Southern Alberta Family Climbing Trip 2025

Join the second annual Great Plains Section family climbing trip! We’ll spend 26 to 29 July climbing in Southern Alberta (climbing days on 27 and 28 July). There’s an abundance of well-bolted sport climbing in the area just north-west of Maycroft, Alberta, near the Oldman River and south-west of the Bob Creek Wildland area. Much of the climbing is easy to moderate, with a range of slab and featured face climbing suitable to children who can climb 5.6 and above. There are also many intermediate routes for kids (and parents) looking for a challenge. Parents/guardians with any questions about their children’s abilities or suitability should speak with the trip organizer.

Parents/guardians will be placed in groups with their children, and at least one parent/guardian must provide supervision for their children at all times (in other words, one parent must always be on the ground). Please note that the trip is weather-dependent and could be cancelled at the trip leader’s discretion in the event of unfavourable conditions. 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!

Trip meeting
There will be a mandatory pre-trip meeting in early 2025. The meeting will cover trip logistics, expectations of participants and leaders, and participant questions.

Cost
The trip cost is $50 per adult (18+) and $10 per child participant. An active ACC Great Plains membership is required for each participant, including each child (see the ACC website for family membership options). The cost of group camping will be divided evenly amongst family units, and it will be approximately $100 per family for three nights. An optional group supper will be served, at a cost of $10 per participant.

Gear
Participants are responsible for their own personal gear. Gear requirements include climbing shoes, a harness, a carabiner and belay device, and a helmet (mandatory). Depending on the size of child climbers, full body harnesses might be required. The club has a limited number of adult harnesses and adult/child helmets available at no cost to participants 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. One optional group meal will be offered, at a cost of $10 per participant.

Travel and Accommodation
We will camp together at Oldman River North Group Campground, located approximately 20 km from our crags, 49 km north of Coleman up Highway 40, and 30 km north-west of Maycroft taking Highway 22 and Maycroft Road. Access to both the campground and climbing crags involves driving gravel range roads. The campground is located 800 km west of Regina.

The Oldman River North Group Campground is a treed, quiet campground with limited services. All campers will need to bring their own drinking water, as the campground does not have a potable water source, and there are no showers or power hookups at the campground. Participants may camp in either tents or trailers. The campground booking will be made in the spring. 

Trip Application
To apply for the trip, email Jennifer Arends (j_l_arends@yahoo.ca) with the following information:

1. Full names of all participants,
2. ACC membership number for each participant,
3. Whether you need to borrow any club gear,
4. A description of each participant’s level of climbing experience (indoor and outdoor),
5. Each participant’s date of birth, and
6. An emergency name and contact number (cannot be a trip participant).

Note that incomplete applications will not be considered, so please take care to answer all six application questions in your email. The final number of spots available on the trip will be established once leader participation is confirmed in spring 2025.