Trip Description
Each year, participants in the General Mountaineering Camp are flown by helicopter to a remote alpine location with a well-equipped base camp. There, they have the chance to learn new mountaineering skills, explore secluded alpine areas, and experience a unique, modern-day mountain adventure.
All our camp equipment, food, participants’ personal gear, and climbing equipment will be flown in by helicopter. During camp, all outings are under the supervision of ACMG-certified guides who will lead hikes and climbs, and provide instruction in all aspects of mountain craft. Your weekly attendance fee will cover the flight in and out, tent accommodation, guiding and instruction, sumptuous meals, and group climbing gear.
There will be refresher courses offered on glacier travel, alpine snow, and rock climbing. The GMC is an excellent place to learn new skills or refresh your existing mountaineering skills. Whether you are looking to explore a remote area, hope to stand on your first mountain, or to summit peaks, the GMC is your epic ‘summer camp in the mountains’.
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
The day’s objectives will vary for the different teams. Objectives for longer days will include climbing peaks, traversing ridges and other mountaineering routes.
Shorter days will include rock school, glacier skills days, and hiking days. The daily curriculum will be dependent on participants’ skills and goals.
All outings from camp will be under the direction of the guides. Many factors, including the weather, will determine how the days will play out. The focus of each day is fun, learning and exploration in the mountains.
Day one
We will meet early in the morning* at the participant rendezvous point in Golden, BC, before driving to the helicopter staging area. From the staging area, you and your gear will then be flown into the Trident basecamp. Upon arrival at the camp, you will greeted and oriented by the camp manager and assigned a sleeping tent. You'll also have the chance to meet some of the guides and to go on a short hike to explore the area close to camp this day.
*Rendezvous time and place will be confirmed in pre-trip email.
Day two onward (a typical day)
- 4:00 am early wake up horn for longer days
- 4:30 am early breakfast is served
- 5:00 am teams leave camp for longer days
- 6:00 am general wake-up call
- 6:30 am breakfast is served
- 7:00 am teams leave camp for shorter days
- 2:00-4:00 pm teams arrive back at camp
- 2:00-6:00 pm free time for swimming, showers, tea, etc. The choice of objectives for the next day is posted
- 6:00 pm supper is served
- 7:30 pm lunch building and preparations for the next day
Final day
After a final breakfast together, participants will have time to pack, take final photos, and say goodbye before the flight out. The helicopter is scheduled to land at camp around 11:00 am for return flights to the staging area. By approximately 3:00 pm, participants will be back in Golden.
Location
Trident Group - northern Selkirks
The Trident Group is located in the Northern Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia. The rock in the area is predominantly quartz-mica schist, mica schist, micaceous quartzite and speckled gneiss. The location offers easy access to spires, glaciated terrain, and alpine lakes and meadows. This is truly an alpine explorer’s paradise.
We appreciate that the lands known today as Canada are home to the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples and we acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of these Nations who continue to lead us in stewarding this land, as well as honour their knowledge and cultural ties to this place. The Trident Group is located on the Traditional Lands of the Sinixt, Syilx, Secwepemc, Stoney, Ktunaxa, and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
The Campsite
The Trident camp will enjoy all the standard facilities of the ACC’s GMC basecamp. The infrastructure of the camp will include helicopter access, sleeping tents (1 or 2 person tent), dining tent, drying tent, outhouses, and hot showers.
Food is always a highlight at the GMC. All meals are made from scratch on-site each day by our staff with fresh ingredients. We set up a full backcountry kitchen, complete with ovens, a BBQ, and three experienced chefs to prepare and serve your meals. We fly in and prepare fresh food from scratch – there’s never any dehydrated backpacking meals at the GMC!
Each week of the GMC is staffed with a camp manager, a team of certified guides, camp cooks, camp volunteers, and a camp doctor.
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.
About you
Emergency contact
Confirm or update your emergency contact for this event.
Health
This information is shared only with the team coordinating your adventure.
Includes severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms at altitude.
Anaphylactic = severe reaction requiring an epinephrine auto-injector.
Adventure profile
Waiver
The Alpine Club of Canada Waiver
Version 2.1
A valid ACC Release of Liability is required to participate in any ACC activities or events. Please read the following waiver carefully. ALL checkboxes must be checked in order to submit the agreement.
The Alpine Club of Canada – Minors Waiver
Version 1.0
A valid ACC Release of Liability is required for a minor to participate in any ACC activities or events. This waiver must be completed by the minor's parent or legal guardian. Please read the following waiver carefully. ALL checkboxes must be checked in order to submit the agreement.
Parent or guardian signature required
You're under the age of majority in your province. We need a parent or legal guardian to sign this waiver on your behalf. Please provide their contact information below.
Waiting on parent signature
- ACC Minor Waiver
- AST Minor Waiver
Review & consent
Conditions of participation
Additional consents
I agree to let the ACC use any photos or videos captured of me during the ACC course, for the purposes of our publications and marketing. I waive my right to inspect or approve the use of my image in ACC media. I also agree should the ACC use my image or video for the stated purpose above, I will not expect compensation from the ACC. I release The Alpine Club of Canada, their employees, contractors and volunteers and their successors from any claims that may arise regarding the use of my image including any claims of invasion of privacy, infringement of moral rights, rights of publicity or copyright.
Payment
