Crevasse Rescue

Not sure which program is best for you? Take a look at our Course Progression Map.

The Course

For the adventurer looking to head out deeper into the wilderness, it is paramount that rope rescue skills are practiced and understood while travelling on glaciers. This course is designed to introduce the necessary skills or to review and update your skills if you have previously taken training. It is highly recommended to review these rescue skills once a year. Along with the AST 1 course, the crevasse rescue course will teach the basics of mountain travel.

A detailed course package will be emailed 3 days prior to course commencement.

The Schedule:

Day 1: Meet the guides in the Guides room at the AAA office in Banff and sign waivers. There will be a short theory presentation before you begin with simple knots and systems. The we will be spending the afternoon outside where the group can practice and be introduced to more complex systems.

Day 2: The group will head to a safe but very realistic practice site at Crowfoot Meadows North from Lake Louise. The day will be spent outside putting to use the theory and practice from day 1.

• Arresting the fall, assess situation and decision point, reverse pull?
• Call for help
• T-slot and ice screw anchors
• Transfer load and decision point
• Belay to the lip of crevasse and decision point
• Prepare crevasse lip and add padding
• Begin adding advantage if necessary
• Many other micro details

In complex rescue scenarios many decisions are based on site specific information, this course will help you prepare for those details and make a rescue if necessary much quicker and realistic. But remember, avoidance is our best tool.

The Instructors:

The AAA instructors have years of experience travelling in glaciated terrain and in crevasse rescue advanced training and instruction. All instructors are certified by the Canadian Avalanche Association and the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and or the IFMGA

*If you have an exceptional experience and would like to leave a tip for your guide, 10-15% is a customary amount. You can pay with cash or contact the AAA office directly to arrange.