Guides Training Rock (GTR Rockies)

The course is after all, A COURSE. So while you’ll be expected to demonstrate some competencies, mostly the morning consist of you watching and learning as the instructors demo skills & techniques

So You Wanna Be a Guide Eh?

The author shares their journey towards pursuing certification in the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) Training and Assessment Program (TAP). While expressing uncertainty due to their age and the high costs associated with the program, they cite passion for guiding as their motivation. The post serves as a personal narrative and general guide for those interested in the TAP.

Why I Run

Why I Run I listen closely to the soft consistent sound of my shoe rubber stride across a packed gravel trail, “crunch, tap, crunch, tap”. My rhythm carefully adjusting and molding to suit the unique trail characteristics. Larger rocks here, a swerve there, minute changes in elevation, uniformity, and cushion are constantly calculated as I…

Read More

Cochise Stronghold

If you know, you go. Cochise Stronghold isn’t a name I’d come to associate with the All-American classic rock climbing areas. So, in the dreary rain of November in Revelstoke, BC sitting across the table brewing up ideas over a few brews I was surprised when it was suggested to check out Cochise Stronghold. Located…

Read More

Mt Tupper – Upper Headwall of the South Rib (5.11-)

Mt Tupper – Upper Headwall of South Rib (5.11-) Personal Rating: ** Rock Quality: 6/10 Length:  7 pitches of 5.6 – 5.11- climbing Timeline: 12 hours (car-to-car) Gear: # Double Rack 0.3 – 3 I looked up at the relatively blank wall, seeing a few minor down sloping holds and poor feet with no obvious…

Read More

The Progression of a Ski Traverse

The Progression of a Ski Traverse Based on a 6-day Traverse of the Gold Range Step 1: The Anticipation. This is it, you’ve made idle plans over one to many beers – and now there’s a budding sense of commitment. Your buddy reaches out to ask about more specific details and you realize you should…

Read More

A June Morning on Mt Tupper’s West Ridge

A 7’ wide runnel had formed down the center line of the slide-path and was a black hole vortex that sucked in every rock, dirt, and debris into it’s beckoning arms.

Bonnington Traverse Packing List

Maybe useful as a guide to someone? Bonnington Traverse Packing List General Info / Logistics The Bonnington Traverse is a 3+ Hut (Huckleberry Hut Optional) Traverse between Castlegar & Nelson. Based on the hut bookings our rough schedule will be: Traverse Day -> Ski Tour around hut day -> Traverse Day -> Ski Tour around…

Read More

Mount Macdonald NW Integral D+ 5.8

Personal Rating: ***** Rock Quality: 8/10 Length: 14-18 pitches Timeline (Bivy -> Bivy): 12 hours Gear: Full double rack (0.3-3) + ½ nuts Climbed: July 6, 2020 I yelled down to Tristan, “ROCK!”, and saw the focused look in his eye as he registered what I was saying before I had finished saying it. We…

Read More