First things first - we aren't a big fan of spammy email.  However, we do like to keep in touch with folks that we've spent time with in the mountains to let them know what we are up to.  Our somewhat - quarterly - ish newsletters are how we do this.  If newsletters aren't your cup-of-tea hit the 'unsubscribe' link at the bottom.  Our feelings won't be hurt (well maybe a little), but in a world of way-too-much-email, we get it.

After a great first summer of operation (thanks to all of you!), we are starting to plan some great trips for 2017.  If you have any suggestions or feedback on this year - we'd love to hear it.  Send us a review at: https://goo.gl/XzRlIw.  Although we'd love to bribe you to give us a review (it helps us out a lot!), apparently that isn't allowed. Trust us, we are very grateful for every review we receive, so we'll just have to send you some virtual hugs instead<img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_5e8d4aad3d8d4ee1a84d60c9f939c7c4.png_256" width="22">.

Read on to hear a little bit about what we've got in store for next summer and the upcoming winter!

Lake O'Hara

Beautiful rain or shine!  As many of you know, getting reservations to this special place is not easy, and we were lucky enough to secure spots for many of our guests this year.  The challenge of getting reservations is well worth it though.  As our National Parks had one of their busiest years ever, the importance and value of a visitor quota system at Lake O’Hara is becoming ever more apparent.  If you or your friends are interested in visiting Lake O’Hara next year, please contact us early with potential dates.  We compete for the very limited commercial spaces – which come available three months ahead of time.  There are no guarantees, but if you provide us with the dates you are interested in, we will do our best to get you a spot on the coveted orange school bus!

'Climate Change and Glaciers' Interpretive Hike

We are planning several scheduled interpretive hikes, that will be specifically focused on learning about the climate history of the Rocky Mountains, the current state of affairs (including recent research) and what the future holds for glaciers in this area.  For 2017, we are offering two itineraries - one in Yoho National Park and another up near the Columbia Icefields. Jaime will guide this hike, and as a specialist in alpine geoscience (she holds a PhD in this discipline), she has the recent research at her fingertips.  Join her for an informative but fun hike.  These hikes will be on trails that have scenic views of glaciers and lots of points of interest to witness the glacially influenced landscape.

Tentative Dates:

Iceline Trail:  July 8, 9  and August 26, 27

Wilcox Pass: July 25, 26 and August 29, 30

Rockies Backpacking Trips 

We are once again offering a full schedule of backpacking trips, including the Kootenay Rockwall, the Jonas-Brazeau Loop, and the Sawback Traverse.  New for this year, we'll be providing transportation to and from the trailheads .  There are great shuttle services available from the Calgary airport, and within Canmore there are many amenities available within walking distance, so you'll be able to have a car-free vacation!

 We are also offering a Yoho backpacking trip that will traverse the Iceline and Whaleback trails.  This is a great introductory trip, with shorter daily distances through the most scenic parts of Yoho.  So if you are new to backpacking, or simply like a slightly slower pace, with time to relax in camp, then this trip is a great choice

Schedule:

Yoho Traverse:  July 1- 4

Jonas-Brazeau Loop: July 16 - 21

Sawback Traverse:  August 2 - 6

Rockwall Traverse: August 13 - 18

 Email us if you'd like to book a trip or watch our website and blog for more details.  As always, if the scheduled dates don't work for you, contact us and we can work together to find a trip and dates that work for you.

Multi-day Hut-to-Hut trip in the Yoho Valley : Sept 9 - 12

This multi-day hut trip will be great for folks that would love to spend a few days hiking in the backcountry, without the burden of a heavy backpack.  The Yoho trip will involve a hike of the Iceline trail and the Whaleback, with overnights at the Stanley Mitchell Hut and the historic Twin Falls Chalet.  We'll be staying in comfortable, but rustic, accommodations in the heart of the alpine, during the onset of larch season.  If you, or someone you know, would like more information, please email us to express your interest:  info@astermountainadventures.com.

We are currently busy getting ready for the winter season!  We aren’t offering any scheduled winter backcountry trips for 2016/17.  However, if you are interested in guided backcountry skiing, glacier travel or avalanche education programs – please get in touch. 

If you are interested in a European hut-based traverse, Simon will be guiding the 'Haute Route' Traverse in France next spring.  This is a super classic trip that travels through glaciated terrain, that is suited to experienced backcountry skiers.  Each night is spent in a well equipped hut (much more luxurious than our rustic huts in Canada!).  There are still a few spaces on this trip, so send us an email to get some more info.

Happy Autumn to you all!

info@astermountainadventures.com           www.astermountainadventures.com