Guided Climbs

Trips to Mountains such as Elkhorn, Mount Septimus, The Comox Glacier, Argus, Harmston, Red Pillar, The Golden Hinde, Rambler Peak, Mount Colonel Foster, Helicopter Accessed Alpine Climbing Adventures and Mt Waddington are but some of the many guided alpine climbs which we offer.

Elkhorn

The second highest peak on Vancouver Island, Elkhorn is the "Matterhorn of the Island Alps". The classic North West Ridge was the line of first ascent by an Alpine Club expedition led by A.O Wheeler in 1912. While the first ascent was made nearly one hundred years ago, the six thousand foot ascent from the valley floor to the summit as well as some low fifth class rock climbing, mean this trip is still challenging today. Some hiking and scrambling experience are recommended. The trip is best done as a three day outing but can be done in two days by very fit parties. Guest to guide ratio up to 2:1.

Dates: Running June to September. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Price: $675/person. (at 2:1 ratio for three day trip)

Included in the price: Guide, use of harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food, and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organized between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

Comox Glacier Climb

For many who have gazed up from sea level to the Comox Glacier the lure of standing on top of it is irresistible.  Join our guides on a three day hike to the summit of the glacier. The views looking down from the top back to sea level are amazing.  Spend the 1st night at Mirren Lake then climb the snow colouir to just beside the summit of the Glacier then follow the normal route back down via the frog pond route.  This climb travels over 2 glaciers and covers some of the most impressive terrain in Strathcona park.

Dates: Running June to September. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Price: $405 (at 6:1 ratio as a three day trip).

Included in the price: Guide and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food, tents and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organized between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

Mount Septimus

Mount Septimus is perhaps the most dramatic alpine feature in Southern Strathcona Park. Rising above the park's most famous alpine body of water, Cream Lake, a climb of Mount Septimus during a traverse from the Bedwell Valley to the Price Valley makes a wonderful four-day outing. Some hiking and scrambling experience are recommended. Client to guide ratio up to 2:1. 

Dates: Running June to September. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Price: $900 per person (at 2:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide, use of harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organised between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

Comox Glacier Triple Crown - Argus, Harmston and Red Pillar

The Comox Glacier dominates the skyline above the towns of Courtenay and Comox. This gleaming mass of alpine ice is a tantalizing goal for the fit hiker. Accessible from the Comox Glacier are some significant alpine features, including Mount Argus, Mount Harmston and the Red Pillar. A spectacular traverse from the Ash River to the Comox Glacier to climb all three of these peaks makes a wonderful four day mountain adventure if you're fit and have some hiking and scrambling experience. The views from these peaks are panoramic and unforgettable.  Guest to guide ratio 2:1.

Dates: Running June to September. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Price: $900/person (at 2:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide, use of harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organised between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

The Golden Hinde

The lure of the highest peak is always a strong one. But with the Golden Hinde the appeal is even more so because of the remoteness of this, the highest mountain on Vancouver Island. Really more of a committed hiking journey the trip does include terrain where a rope and perhaps an axe or crampons may come into use. Back-packing and scrambling experience are recommended. The walk to and ascent of the Hinde combine to make a magical 8 day traverse on foot of some of the finest mountain wilderness anywhere and the top of the island as a reward. A must do for any island mountain enthusiast. Client to guide ratio 4:1.

Dates: Running July to September. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Price: $1080 per person (at 4:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide, use of harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organised between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

Rambler Peak

Set in the dramatic wilderness of the upper Elk Valley, Rambler peak offers one of the finest moderate technical rock routes anywhere. The west buttress offers 650 metres of clean basalt climbing directly to the summit. Awesome as it is, the difficulty rating never exceeds 5.6. After enjoying the breathtaking view from the top, you make a dramatic descent into the vast granite slabs of Elk pass. A strenuous 3-day trip. Island Alpine Guides intro rock or equivalent and some scrambling experience are recommended. Client to guide ratio up to 2:1.

Price: $675 per person (at 2:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide, use of rock shoes, harness, helmet and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organised between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

Photo by Philip Stone

Mount Colonel Foster - The full summit traverse

 While the east face of "The Colonel" is perhaps it's most well known aspect, the truly all-encompassing approach to this impressive mountain is to claim all its summits. A superb alpine traverse with huge exposure and varied and interesting climbing, this is without a doubt an Island classic. Most of the climbing is fourth and low fifth class with a few moves up to 5.8. All the climbing can be done in mountain boots. You need to be very fit, have scrambling experience and be comfortable soloing on 4th class ground. Island Alpine Guides Mountain Skills course or equivalent, comfort with exposure, and a willingness to bivouac in the open are all pre-requisites to join us on this climb. The trip takes three days and is done at a maximum client to guide ratio of 1:1.

Dates: Running mid July to mid August. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Price:   $1200 per person (at 1:1 ratio).

Included in the price: Guide, use of harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and group technical gear.

Not included in the price: Transportation, food and personal clothing and equipment (list supplied on booking). Transport, food and tenting logistics will be organised between participants and IAG. Optional catering of three meals per day can be provided by IAG for a cost of $40/person/day.

Photo by Philip Stone

Helicopter Accessed Alpine Climbing Adventures:

With the use of a helicopter for access a number of very exciting alpine ascents on Vancouver Island become accessible in a single day trip. These include Mount Matchlee, Victoria Peak and Rugged Mountain to name a few. All of these peaks have a number of routes from straightforward scrambles to more technical lines. Guest to guide ratios will depend on the technicality of the route chosen. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information and a quote.

Mount Waddington

The highest mountain in BC has a lure of course but Waddington is a very special peak for reasons beyond it's place at the top of the elevation list. Set in a vast and dramatic wilderness the height of Waddington is particularly noticeable when you stand on it's 4015m summit and gaze upon the ocean! Our week long trip into the Waddington area aims to climb a few other peaks in the area before heading for the main objective. If you have some mountaineering experience and Waddington has been on your list (as it is for mountaineers the world over!). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details.