The Mountaineers
We invite you to apply for this winter's Alpine Ambassadors ice climbing program in Canmore! The program will help you develop more advanced ice climbing skills on challenging terrain with support from each other, skilled volunteers, and professional guides. Volunteers from all branches are invited to participate in this innovative, aspirational program, which seeks to infuse The Mountaineers with deeper skills and inspiration to give back.
Who are the Alpine Ambassadors?
In 2018, we launched a new Alpine Ambassadors program designed to invest in our top volunteers, keep them climbing and learning, and inspire them to continue volunteering to mentor others. Through this community, our top climbers have opportunities to push their grade and get after increasingly challenging objectives through a cross-branch community. Our Alpine Ambassadors apply to be a part of the program, and are some of our most talented climbers and dedicated volunteers. The Mountaineers funds training and community-building opportunities for this group, who in turn commit to pass that knowledge onto newer climbers, building more volunteer stoke in our branches.
In February 2018, we kicked off the Alpine Ambassadors program when seventeen climbers went to Canmore to work on ice climbing skills. The goal of the Canmore program was to help our climbers improve their water-ice climbing grades while providing skills to become more safe and efficient. Climbers were grouped differently each day to maximize personal skill development, alternating between climbing in larger groups at ice cragging areas, and in pairs to ascend multi-pitch waterfalls. Many of the ambassadors reported bumping up their ability to lead on ice by a grade or more as a result of the focused week of practice.
Since then, two more cohorts have gone to Canmore, and two have gone to Squamish. Our Alpine Ambassadors have also hosted trips for dedicated volunteers looking to bump their grades, who are aspiring to join Alpine Ambassadors. We've hosted trips to Squamish, Indian Creek, Ouray, and Bozeman.
Canmore, AB - January 22-30, 2022
This year, we invite another cohort of Ambassadors to join us in Canmore for ice climbing from January 22-30. The program is 7 days long, with the middle day as a rest day. The rest day may move to accommodate optimal weather, so participants should plan to be busy for the full 7 days, with a travel day on either side. Participants on this trip climb with local experts and professional guides, who provide mentorship in climbing technique and efficiency. The trip typically has a mix of cragging and multipitch, and participants will climb in different groups each day. Guide fees and lodging are provided by The Mountaineers. Participants are responsible for their own food and transportation, and for any tips they choose to give the guides.
Lodging: We'll stay at the Alpine Club of Canada's Bell Cabin, which we have reserved Sunday, January 23 - Monday, January 31. Note that we also have a small number of spots in the Boswell Cabin the night of Saturday, January 22 and are working out additional lodging for the first night. Ambassadors will enjoy six days of climbing and a rest day. All are welcome to stay until Monday, January 31. The capacity of Bell Cabin is 15, and we will cap total participation at 10 Ambassadors (we will have five beds available Jan 22 at the Boswell Cabin, other lodging TBD). All participants are expected to arrive at the lodge by 6pm at the latest on Saturday, January 22.
COVID: Due to COVID regulations, all participants must show proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before crossing the border into Canada. This means that everyone in the lodge will vaccinated and have a recent negative COVID test.
Apply
If you're a volunteer who is excited about advancing your skills and perpetuating the spirit of mentorship in The Mountaineers, we encourage you to apply. Cultivating an inclusive leadership is central to The Mountaineers focus on advancing equity. We believe a welcoming and inclusive environment inspires unity, respect, and passion for our work and one another. We’re interested in hearing from people who can work with colleagues of varied experience and diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage women, people of color, and LGBTQ climbers to apply. We also hope that branch leaders encourage a strong applicant pool from their branch.
canmore Application requirements:
- This group is focused on developing a high level of climbing skill, and to be eligible for Canmore you should have experience leading WI3 as well as experience with multipitch transitions (on ice or rock).
- You should be a Basic Climbing graduate (or higher) and have recent experience leading trips for The Mountaineers.
- You must be available for the entire trip and able to meet the International Travel Requirements
We will take all eligible applicants and make selections based on climbing experience, goals, and vision for how this program will help you give back to The Mountaineers community. We anticipate more qualified applicants than we have capacity, and we will strive to invite a cohort that represents a highly motivated, diverse group from all branches.
Participants for each program will be selected by a committee comprised of current Alpine Ambassadors.
When reviewing applicants, we will consider:
- Recent history of volunteerism within The Mountaineers
- Relevant climbing skills and experience
- Desire to use this experience to further your leadership within The Mountaineers
Applications are due November 5, and selected participants will be notified by November 19.
Cost to you to participate, if selected: We provide instruction and lodging, you provide your food, guide tips, and transportation to and from Canmore.
Questions? Please email Becca Polglase.
