| Alpine Club of Canada | Edmonton Section |
Leadership courses
- About our Leadership courses
- Cost of Leadership Courses, and Subsidies for Active Trip Leaders
- Trip Leaders Orientation
- The North Face (TNF) National Summer and Winter Leadership Courses
- Courses Offered by Rescue Dynamics
- Scrambles Leadership
- ACC Mountain Navigation
- ACC Emergency Mountaineering First Aid (EMFA)
- ACC Rock Solid Leadership
- ACC Emergency Mountaineering First Aid (EMFA)
- ACC Rock Rescue Leadership
- ACC Summer Mountain Leadership
- Avalanche Safety Training (AST) Level 1
- ACC Avalanche Safety Training (AST) Level 2
- ACC Waterfall Ice Leadership
About our Leadership courses
Amateur Leaders are the backbone of the Alpine Club – providing beginner, intermediate, and advanced trips to other members, and allowing Sections to boast broad and varied trip schedules. Leadership courses provide our amateur trip leaders with the opportunity to enhance their hard and soft skills related to planning and managing outdoor trips.
Teachers of our leadership courses are experienced mountain guides, certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG).
Registration for courses beginning with the heading "ACC" is only open to ACC members. All other courses are open to the public.
Active Trip Leaders will have preference for course participation if the course is over-subscribed. The Edmonton Section expects that Leadership Course participants will continue to lead trips subsequent to their courses and/or assist with Section courses such as Summer in the Mountains and Winter in the Mountains.
Request an application through our Leadership Programs Director.
Cost of Leadership Courses, and Subsidies for Active Trip Leaders
Applicants will be registered for a course on receipt of their application, waiver, and payment.Applicants must be an Edmonton Section member to be considered for a subsidy.
Active Trip Leaders:
Active Trip Leaders (applicants who have led at least one trip for the ACC Edmonton Section within the previous 18 months) are eligible for a subsidy of 50% of the cost of the leadership course, as indicated on the course application. A request for subsidy should be made at the time of application for a Leadership Course, with a summary of trips lead for the ACC Edmonton Section in the previous year.
Subsidy application form
Future Trip Leaders:
Other members can apply for a partial refund (maximum 50%) of an ACC Edmonton Section Leadership Course fee if they lead Section trips by the following season after taking a leadership course. Copies of waivers or trip lists and receipts may be required to receive a refund. To apply for a partial refund after taking a course, please complete and submit this subsidy application form.
Longer Courses (TNF and Rock Solid Leadership):
Subsidies of 50% will be offered to Edmonton Section applicants who have a demonstrated history of leadership in the Edmonton Section and/or the National ACC. The Edmonton Section will subsidize a maximum of 2 applicants to the Summer and Winter TNF courses.
Subsidy Approval:
Subsidies will be approved by the Climbing and Safety Committee.
First Aid Courses:
The Edmonton Section considers first aid courses as being a necessary minimum requirement for its leaders. It does not offer subsidies for these courses.
Avalanche Safety Training (AST) - Level 1 and 2:
It is recommended that all participants on winter trips will have taken an AST - Level 1 course. AST Level 1 skills should be updated by backcountry participants on a regular basis. Links to providers offering AST 1 courses are on our website. All winter trip leaders should take AST - Level 2 and Winter Ski Leadersip courses, offered by the Edmonton Section on alternate years. Subsidies are offered to active trip leaders for the Edmonton Section courses.
Cancellation and refunds:
Applicants cancelling within 2 weeks of the course will not have their course costs refunded.
ACC Edmonton Section Trip Leaders Orientation Evenings
The ACC Edmonton Section hosts an orientation session for trip leaders each spring and fall. The evenings include presentations and discussion on trip planning and preparation, legal issues, equipment, and leadership and communications.
Trip leaders must attend an orientation at least once every two years: we encourage leaders to attend more frequently to review content and any updates, and to liase with other leaders.
Look for dates of Trip Leaders Orientation Evenings on this website and in the Breeze.
The North Face (TNF) National Summer and Winter Leadership Courses
- Goals
- Course descriptions for the TNF Leadership Courses are available on the National ACC website:
- Participants' fees are subsidized by The North Face, the Alpine Club of Canada, and the Edmonton Section. All applicants from the Edmonton section will be reviewed by our Climbing and Safety Committee. Applicants must have a demonstrated history of leadership in the Edmonton Section and/or other sections or the National ACC. A maximum of two applicants will be endorsed by the Edmonton Section for each course. A commitment for a return to the Club in volunteer energy will be sought from all members who attend.
- Dates
-
- TNF National Winter Leadership Course
January 17-24, 2010
Application deadline: November 1, 2009. - TNF Summer Leadership Course
August, 2010 (exact dates to be confirmed)
Application deadline: May 1, 2010
- TNF National Winter Leadership Course
- Cost
- Fees for successful Edmonton section applicants are subsidized by the Edmonton section.
- Contact
- Applications for the TNF courses should be submitted directly to the ACC National Office (adventures@alpineclubofcanda.ca).
