Custom Guided Mountaineering

Meeting point

Where our trip jumps off from depends on your objective! We will connect you with your guide before your trip date to establish a convenient start point.

Accommodation

With most trips commencing from Squamish BC, we recommend booking a hotel in either Squamish or the adjacent towns of Whistler or Vancouver. While on the trips, you can expect to find accommodation as either tenting or based out of a mountain hut. Mountain huts range from basic to quite comfy and well-stocked and cost $25 - $45/night/person. While working with us to create your custom trip, all costs are presented and approved before moving forward.

Meals

All custom trips have the option of the meals being supplied by Altus at the cost of $75/day/person. Alternatively, guests are more than welcome to take the reigns of their alpine dining. We will support with cooking/dining equipment and guidance if needed.  

For larger groups, we may also arrange a personal cook to join our trips.

Guide fees:

1:1 (guide to guest) $650/day

1:2 (guide to guest) $375/person/day

1:3 (guide to guest) $275/person/day

1:4 (guide to guest) $225/person/day

Our custom trips are based on guide days. All other expenses (ex. food, hut, transportation) are not included or are optional. The prices above do not include 5% GST.

*Most mountaineering routes are only possible with a maximum 1:2 ratio.  Easier objectives may be possible with a higher ratio at the discretion of the guide.

Accommodation

While on the trip, we may spend the night in mountain huts or backcountry camps. These may range from $20 - $45/night/person. Guests are responsible for their guide's portion of the hut/camping fee. 

All Valley accommodation will be our clients' responsibility to arrange and pay for; we are happy to assist in this and advise the best option.

Meals

All custom trips have the option of the meals being supplied by Altus at the cost of $75/day/person (minus 1 day, as breakfast & lunch on day 1 and the last dinner are not included).  Alternatively, guests are more than welcome to take the reigns of their alpine dining, and we may support cooking/dining equipment and guidance if needed.  

For larger groups, we may also arrange a personal cook to join our trips.

Travel

Depending on the objective, we may charge a travel day for the guide to make it to the starting point of the mountaineering trip. This is billed out at 50% of guide day fees.

Travelling with the guide on a trip is billed at $0.60/km for highway or simple back roads travel.

For 4x4 roads where the potential for additional wear and tear on the vehicle, the rate for travel will depend on the length and difficulty of the road (common on peaks such as Garibaldi or Tricouni) 

Gear List

Note: Gear requirements can change based on trip and conditions. Let us know if you have any questions!

Personal Gear

• Mountain Boots – full-leather, They should be well broken-in and waterproofed with snow seal or similar
• Sleeping bag – good to approx. -5 or -10 degrees Celsius
• Sleeping pad – Therm-a-rest style or closed-cell foam
• Backpack – 40-80 litre capacity
• Summit-pack – 20-40 litre capacity (Optional)
• Outer layer jacket with hood – Gore-Tex style
• Lightweight outer layer waterproof pants – Gore-Tex style
• Lightweight thermal layers – top & bottom, Polypro, Icebreaker, etc.
• Climbing/hiking pants – nylon, fleece, Schoeller, etc. (1 pair)
• Gloves (medium weight) – wool or poly-pro (2 pair)
• Waterproof gloves or mitts (gloves work best) (2 pairs)
• Warm parka/jacket – down, synthetic, fleece or pile (1)
• Sweater or vest – wool, synthetic, fleece or down (1)
• Socks – wool or synthetic blend (2-3 pairs)
• Toque/warm hat – wool or fleece (1)
• Sunglasses –  UV block  with good eye coverage (1pr)
• Ski goggles
• Headlamp with new batteries
• Personal 1st aid (blister kit, toothbrush, blister kit, toilet paper, etc.)
• Misc. personal items (camera, journal, etc.)
• Sunscreen – minimum SPF 45
• Water bottles/hydration system – minimum 1 litre
• Small “thermos” for hot drinks (optional)
• Walking pole(s) – Optional but helpful for the approach/descent
• Gaiters (1 pair) – Optional if built-in paint gaiters or boot gaiters
• Personal eating utensils – cup, bowl, spoon
• Knife – Swiss army style
• Tape / Repair kit

Communal equipment: 

• Lightweight 2 or 3 person tent
• Single burner stove and fuel*
• Cooking sets (2 pots per 3 people)*
• Compass and map
• GPS

Technical equipment:

• Ice axe and technical climbing tool*
• Climbing harness – seat harness only*
• Helmet*
• 3 locking carabineers*
• 1 belay device*
• Crampons – adjusted to your boots (1 pair)*

*Supplied by Altus if required

Booking Policy

Please take a moment to read and understand our policies before booking! Booking, payment, cancellation and weather policies, as well as FAQ, may be found here.