The GMC: Then and Now 2021
Some things never change. Other things…well, they sure do.
The ACC’s General Mountaineering Camp (GMC) has been an ACC tradition since 1906 when the club was formed. Each summer, we set up a basecamp in a remote mountain range, bring in guides, outstanding cooks and keen climbers from across the country and around the world, and have a great old time on the glaciers and peaks and in camp.
The GMC is open to mountain enthusiasts of all kinds! Young and old, novice to expert, intrepid or laid back, everyone can feel at home at the GMC. The large camp size (typically 31 participants, five guides and four volunteer leaders each week) allow for different groups to target a wide range of objectives. Each day, YOU decide which group you’d like to join depending on your ability, fitness and desired length of day.
Since our beginnings in 1906, the best things about the GMC haven’t changed. What has changed is how we go about it.
Get to know the GMC below!
When you’re going to a camp one of the first things you probably think of is tents. Until modern times, the tents at the GMC were made of canvas, probably supported by a locally-felled tree as a centre pole, had a dirt floor and no bug screen. Tents at the GMC today are all top-of-the-line Mountain Hardwear Trango mountaineering tents designed to withstand the elements in the alpine. All tents are private, meaning you’ll only share yours with a partner you come to camp with. If you come on your own, you get a private tent.
Access to camp in the early part of the 20th century involved long rides in trains, trucks and on horseback. We have no idea how long it took to set up camp. Today, our guests meet in Golden, BC, convoy (or take the shuttle van) to the staging area where helicopters fly everything, including participants, into basecamp. Day 1 of camp is spent learning glacier skills and exploring the area around camp, not resting from the trek in.
Camp has always been a place for people to climb and hang out with old friends and meet new ones. Today, we have the luxury of camp chairs, puffy down jackets and sandals for tired feet (bring a few cans of your own beer if you’d like).
Many of our guests are surprised at how good the food is at GMC today. With weekly helicopter resupplys, it’s all fresh food (nothing freeze-dried) and each week features a diverse, nutritious and satisfying menu. Think Mexican night, turkey night, Greek night, lasagna night… Breakfasts include pancakes, French toast, fresh-baked scones, fresh fruit and more The old picture is from a camp in the 1930s where boiled porcupine was very popular.
GMC participants have always been included in the washing up – it’s all a part of the shared camp experience. Same as the old days, we just have better systems for sanitizing today.
One of the biggest improvements in gear from the early days has to be the ropes. Old hemp ropes were difficult to work with, were static (didn’t stretch) and weighed a tonne. All ropes and group climbing equipment is supplied and managed by camp staff, meaning you just have to show up with your personal gear.
Some things never change: the GMC is all about sharing awesome days and climbs and summits with friends.
Alpine flowers are definitely prettier since colour was invented.
Marmots - are they getting fatter?
Each year the GMC is in a different wild and remote mountain area in western Canada. The basecamps and the peaks change, but there’s always glaciers, summits and great adventure.
What’s your summit celebration?
In addition to the kitchen team, the GMC is staffed with professional mountain guides, experienced leaders and a camp manager. The guiding team decides on the objectives for each day and participants sign up to go on the one that suits them. Days can be long and involve summits, or they can be relaxed and more laid back, hiking to waterfalls and mountain meadows. There are also sites for learning the ropes for rock climbing and glacier travel. The choice is yours.
Fleece and down have replaced the heavy wool of yesteryear; trucker caps are the new fedora; neckties, pipes and hobnail boots are all gone. The mountains are largely the same as last century, we think we just enjoy them more!
The GMC has been an ACC and a Canadian tradition since 1906.
Everyone is welcome. Join us!
Whether you're looking to challenge yourself on remote alpine summits, savour delicious chef-prepared food at 2,000m, or enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals, the GMC offers it all.
The 2021 GMC weeks run from July 10th through August 19th. The camp sells out every year so register early to avoid disappointment!