Camp Highlights

Private lodge accommodation, helicopter and food included
Enjoy the camaraderie of a similar-aged group
A remote and one-off location for the camp
Low ratio guiding by ACC favourites Peter Amann and Sylvia Forest

Dates & price

July 15th - 22nd
$2,950 + Tax / Person

Our Dedicated 55+ Program Visits the Campbell Icefield Chalet

Our 55+ hiking and mountaineering camps are for young-at-heart hikers and mountaineers who want to connect with other adventurers and explore moderate hiking and mountaineering routes from the comfort of one of our backcountry huts.

For 2019, at the recommendation of long-term program guide Peter Amann, the 55+ camp will be based out of the Campbell Icefield chalet. You'll be flying into the chalet via a scenic helicopter ride, have an exclusive booking at the chalet and have your very own group cook serving up scrumptious meals each day.

This is the first season the chalet has opened its doors in the summer and the spectacular region offers something for everyone: alpine meadows, vast glacier, mountaineering summits.

Past participants of this camp disagree whether the highlight of the camp was the experienced and friendly guiding staff, the spectacular hikes and summits, or the friendly, supportive atmosphere. If you’ve taken the camp before, we’d love to see you back to explore a new destination with us! If it’s your first time, come try it out, If you are over 55 and seeking company and challenges with others in this age range, this camp is for you!

Camp Objectives

The camp location offers climbing on the (multiple) Mt Alan Campbells and Prior Peak as well as exploration of the Freshfield Icefield as well as the chalet's namesake. This camp is geared towards snow & ice mountaineering, moderate alpine climbing, wilderness hiking, scrambling, and alpine traverses.

Day by Day Adventure Itinerary

Day 1: Meet in Donald BC, our staging area, from where you will be flown by helicopter into the Campbell Icefield.

Day 2-7: Each day will start with an early morning rise and a hearty breakfast prepared by your cook. The group will typically split into two with each (depending on ambition, ability) and spend the day hiking or mountaineering to one of the many local objectives. Lunch will be prepared for you and on return to the chalet you will enjoy a sumptuous 3 course meal and have the chance to enjoy the sauna, deck and other facilities.

Day 8: After breakfast, you will fly back out to civilization and your vehicle at Donald.

Is this Camp For Me?

Intermediate

First things first. This camp is for those 55 years or older to enjoy the camaraderie and social opportunity of being in a group of similar age and ambition. There is no maximum age limit on the camp, but you must be medically able to handle the demands of high altitude and strenuous exercise. You will have the option to take a rest day in the chalet or possibly on an easier hike, but at minimum you must have a good level of fitness and be able to carry up to a 9 - 11kg (20 - 25lb) day pack for several hours.

We suggest having some prior climbing experience and basic rope handling skills, but it isn’t necessary. You should be prepared for off-trail travel over rough terrain, moderate snow and ice slopes, and some hands-on climbing/scrambling. The specific objectives will be determined by the guides based on the group’s fitness, ambition, and abilities.

Food, Accommodation and Guiding

Food

Our camp cook, included in you camp fee will prepare a full set of scrumptious meals each day of the camp. And with helicopter access, you will have the luxury of fresh meat and vegetables rather than dehydrated backpacking food. We’re able to accommodate most allergies, medical dietary restrictions and vegetarian diets. Additional surcharges apply for vegan, lactose-free, or gluten-free diets.

Accommodation

The Campbell Icefield Chalet is a modern backcountry lodge with a comfortable layout. Its amenities include running cold water, an indoor toilet and a micro-hydro electrical system. Oh and not forgetting a full wood fired sauna! The lodge itself is wood heated, with propane back up. The main floor consists of a fully equipped kitchen, cool room, and comfortable dining/living room. There is a spacious south-facing deck off the living room.

Guests will sleep in bunkbeds across a number of separate bedrooms and there is also a drying room and washroom. There is a south-facing deck, accessible from the corridor. Communication to Golden is via a two way radio. There is no internet service available.

Guiding

Our low guiding ratio will give you the best possible chance of success. The small groups mean that you can split up based on objectives and pacing, and get the individualized attention needed to tackle more challenging routes.

This camp is guided by Association of Canadian Mountain Guides-certified Alpine and Apprentice Alpine guides.

“It was day one. No wait, it was day two. No, that’s not correct, it was day three. Or maybe day five. Day six? Do you see where I am going with this? Highlight every day.”

“Great guides, really great guides.”

“All the peaks were fun!”

“Spending five days hiking with such a friendly, supportive group of new friends, in an area that I have never hiked before. An adventure I’ll never forget.”

“The guide knew the hikes, was well organized and a great communicator and was always concerned about our safety and enjoyment.”

- Past 55+ Camp Participants-

Adventure Map

Contact Us

Email
403 678 3200 ext. 213

Organizing Fantastic ACC Adventures For Over 100 Years

Local Knowledge - based out of Canmore, AB, we know the Rockies region and the best local caterers, guides and porters
Dedicated resources - full-time office staff, ACMG guides and group equipment on-hand to ensure your trip runs smoothly
Not-for-profit - any money we make on camps and courses is reinvested into providing services for our members and the mountain community

Cancellation policy and travel Insurance

Please be sure to review our cancellation policy before registering for ACC Adventures:

Cancellation Policy
We sell Tugo^® Travel Insurance suitable for both ACC Adventures and personal trips:

Travel Insurance

Included WITH YOUR CAMP FEE

8 days guiding by certified ACMG alpine guides at maximum 5:1 client to guide ratio
7 nights exclusive accommodation at the Campbell Icefield Chalet
Helicopter flights in and out of the chalet
All meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 8 prepared by an on-site cook
All group gear

Participants Must Provide

Transportation to and from meeting place
Personal gear (see gear list)
Breakfast and lunch on day 1, dinner on day 8

Your Guides

Sylvia Forest

Sylvia (Syl) Forest is a mountain guide living near Golden, BC. Syl worked as a park warden and mountain rescue specialist in Jasper, Lake Louise and Glacier National Parks for 23 years, and managed the mountain rescue program in Glacier Park for eight years. She completed her UIAGM Mountain Guide certification in 2001. Syl left Parks in the fall of 2013 in order to spend more time guiding, and to spend more time with her family.

Syl also teaches avalanche courses regularly for the Canadian Avalanche Association, and works as a heli ski guide during the winter months.

Peter Amann

Peter has worked as a Mountain Guide in many ranges throughout western Canada. He works in many of the camps for the Alpine Club of Canada, including 25 years in the General Mountaineering Camp. He also works with training the Canadian Military’s Search and Rescue Technicians, worked as the Avalanche Forecaster at Marmot Basin for 18 years, and Lead Guide for Robson Helimagic for 6 seasons. Peter works as an instructor and examiner on the Hiking Guide programs for Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. Peter has taught both Rock and Mountaineering courses for 35+ years and has guided many private ski touring and climbing parties. He presently spends the winter months as Avalanche Technician/Forecaster for Northwest Avalanche Solutions Ltd.