Teens Climbing Program, in the Time of Covid
Editor’s Note: Since 2009 the Conrad Kain Centennial Society has promoted the legacy of Conrad Kain by offering a free-of-charge three day camp aimed at exposing teens to the rich mountaineering history in the region.
The camp is run annually, and supported by various organizations (including the ACC) in order to keep it free-of-charge. Chairman Pat Morrow, climber and photographer, has hosted successful ACC camps in the past and continues to stoke the fire by getting others out and into the big hills, despite complications surrounding Covid.
All photos in this post are courtesy of Pat.
Venturing with new protocols
It’s that time of year again! And there’s nothing quite like a device-free, non-mechanized/motorized foray into an uncontrolled environment where the seemingly oxymoronic process of careful planning that allows for spontaneous decision-making is paramount to having a good day.
However, due to the pandemic curve ball thrown at us, the Conrad Kain Centennial Society ran a reduced-size teens climbing camp, based out of Invermere. ACMG guide Kirk Mauthner and I had the good fortune to introduce Virginia Denchuk, Christopher Dehart, and Kate Hale (up and coming youth from the valley, so to speak) to some of the funnest “hands on” rock, ice and snow experiences to be found in the Rockies and Purcells.
On three consecutive day trips in two vehicles, (face masks inside), we drove an average of three hours a day to and from the trail heads. On days two and three, Heather Milligan volunteered her services as tail gunner, and first aid attendant (she’s studying to be a medical doctor).
Skill-building in the hills
Day 2. In order to escape the heatwave here in the valley, we headed for the apex of the Purcell range to develop route-finding and glacier-crossing skills. With the spectacular Farnham Group as a backdrop, and a steep snow slope descent, we cooled down by sliding on our backs and practicing self-arrest with ice axes.
On the third and final day, the weather gods threatened to shut us down early, so we chose a lower elevation scramble/hike that’d give us a chance to practice our map and compass reading skills. The location of the sub alpine flowers didn’t appear on the map, and came as a much appreciated bonus.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to the directors and members of the Conrad Kain Centennial Society for their stalwart support, a grant from the Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives Program, individual donors, and parents willing to expose their kids to vertiginous life in the high country.
And to The Alpine Club of Canada for their enduring support of this introductory mountaineering program, which ultimately was inspired by the legacy of their very first mountain guide, Conrad Kain.
Next year, through the newly-established Philippe Delesalle Memorial Grant, and in conjunction with the CKCS, the ACC will be offering The Bugaboos Teens program.
It is a tuition-free mountaineering camp held annually in Bugaboo Provincial Park. It is aimed at students from grades 10 through 12 with the goal of introducing youth to the mountains and giving them the opportunity to forge strong relationships with the natural world. Canadian youth can apply for inclusion on the camp through this grant.
Philippe Delesalle shared the ACC’s deep belief in the value of mountain regions, sports and culture to the human spirit. He was a father, mountain lover, adventurer and architect who spent a lot of time in the Columbia Valley, and resided in Canmore until his passing in 2020. The ACC is honoured to help build a legacy of exposing youth to the alpine in Philippe’s name.
Pat Morrow, chair of the Conrad Kain Centennial Society
Celebrating the Legacy
The Conrad Kain Centennial Society (CKCS) was created in 2007 to celebrate the legacy of mountain guide Conrad Kain, whose life burned like a “splendid fire” as he quietly set new standards during the Golden Age of Canadian mountaineering.
For information on how you can get involved with the Conrad Kain Centennial Society, you can contact the chairman of the society, Pat Morrow, 9154 Fairview Ave., Invermere, BC, VOA 1K5; (250) 341-3554 or sign-up to receive the Society newsletter.