This September, Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing will host three new Canadian Ski Guide Association (CSGA) introduction to mountaineering courses. Designed for people of all ages and led by a fully certified guide, the courses are created for those interested in building a foundation and expanding his or her mountaineering knowledge base. Using the mountains as the classroom, the three non-accredited courses will take place out of Blue River, B.C.
Prompted from the success of last year’s Junior Summer Glacier Course, where young adults learn various rope and anchoring system skills, the additional new classes will take it one step further with an advanced junior course and adult course. The new courses will introduce the skills and techniques to travel safely over rock and ice in an alpine environment. Participants will learn mountain travel navigation, rock and ice climbing techniques, glacier travel, snow, ice and rock anchors, crevasse rescue and ice axe and crampon use.
Education and training safely in the backcountry is something Mike Wiegele is very passionate about. Wiegele helped establish the CSGA over 20 years ago and continuously strives to be a worldwide leader in safety. By endorsing non-accredited children and adult programs out in the field, Wiegele hopes to increase safety and awareness to everybody that enjoys spending time in the mountains.
Although the Canadian Ski Guide Association’s main focus is on training guides for the mechanized ski industry, the non-profit organization believes there is a need for non-professional enthusiasts as well. Bob Sayer, CSGA president notes, “it shouldn’t matter whether you choose to pursue it as a career or a pastime, there should be education options for everybody - learning essential skills and techniques benefit anybody that sets foot in the backcountry.”
– Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing