Kenora Women’s Climbing Trip
August 21 - August 25
Join the second annual Great Plains Section Women’s Climbing Trip (includes those who identify as women)! We’ll spend August 21-25 climbing in Northwestern Ontario (climbing days Aug 22, 23, and option for 24th). There are an abundance of fun climbs (including a couple multi-pitch climbs) among the many crags in the Goosenecks area, located about an hour north of Kenora, Ontario.
This trip is beginner friendly (gym top-rope experience is recommended) and grades in the Goosenecks range from 5.6 to 5.12, so there’s fun for everyone. The crags have a wide range of climbing, including some chimneys and other styles that you don’t often see in the gym. When you’re tired of climbing, cool off with a swim in a nearby lake!
In the event of minor inclement weather, hiking or other alternatives will be provided, wherever possible. Trip participants should bring a flexible, positive attitude and a desire for adventure, no matter what that adventure turns out to be!
Cost:
The trip cost is $50 per person. An active ACC Great Plains membership is required for each participant. There are also motel/cabin fees for anyone who chooses.
Travel and Accommodations:
We will coordinate carpooling; directions will be provided to participants in the pre-trip communications.
Camping is available for free within 5 minutes of the climbing areas, or people can choose to stay in a hotel or cabin in the nearby town of Minaki (20 minutes away). The camping area has a pit toilet, fire pit, and space for approximately 15 tents (with 10-15 more spots a short walk away). The area also edges onto Gooseneck Lake, where people can bathe/cool off. For those who prefer, a motel, AirBNB rentals, and yurts are available in Minaki (costs range from $40-165/person/night, depending on style and number of people sharing). We can discuss coordinating rentals, if there is interest.
Gear
Climbing gear requirements include climbing shoes, a harness, and a helmet (mandatory); belayers also need carabiner and belay device. The club’s gear cache has a limited number of harnesses and helmets available at no cost to participants, as well as several backpacking tents and backpacks, on a first-come first-served basis. Please indicate on your trip application if you wish to borrow club gear. A recommended packing list will be provided to confirmed trip participants.
Meals
Participants are responsible for their own meals, including bagged lunches and snacks on climbing days.
Trip Application
To apply, contact Brianna at briannawyn@icloud.com with the subject line WOMENS CLIMB and provide the following information. Please take care to answer all application questions in your email. The final number of spots available on the trip will be established once leader participation is confirmed in spring 2026.
- First and last name
- Phone number and email of each participant
- ACC membership number for each participant (must be registered with the Great Plains Section)
- Preference to camp (free) or book accommodations (for a cost)
- Interest in 2 or 3 days of climbing
- Whether you need to borrow any club gear
- Emergency contact name and phone number (cannot be a trip participant)
- Allergies and medical issues for each participant (will remain confidential)
- Short description of each participant’s level of climbing experience (indoor and outdoor) plus expectations/goals for the trip (sport climbing, anchor building, grades of interest, “getting outside with women”, etc).
If the number of applicants exceeds the trip capacity, expectations and application completeness will be reviewed to ensure a cohesive group experience, and a waitlist will be generated.
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Register to attend a trip with the Alpine Club of Canada Great Plains Section
Trip Info & Guidelines
Guidelines For Trip Participants
All trips listed in the Great Plains Section’s trip schedule are coordinated by amateur volunteer hikers, skiers and climbers. When on a trip, participants must act in a manner that is safe and responsible and participants are expected to bring the equipment requested by the trip organizer. Participants should find out the requirements and demands of the trip well in advance by asking the organizer and researching the trip in guidebooks and other literature. You must be a member of the Great Plains Section of the Alpine Club of Canada to join a trip.
Further guidelines for participants
- Be prepared to complete a Release of Liability (Waiver). Waiver Form
- You must be a member of the Great Plains Section of the Alpine Club of Canada to join a trip.
- Sign up for trips that will challenge you, but are not beyond your abilities. If unsure, ask the trip organizer and tell them your experience and fitness level. People inexperienced in the mountains should start with easier trips.
- Learn about the trip before you attend (which route, number of kilometers, amount of vertical gain/loss, type of terrain, length of day, etc.).
- Give as much notice as possible to the trip organizer if you are unable to go on the trip. There are often waiting lists of other members who would like to go. If you do not provide enough notice of cancellation for your spot to be filled, your trip deposit will not be refunded.
- Ensure that you have the right equipment and that it is in good repair.
- For winter trips, ensure that you are using a digital avalanche transceiver and that it is in good working order. Single antenna/analog transceivers are not acceptable.
- Bring your helmet on all moderate and difficult scrambles and all climbing trips. Leaders may ask you to bring your helmet on certain ski trips as well.
- Be prepared to contribute to the trip and carry part of the group gear (ropes, etc.).
Personal Insurance
As a broker for TuGo, the ACC offers Emergency Medical Insurance, Trip Cancellation Insurance, Baggage Insurance and more. These policies are available to all Canadians travelling outside their home province within Canada as well as internationally.
If you require medical attention while you’re traveling outside of your home province, or outside of Canada, your provincial health care plan may not cover you. The ACC’s trip insurance covers air ambulance, emergency medical and many other medical expenses. Climbing, skiing and other backcountry accidents are not exempted (as they are with many insurers).
For more information and online quotes, click here.
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