BACKPACKING TRIPS

DIFFICULTY

CANADIAN ROCKIES FAMILY BACKPACK

EASY
No prior hiking experience is needed for this hike.  Backpacks and equipment must be carried into the Forks Campground.  This is a 7km hike with minimal elevation gain.  Families should be fit enough to walk with a pack for 3 to 4 hours.  Trips will be modified to meet the needs of the guests. 

This is a custom trip and can be modified to meet the group's needs.

MOUNT ROBSON HIKE

EASY TO MODERATE
No prior hiking experience is needed but participants should be healthy and fit to get the most out of daily hikes and to handle a backpack on the 5th & 6th days.

This is a good trip for people who have never backpacked before as the trail with heavier loads is generally downhill and on well established trails.

Pack Weight: If you have light gear and clothing and don't bring anything unnecessary you can get it down to 12kg (28lbs). On the first day you may have to carry a bit more than this as you have to hike 2km from the helipad to the campground.

MOUNT ASSINIBOINE BACKPACK

MODERATE
No prior hiking experience is needed but participants should be healthy and in good shape as they will be carrying backpacks on the final three days of hiking.

This is a good trip for first time backpackers who are looking for a wilderness experience.  The trails are good, but day 5 has a steep uphill hike.

Pack Weight: If you have light gear and clothing and don't bring anything unnecessary you can get it down to 14kg (32lbs). On the first day you will have to carry a bit more than this as you have to hike 2km from the helipad to the campground. You won't carry a full back again until 2 days later when you start the trip to Sunshine Meadows.

KANANASKIS HIGHLANDS

MODERATE
No prior hiking experience is needed but participants should be healthy and in good shape as they will be carrying backpacks on the trail on Days 1, 3 and 5.

This is a good trip for first time backpackers as it offers hiking without a large pack on the 2nd and 4th days.

Pack Weight: If you have light gear and clothing and don't bring anything unnecessary you can keep it below 18kg (40lbs).  Day 1 has the heaviest pack, it is noticeably lighter on the following backpacking days.

ROCKWALL HIGHLINE

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING
No prior hiking experience is needed for this hike but participants should be in good shape as they will be carrying backpacks for 5 out of the 6 days.  The trails are generally excellent but there is a fair bit of uphill hiking involved.

Pack Weight: If you have light gear and clothing and don't bring anything unnecessary you can keep it below 16kg (35lbs). On this trip we have a food drop at the half-way point to keep loads light.

BANFF SAWBACK TRAVERSE

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING
No prior hiking experience is needed for this  hike  but participants must  be in good shape as they will be carrying backpacks for 3 consecutive 16km days over rough trails.

Pack Weight: By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 16kg (35lbs) on the 1st day, thereafter weights drop day by day. There are no food drops.

JASPER HIGHLANDS

CHALLENGING
This trip is a little more challenging than the Rockwall Highline.  No prior hiking experience is needed for this hike but participants must be in good shape as they will be carrying backpacks for 4 out of the 6 days.

The trails are mostly good but there are sections that have been damaged by horse traffic and some marshy (wet) sections.

Pack Weight: You will have to carry more on this trip as you will be out for longer and there are no caches. Expect 20kg. (44lbs).

THE WALL OF JERICHO

CHALLENGING
No prior hiking experience is needed for this hike but participants must be in good shape.   There are a few long days and participants will be carrying backpacks for 4 of the 6 days. The trails are generally excellent but there is a lot of uphill hiking involved.

Pack Weight: By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 20kg (44lbs) on the 1st day, thereafter weights drop day by day. There are no food drops.

BANFF HIGHLINE

CHALLENGING
No prior hiking experience is needed for this hike but, due to the length of this hike, participants must be in very good shape. There are a few long days early in the trip and participants will be carrying backpacks for most of the trip. The trails are generally excellent but there is a lot of uphill hiking involved.

Pack Weight: If you have light gear and clothing and don't bring anything unnecessary you can keep it below 16kg (35lbs). On this trip we have food drops at two different locations en-route to keep loads light.

HIGHWOOD CIRCUIT

CHALLENGING
This trip is rated challenging due to substantial elevation gains over untracked, rocky terrain. The trails range from easy to minimal to non-existent in some places. In addition we may have to ford some streams. Prior hiking experience is not a prerequisite

Pack Weight: By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 15kg (33lbs).

KANANASKIS ALPINE TRAVERSE

VERY CHALLENGING
Our most challenging trip , one involving travel over very rough high mountain terrain with heavier backpacks. A very high level of fitness is required and previous backpacking and/or mountaineering experience is required.

Pack Weight: In addition to regular backpacking gear we will be carrying some mountaineering gear. By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 20kg (44lbs) on the 1st day, thereafter weights drop day by day. There are no food drops.

HIKING & WALKING TOURS

DIFFICULTY

CANADIAN ROCKIES WALKING TOUR

EASY TO MODERATE
This tour involves hiking for up to 5 hours per day, distances up to 12km, elevation gains of up to 600m.  Participants will be carrying a day pack containing spare clothing, camera, lunch and something to drink each day.

GLACIER VIEWS CAMPING TOUR

EASY TO MODERATE
This tour involves hiking for up to 5 hours per day, distances up to 12km, elevation gains of up to 450m. Participants will be carrying a day pack containing spare clothing, camera, lunch and something to drink each day.  This program is designed for fit walkers.

ASSINIBOINE HIKING TOUR

EASY TO MODERATE
This a relaxed walking program and the daily itinerary will be chosen based on the groups energy and aspirations. There is NO technical mountaineering involved in the ridge walking or easy summit. Being in good shape for hill walking will significantly enhance enjoyment.

ESPLANADE TRACK - Hut to Hut

EASY TO MODERATE
This tour involves hiking for up to 5 hours per day, distances up to 8km, elevation gains of up to 500m. Participants will be carrying a daypack containing spare clothing, , lunch and something to drink each day. This program is designed for fit walkers.

YOHO PEAKS & WATERFALLS

EASY TO MODERATE
This tour involves hiking for up to 6 hours per day, distances up to 15km, elevation gains of up to 700m. Participants will be carrying a light (12kg) backpack containing sleeping bag, spare clothing, some food, camera, lunch and something to drink on Days 1 & 4. On Days 2 & 3 they will carry a daypack containing spare clothing, , lunch and something to drink each day. This program is designed for fit walkers.

WAPTA ICEFIELD HIKE

MODERATE
This program is suitable for those with prior hiking experience. Being in good shape already will add to your enjoyment of the trip. Whilst we will be on glacier terrain often associated with mountaineering you don't need any mountaineering experience. You will be using basic equipment which your guide will show you how to use. Your guide will also show you how to walk on the glacier and will explain and interpret the terrain to you.

You need to have some confidence in your hiking skills as the hardest hiking is actually below the glaciers where we will travel on trails that are often rough and rocky. However there is no technical climbing of very steep ice or rock slopes involved.

Pack Weight: By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 14kg (30lbs).