- Applications should also be forwarded to the ACC Edmonton Section Leadership Course Coordinator (leadership@alpineclub-edm.org) for endorsement from our section.
Scrambles Leadership course
- Goals
- This two-day weekend is designed to improve leadership skills and build confidence for those leading ACC trips on scrambling terrain. Participants must have solid scrambling skills and be comfortable leading groups on moderate scrambles.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:- Group management
- Rroute selection
- Route finding
- Dealing with emergencies
- Communication devices
- Risk management
- Pacing
- Attributes of a good leader
- Gear for the leader¹s pack
- Assessing weather on trips
- Choosing appropriate climbs for club trips
Travel on simple snow terrain may be included depending upon conditions. - Dates
- June 27 and 28, 2010
- Locations
- Nordegg and Columbia Icefields.
- Cost:
- $220 ($110 if subsidised)
- Contact
- leadership@alpineclub-edm.org
| ACC Mountain Navigation Course | |
| Map reading, compass use, bearings, back bearings, triangulation, dead reckoning, aiming off, handrails, altimeter use, backstops, whiteout navigation, wands, even satellite GPS and a whole bunch more jam-packed into two fun filled days. Mix of classroom and outdoor exercises. For details see www.rescuedynamics.ca/summer.htm#Navigation. | |
| Location | Canmore/Banff |
| Date | May 8 & 9, 2010 |
| Price | $220 ($110 if subsidised) |
| Contact | leadership@alpineclub-edm.org |
ACC Emergency Mountaineering First Aid (EMFA)
- Goals
- This two day course was specially designed to address common traumatic and environmental injuries encountered by climbers and skiers.
- The curriculum was developed by extensively researching the nature of outdoor mountain injuries and realistically evaluating the information and techniques that could best serve the average recreational mountain or wilderness traveler.
- For details see www.rescuedynamics.ca/emergency.htm#EMFA.
- Dates
- September 25 and 26, 2010
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
- Cost
- $200
- Contact
- leadership@alpineclub-edm.org
ACC Rock Rescue Leadership
Photos by M. Berkhout
- Goals
- The course consists of two days of single rope rescue systems (SRT) for dealing with an injured partner. We will look at the basic technical rope aspects of rock rescue. We will study lowers, raises, simple pulley systems, some basic lifts and carries and some safety systems to prevent accidents.
- In order to get the most from this course you should also review your knots and rope procedures before arriving.
- For details see www.rescuedynamics.ca/courses/res/RockResLet.htm
- Dates
- May 2011
- Locations
- Front Ranges of Jasper National Park
- Cost
- $200 ($100 if subsidised)
- Contact
- Email our leadership@alpineclub-edm.org
ACC Rock Solid Leadership Course
The ACC Edmonton Section is hosting a Rock Solid Leadership Course open to members from all Alpine Club of Canada Sections. This is a seven day course during which a number of hard and soft skills sessions related to leading club trips to rock climbing venues are presented. It is not a course about leading hard rock climbs,but rather a course to introduce you to leading others on rock climbs of almost any grade.
We are excited to say that we think there has never been a course quite like Rock Solid Leadership. Some courses are geared toward providing you with skills for placing gear. Some hone your climbing. Others work on techniques for leading. Yet other courses provide rock rescue training. A limited number work at improving your alpine rock climbing skills. Very few technical climbing courses provide soft skills to enhance your understanding of issues as a leader. A large number of courses are simply too short to cover all the things that instructors and participants alike would love to address.
Rock Solid Leadership addresses all of these technical topics while focusing on leadership issues and filling in the gaps with soft skills. At long last all of these skills have come together in a single week long program designed specifically for the amateur leader with emphasis on the climbing club setting.
Rock Solid Leadership is a seven day course during which a number of hard and soft skills sessions related to leading club trips to rock climbing venues are presented. It is not a course about leading hard rock climbs but rather a course to introduce you to leading others on rock climbs of almost any grade.
We will spend some time dealing with managing personal and climbing club trips to shorter one pitch venues but our aim is to go well beyond that. Managing a small party during ascent and descent on multi-pitch rock routes and/or alpine rock routes will be what we are eventually striving for. We will also begin to learn and practice the art and science of shortroping, rock rescue, group handling, group dynamics and so much more.
Participants must have experience following traditional rock climbs with an experienced partner. Some previous gym, outdoor sport and traditional leading experience is required with a minimum of a half dozen leads on each type of route required. You don't have to be leading hard routes but you should have begun your leading career. This is NOT a beginner course. If you attend this course you must be mentally and physically ready to lead. The days will be long and participants are expected to give a 100% commitment to the program.
This is a leadership course above all. You must be willing to spend at least as much time thinking about others as you spend thinking about your own needs. If all you want is to be a good rock climber, then you are better off seeking a good technical skills course. This course is about leading routes and leading others who may be perhaps far less experienced than you. There will be plenty of leading and technical skills involved but there will also be so much more.
