the Bugaboos for 5 days of alpine rock with Cheryl from California (see previous blog), A lap of Mount Temple with Shannon from Vancouver and to finish off an ascent of Mount Assiniboine North Ridge with Lance from Calgary/UK.
Mount Tricouni North Ridge- Trip Report
Earlier this week myself and fellow guide Brent Phillips climbed Mount Tricouni via the North Ridge. I have climbed this route and a few other feature a couple times now and I really recommend visiting this peak, the access is great, beautiful setting and the north ridge is interesting and challenging on good rock. A great day trip.
Abbot Pass and Bugaboos Trip
What a wonderful week of guiding with perfect weather! Starting off at the Abbot Hut with a summit of Mount Victoria and Finishing in the Bugaboos. What more could one ask for in a week of mountaineering. We climbed over 12000’ feet in 5 days and enjoyed 4 beautiful summits. With the porters taking our stuff to the hut and having all the food made by Rosie it all came together to become a fun trip. Look forward to next year with the same guys on another adventure into the mountains.
What is Backcountry Skiing?
Do you have a craving to ski on ungroomed, all-natural snow in some of the most beautiful wilderness mountains' have to offer? If your answer is yes, then backcountry skiing can provide the adventure you're looking for.
Backcountry skiing generally occurs in sparsely populated areas outside designated ski resorts - truly making it an adventure. Human power is frequently the means of access and ascent, but some adventures may require helicopters and ski lifts may be used so long as the land accessed is backcountry.
Types of Backcountry Skiing
According to Wikipedia, backcountry skiing can include:
- Frontcountry: off-trail within ski area boundaries where ski lifts and emergency services are close at hand.
- Slackcountry: terrain outside of the ski area boundary that is accessed from a lift without having to use skins or bootpack. Usually this also includes area with access back to the lift as well. For purists, this could also include where people use a car as a shuttle.
- Sidecountry: terrain outside marked ski area boundaries yet accessible via ski lift. Typically sidecountry requires the skier to hike, skin, or climb within ski area boundaries to reach or return from the sidecountry area, or both.
- Backcountry: skiing in remote areas not within ski area boundaries. Ski patrol, marked ski runs, grooming, snowmaking, and ski lifts are absent.
Want to Try Backcountry Skiing?
Give Altus Mountain Guides a call to start your adventure today +1.604.848.8543
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Altus mountain guides is a group of motivated professionals dedicated to providing our clients with outstanding quality in the mountains with safe adventurous trips. From our base in Squamish and Whistler BC we provide you access to the most amazing mountain experiences the West Coast has to offer. Our exciting itineraries showcase the Coast Range but reach beyond to the interior ranges of the Selkirkʼs and Purcellʼs and onto the Rockies. We also offer trips internationally from the historic and classic European Alps to the windswept wilds of Patagonia.