WHERE: Lake O’Hara, Elizabeth Parker Hut, Yoho National Park
WHEN: July 13-18, 2025 – 5 nights total: 1 night at ACC Canmore, 4 nights at Elizabeth Parker Hut
DESCRIPTION: The Elizabeth Parker Hut in Yoho National Park is one of the most easily accessible alpine huts in the Alpine Club of Canada network. Surrounded by stunning lakes, glaciers, and numerous peaks, the hut provides access to excellent climbing and hiking opportunities. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the breathtaking beauty of Lake O’Hara while developing your mountaineering skills and connecting with fellow outdoor enthusiasts! The ACC Toronto Section Mountaineering Camp will be held at this beautiful location, where participants will stay in the fully equipped Elizabeth Parker Hut (sleeps 24) for four nights.
Section Camp will start in Canmore on the afternoon of Sunday July 13 with an overnight stay in ACC Canmore before taking a chartered bus from Brewster to the Lake O’Hara parking lot. The trailhead will then be accessed via Parks Canada shuttle bus. The hut is a short, relatively easy hike of 0.5 km (~10 minutes, 30 m elevation gain) from the trailhead at Le Relais Cafe. The Toronto Section will have the hut exclusively for 4 nights and will depart the afternoon of the 18th (Friday) for Canmore. Exiting will be similar to entering; shuttle to Lake O’Hara parking then chartered bus back to ACC Canmore. At that point the trip will be over.
Registration Opens: Saturday, January 25th, 2025, at 9:00 AM (See below for registration details)
Activities
This area offers a wide variety of activities suitable for all skill levels, including hiking, scrambling, alpine climbing, mixed routes, and excellent quality rock climbing. Routes range from 5th-class ridges to multi-pitch climbs.
- Introduction to Mountaineering Course (Guided): Limited to 3 participants. Includes 4 days of guided instruction covering rock climbing skills, rope techniques, anchor building, rock rescue, navigation, and potential peak ascents.
- Self-Guided Activities: Limited to 20 participants, including hiking, scrambling, alpine rock climbing, and mountaineering. Participants must have appropriate experience (screening required).
- Advanced Mountaineering Course (Guided): Limited to 2 participants. Focused on honing advanced rock skills, mountain navigation, and related techniques. By application only.
Details
Duration: 5 nights total: 1 night at ACC Canmore, 4 nights at Elizabeth Parker Hut
Included: Food for the trip duration, a chef, park passes, and shuttle transportation from ACC hostel in Canmore.
Travel Details: Chartered bus from the ACC hostel in Canmore on July 14 to Lake O’Hara parking lot. Parks Canada shuttle bus from parking to trailhead. This travel is included in the cost.
Optional: At additional cost – extend your stay in Canmore. The ACC cabin in Canmore will be available to those interested from July 11th to 13th, and available after the section camp from July 18th to 20th.
(Estimated) COST:
- Intro to Mountaineering Course: Based on a 3:1 guide-to-participant ratio. ~$2000 (TBC)
- Advanced Mountaineering Course: Based on a 2:1 guide-to-participant ratio. ~$2500 (TBC)
- Self-Guided Participant: Based on a minimum of 16 participants. ~$1000 (TBC)
Costs are subject to change and will finalize as the trip date approaches. A non-refundable deposit is required by February 1, 2025, to secure your spot:
The remaining balance can be paid in installments, with full payment due by Sunday June 1, 2025.
REGISTRATION:
Registration opens at 9:00 AM on Saturday, January 25th, 2025. To register, email the Mountaineering Coordinator, Rob Patterson, at mountaineering@alpineclubtoronto.ca. Please include the following:
- Your preferred activity (Intro Course, Advanced Course, Self-Guided Rope Leader, or Self-Guided Participant).
- A summary of your previous mountaineering experience (e.g., backcountry experience, camps, courses, peaks climbed, and other relevant details).
GEAR: Gear list will be provided after qualification for Section Camp has been determined.
MAX PARTICIPANTS: 22 (TBC)
TRIP CLASSIFICATION: B/C
HAZARDS: Terrain, Rockfall and Icefall, General Hazards, Falls and Belaying, Communication and Rescue. Review trip hazards on our website: https://alpineclubtoronto.ca/activities/trip-hazards/ and contact trip leaders for more details.
WAIVER: Signing of ACC trip waiver is mandatory. Please read and be aware of the ACC waiver before attending. Members sign the waiver when completing renewal/registration. Please ensure that your membership is up to date. Non-members are asked to sign the waiver in person when attending.