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Intro to Mountaineering Bugaboos
Where the Bugaboos Become the Start of Your Mountaineering Journey
Trip Description
Access to the Bugaboos remains uncertain due to flooding during the 2025 summer season. As a result, the Intro to Mountaineering – Bugaboos Camp is currently waitlisted while we determine whether it can safely proceed.
If you’re looking to confirm your plans now, we encourage you to explore our other mountaineering courses available this season.
If the Intro to Mountaineering Couse in the Bugaboos is your priority, joining the waitlist is the best way to stay informed. We’ll share updates as soon as they become available. The ACC is working closely with BC Parks to assess access to the hut, with a full review planned for the spring once snowmelt provides a clearer picture of conditions.
About the trip
Whether it’s your first summit ever or just the first of the season, the Bugaboo (Conrad Kain) Hut is the perfect place to kick things off. Join us for four days of hands-on mountaineering training and peak bagging in the heart of the iconic Bugaboo Provincial Park.
You’ll build essential skills, learn new techniques, and put your knowledge to the test in a stunning alpine environment. With expert instruction and real-time application, this course is designed to boost your confidence and prepare you for a summer of mountaineering success. This course is designed for those with little to no previous outdoor climbing or mountaineering experience.
Porters will carry your group’s food into the hut to keep packs light for the ascent. You can expect nutritious continental-style breakfasts, packed lunches and 4-course dinners with soup, appetizers, meat-based entrees (with vegetarian options) and a delicious dessert. All of the food for this camp is provided by Peak Eats. Accommodation at the Bugaboo Hut is included in the course.
Please note that this course is normally restricted to those over the age of majority, in the location the course occurs. Registrations for minors (accompanied by a parent/legal guardian) are considered on a case by case basis, please contact the office to learn more.
Itinerary
This course is designed to provide you with both the skills and experience to pursue your own independent alpine adventures, all while summiting some exciting peaks. The course focuses on the following skills:
- Roped glacier travel
- Basic knots
- Crevasse rescue
- Snow and ice travel
- Use of mountaineering axe and crampons
- Navigation skills (including topographic maps, bearings, trip planning, and electronic navigation devices)
The climbing objectives for this course are Grade II alpine climbs involving snow and ice mountaineering. These objectives include relatively straightforward glaciers and may involve some short sections of scrambling (either roped or unroped) to reach the summit. If conditions permit, you’ll have the opportunity to summit the following peaks:
- Hound’s Tooth (2,830m) from the Bugaboo Hut
- Pigeon Feathers (2,990m) from the Bugaboo Hut
This camp promises both hands-on learning and exciting climbs, preparing you for future alpine pursuits.
Pre-trip meeting
Meet online at 7:00 PM (MST) for an introduction zoom session. Zoom link will be sent out about 1 week in advance of the camp. This will be around 1-2 hours and allow your guide to go over gear with you, make sure everyone is on the same page, make sure everyone knows where to meet for the next day and to answer any questions.
Day one - three
Meet at the trailhead for the Bugaboo Hut (public lot near the Bugaboos Lodge) and hike into the hut. Explore the peaks in the area with overnights back at the Hut, see what a sample day could look like below.
Day four
Maybe sneak in a final peak before lunch and hike back to the trailhead.
A sample day of the camp
Mountaineering means getting up early! Take advantage of the easiest and safest snow travel conditions. Enjoy a continental-style breakfast (food always tastes better when our porters carry it in to the hut for you) to give you the energy you need to start the day. Rope up, and head up the toe of the Bugaboo Glacier. From there, your destination (Hounds Tooth) is only 1.5km away. Don’t be fooled by the distance, though: the journey includes a walk over the icefield weaving through the crevasses, 600m of elevation gain, and a snow ramp to the rock ridge.
To overcome all of these, you’ll put your new glacier travel and snow mountaineering skills to use. After you kick steps into the snow up the crux, self-belaying with your mountaineering axe, it’s a straightforward scree ascent to the top. Take in the view, relax, and enjoy your lunch. On the way back, your guide will coach as you test out your new navigation skills. Practice identifying features on a topographic map and taking bearings off of the surrounding peaks to identify your position.
Back in the hut, you’ll have a chance to socialize with your fellow newly-minted mountaineers. In a short, hour-long evening instructional session, you learn how to create and follow a trip plan. The next day’s objective is introduced and discussed. Afterwards, everybody heads to the bunkroom to get some well-deserved rest.
Location
Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia
Nestled beneath the towering granite spires of the Bugaboos, the Bugaboo (Conrad Kain) Hut offers the perfect launchpad for aspiring mountaineers. With stunning alpine views, direct access to classic routes, and a comfortable alpine shelter, it’s an ideal basecamp for learning the ropes in one of North America’s most iconic climbing playgrounds.
We sell Tugo® Travel Insurance suitable for both ACC Adventures and personal trips.
Learn MoreEvent Sponsor(s)
We thank all our sponsors for their support.
Adventure Hazards
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Rockfall & Icefall:
Risks include but are not limited to: Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking) -
Communication & Rescue:
Risks include but are not limited to: Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available. Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field. If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow. -
Terrain:
Risks include but are not limited to: Cornices, Crevasses, Cliffs, Trees, tree wells, forest dead fall, and tree stumps, Creeks, rocks and boulders. Holes and depressions below the snow surface. Variable and difficult snow conditions. Variable and difficult walking terrain. Snowcat roads and road banks, fences and other man-made structures. Snow immersion. Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects. Extreme variation in trails or terrain. Encounters with domestic or wild animals. Loss of balance or control, slips, trips, and falls. Becoming lost or separated from the group. -
General:
Risks include but are not limited to: Slips, trips and falls indoor or outdoor. Equipment failure. Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Negligent first aid. Negligence of other persons, including other guests. Negligence of the guide including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities. Changing weather conditions including but not limited to high winds, lightning, forest fires, effects of high altitude including pulmonary edema and cerebral edema, incomplete warnings or instructions, negligence of other people, including trip coordinator and other guests. Negligence includes failure on the part of ACC Guides (if applicable) to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from or warn you of the risks, dangers and hazards of wilderness activities. -
Falls & Belaying:
Risks include but are not limited to: Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground which can lead to injury or death. The risk of a belay failure is also present which can contribute to a ground fall. Equipment failure, including equipment associated with climbing, rappelling and belaying.
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Only Family membership holders can register dependents. If you need to register a family member, please upgrade to a Family membership first.
Intro to Mountaineering Bugaboos
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The Alpine Club of Canada Waiver
Version 2.0
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Signed Waiver
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Avalanche Canada Release of Liability
Version 2.1
A valid Avalanche Canada Release of Liability is required to participate in any Avalanche Safety Training program facilitated by The Alpine Club of Canada