Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

06/19/2026

Best of the Rockies Multi-Pitch Climbing

Three days. A rack of draws. A rope. And some of the best multi-pitch climbing the Rockies have to offer.

We'll choose objectives based on conditions and group experience, with the goal of spending as much time as possible on quality routes.

No fixed itinerary. Just good climbing.

📅 July 4–6
📅 August 1–3
📅 September 12–14

If you had three days to climb anywhere in the Rockies this summer, where would you go?

Experience the Best of the Rockies with Yamnuska’s multipitch climbing program. Explore world-class routes and stunning Rockies landscapes.

06/18/2026

Alpine starts rarely feel easy when the alarm goes off in the dark.

The air is cool, the trail is quiet, and the warmth of your bed seems much more appealing than the climb ahead.

But then it happens.

The first light touches the highest peaks. The sky shifts from deep blue to shades of gold and pink. The mountains begin to glow, and for a few brief moments, it feels like you have the entire world to yourself.

No photograph quite captures it. No description does it justice.

It's one of the many rewards of heading into the mountains early—and once you've experienced it, you'll understand why climbers, hikers, and mountaineers are willing to start long before sunrise.

What do you think? Is there anything better than watching the sun crest over a mountain?

06/18/2026

What makes a good trad placement?

It's more than simply fitting a cam or nut into a crack. Strong trad climbers learn to assess rock quality, identify the best natural protection opportunities, understand loading directions, manage rope drag, and build efficient protection strategies throughout a route.

That's why we teach gear placement skills on top rope.

Without the added demands of leading, participants can focus their attention on reading the rock, evaluating placement options, and refining their decision-making. They can place gear, test their reasoning, receive instructor feedback, and make adjustments.

This approach creates more opportunities for learning, helps climbers develop confidence in their placements, and builds the judgment needed to place gear efficiently when it matters most.

Ready to start building your trad skills? Join us this season and develop the skills, confidence, and judgment that form the foundation of traditional climbing.

🔗 Learn more and register today.
https://yamnuska.com/rock-climbing/trad-lessons/

06/17/2026

Summer is here, and there's no better time to get outside, explore the mountains, and learn new skills!

Whether you're looking to build confidence on rock, learn glacier travel, develop mountaineering skills, or simply spend more time in the alpine, we have programs designed to help you reach your goals.

From beginner-friendly courses to advanced mountain objectives, our upcoming summer programs offer the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself, connect with like-minded adventurers, and create unforgettable experiences in the mountains.

Check out our upcoming programs and join us for your next adventure.

June 19-21: Wapta Icefields Glacier Hike (1 spot remaining) https://yamnuska.com/mountaineering/beginner-programs/wapta-icefields/
June 20: Rock 1-Outdoor Rock Intro https://yamnuska.com/rock-climbing/beginner-rock-climbing-course/
June 20-22: Snow and Ice Long Weekend https://yamnuska.com/mountaineering/beginner-programs/mountain-climbing-instruction/
June 20-21: Rock 4-Trad Rock Leader https://yamnuska.com/rock-climbing/trad-lessons/
June 20: Mt Hector https://yamnuska.com/mountaineering/canadian-rockies-11000ers1/mount-hector/
June 21: Rock 2-Lead Climbing https://yamnuska.com/rock-climbing/instruction-outdoors/
June 27-28: Scrambling Skills https://yamnuska.com/mountaineering/beginner-programs/mountain-scrambling/
June 27: Navigations Skills-Map & Compass https://yamnuska.com/navigation-1-back-to-basics-with-map-compass/
June 28-July3: Intro to Mountaineering (1 spot remaining) https://yamnuska.com/mountaineering/beginner-programs/intro-mountaineering-course-canadian-rockies/
July 2-7: Intro to Alpine Rock in the Bugaboos (2 spots remaining) https://yamnuska.com/mountaineering/intermediate-advanced-programs/intro-alpine-rock-bugaboos/
July 4: Rock 1- Outdoor Rock Intro https://yamnuska.com/rock-climbing/beginner-rock-climbing-course/
July 4: Mt Temple Scramble https://yamnuska.com/mountaineering/canadian-rockies-11000ers1/mount-temple-11000/
July 5-10: Women's Intro to Mountaineering (1 spot remaining) https://yamnuska.com/mountaineering/beginner-programs/womens-intro-to-mountaineering/

06/15/2026

Our latest Intro to Mountaineering course on the Wapta Icefields was a true alpine experience—equal parts learning, challenge, and perseverance.

While the sun only made a brief appearance on one day, the weather provided plenty of opportunities to develop real mountain skills. From snow-covered approaches and glacier travel to crevasse rescue, snow anchors, self-rescue techniques, and whiteout navigation, the mountains delivered an unforgettable classroom.

Day 1 saw snow showers from the boulder crossing, but good travel on an established track. By Day 2, we enjoyed our lone sunny summit with stunning views from Onion Peak and measured an impressive 170 cm of snow at the toe of the glacier.

The weather then shifted, bringing classic Wapta conditions. We successfully navigated a whiteout ascent of Mt. Gordon, where strong navigation skills and teamwork were essential. Challenging terrain on the headwall and an exposed rock step added to the adventure, while overnight freezes kept glacier travel efficient.

With deep snow surrounding Bow Hut, we spent a full day practicing crevasse rescue systems and snow anchor construction—valuable skills that every aspiring mountaineer should have in their toolkit.

Our attempt on Mt. Rhondda was met with strong winds, poor visibility, and continuous whiteout conditions. After careful assessment, we turned around from the ridge, demonstrating one of mountaineering's most important lessons: good judgment. The day also provided excellent opportunities to practice self-rescue techniques before heavy precipitation arrived.

Not every mountain trip is about blue skies and summit photos. Sometimes the greatest achievements are building confidence, learning new skills, making sound decisions, and adapting to challenging conditions. By those measures, this course was a tremendous success.

Congratulations to everyone who joined us. The mountains don't always give us sunshine, but they always give us lessons.



📷 Chhering Dorjee Sherpa

06/11/2026

In the backcountry, conditions can change faster than any forecast can predict. That's where field nowcasting comes in—the art and science of reading the mountains in real time.

From cloud development and wind patterns to snow surface changes and subtle environmental clues, experienced mountain travellers are constantly gathering information and adapting their decisions based on what they observe in the field. It's a critical skill for anyone venturing into the mountains, whether you're hiking, climbing, skiing, or mountaineering.

In our latest blog, we provide an overview of how guides and mountain professionals use field nowcasting to make informed decisions and manage risk in changing mountain environments.

Read the full article: https://yamnuska.com/news/field-nowcasting-reading-the-mountains-in-real-time/

Learn how to read mountain weather in real time using field nowcasting, and why local guide knowledge is invaluable for mountain adventures.

06/10/2026

Building solid belay anchors is a fundamental climbing skill, and Petzl has put together some great tips in this video.

We’re always happy to partner with companies that are passionate about sharing quality climbing knowledge and helping people build stronger systems in the mountains.

Give it a watch! 👇