- For more details, see:
- http://www.rescuedynamics.ca/courses/lead/EdmontonLead.htm#RSL
- Dates
- July 10-16, 2010
- Locations
- Jasper
- Cost
- $1200 (discount is available for active section trip leaders)
- Contact
- leadership@alpineclub-edm.org
ACC Summer Mountain Leadership Course
- Goals
- The Rock and Alpine Leadership Seminars are not at all about hard rock or ice climbing. We will spend much of our time on easy to moderate routes or easy sections of routes and focus on skills that will assist you to lead groups safely, efficiently and quickly.
- The weekend will begin with a day of rock skills review and practice together with an introduction to the most difficult and advanced skill of all - short-roping. This is followed by a second day in which we may attempt an easy route that requires short roping (perhaps at Hidden Valley or on a peak).
- On the last two days we switch our focus to snow and ice (Alpine). It may include another summit climb or more skills practice. All of this is weather dependant.
- For details see www.rescuedynamics.ca/courses/lead/EdmontonLead.htm#rocksnowice
- Dates
- July 2011
- Locations
- Jasper and Columbia Icefields
- Cost
- $400 ($200 if subsidised)
- Participants
- Maximum 5
- Contact
- Email our leadership@alpineclub-edm.org
Avalanche Safety Training Course (AST) Level 1 (formerly RAC)
Photo by M. Berkhout
The Avalanche Safety Training Level 1 is a 2 day course includes classroom and outdoor instruction covering:
- Mountain snowpack
- Terrain
- Trip preparation
- Avalanche formation
- Self rescue
This course includes Avalanche safety training for recreation as recommended by the Canadian Avalanche Centre. The Course Cost includes a Avalanche Awareness Handbook and a diploma certificate upon successful completion.
These courses are run by Peter Amann in Jasper. Active Edmonton section ski leaders can apply for a partial refund of the course fees by contacting our Leadership Programs Director
For a listing of course dates in 2010 and 2011, for more information, or to register, contact:
- Peter Amann
- Email: pamann@incentre.net
- Website: http://www.incentre.net/pamann/
ACC Avalanche Safety Training Course (AST) Level 2
Photo by M. Berkhout
Goals
- The Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 Course will provide an intermediate level decision-making framework that is suitable for people with a moderate degree of training and experience.
The course includes 8 hours classroom time and three days in the field.
Objectives
- At the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Use the Avaluator™ as a filtering tool to determine when additional planning and travel techniques are required to travel safely.
- Be familiar with Avalanche Danger Ratings verification techniques for personal use on a local scale.
- Be familiar with the ATES technical model as a means to develop personal, local terrain ratings.
- Use routefinding to take advantage of nuances in terrain to manage personal risk.
- Use travel techniques in avalanche terrain appropriate to the avalanche conditions.
- Proficiently carry out a companion rescue.
- Understand the limits of their training.
- Dates
- February 2011
- Locations
- TBA
- Cost
- $400 ($200 if subsidised)
- Number of Participants
- Max. 8
- Contact
- leadership@alpineclub-edm.org
ACC Winter Ski Leadership Course
- Goals
- This four day weekend is not at all about hard or extreme skiing. We will spend much of our time on easy to moderate terrain and focus on skills that will assist you in leading ACC ski groups safely, efficiently and quickly.
- Topics covered will include route finding, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, navigation, route planning, map / compass / GPS, group management and more from a leader's perspective. Participants will continually assess and discuss weather and avalanche considerations during the trip. Participants plan the various arrangements such as car shuttle, meals, group gear, etc.
- This is NOT a yo-yo skiing trip or a peak bagging excursion so expectations should be tempered with that thought. Participants must have experience in glacier travel and have an AST or RAC level 1 avalanche course. There will be travel on glaciers and in avalanche terrain during this course.
-
- Dates
- Feb 12-15, 2010
- Locations
- Lake Louise, Bow and Peyto Hut and vicinity
- Cost
- $400 ($200 if subsidised)
- Contact
- leadership@alpineclub-edm.org
ACC Waterfall Ice Leadership Course
- Goals
- Waterfall Ice Leadership is for the intermediate level climber who is aspiring to become a leader and wishes to lead ACC Section Ice Climbing Trips. Course content will include a skills review, belay setups, rope management, placing protection on lead, rappel anchors, rappel/lowering station management and managing groups in winter.
The first day will be, primarily, skills training while the second day will normally include a multi-pitch climb led by the participants under supervision.
For more details, see: http://www.rescuedynamics.ca/courses/lead/EdmontonLead.htm#iceleader - Dates
- March 2011
- Locations
- David Thompson Country
- Cost
- $220 ($110 if subsidised)
- Contact
- leadership@alpineclub-edm.org
Courses Offered by Rescue Dynamics
Courses are arranged through Rescue Dynamics in Edmonton and are taught by Cyril Shokoples, an internationally certified mountain guide and Past President of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. All of the technical gear is provided for climbing courses.
Participants are responsible for their own food, boots, clothing and accommodation. Participants are required to complete a medical form and waiver before each course. To confirm a spot on a course, you must pay the course fee in full in advance.
Most courses will give preference to section members until one month before the course. Special section prices apply until that time. Course locations vary between Jasper, Canmore, Lake Louise and Nordegg.
Rescue Dynamics
Website: www.rescuedynamics.ca
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