Description
Climbing trips, organized by volunteer leaders, are held throughout the year. Gatineau Park offers numerous cliffs with good quality rock and shorter routes. Trips are also organized to Bon Echo (west of Ottawa on Highway 41) and to the Adirondacks, White Mountains and Maine.
These trips are not training events, so if you are unfamiliar with a listed location, please check with the designated trip leader to ensure the trip is suitable for your skill level.
Ice Climbing
There are a large number of very enthusiastic ice climbers in the Ottawa section. If there is any ice around to climb on, the chances are that someone is leading a climbing trip that weekend. Ottawa is blessed with a lot of very good ice within a one to two hour drive. Trips for beginners are usually held at nearby Gatineau Park, or in the Calabogie hills, two hours west of Ottawa. Each season, several trips are run to more distant venues such as Val David near Montreal, the Adirondacks in New York and Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont.
Ice climbing trips typically provide options for a wide variety of climbing at many different degrees of difficulty. Those with limited experience can hone their skills with the safety of a top rope, while more experienced climbers can attempt more difficult routes.
Attending an OutingThe local trips are one day. If you want to go on a climb, you must call the trip organizer by the Thursday before the weekend. The organizer will decide by then whether it runs on Saturday or Sunday. Normally we meet at one of the Champlain bridge parking lots at 9 AM. If you have to cancel, call the trip organizer.
Out of Town trips normally are over the weekend. Participants often leave the Friday evening to meet at the trailhead on Saturday morning. Contact the trip organizer for details and to arrange car pooling.
Trip LeadersTrips can't happen without trip leaders -- leaders are always needed, and new ones are always encouraged to participate. Can't find a regular climbing partner, or ditched by your partner who went west in search of the mythical "big wall"? Volunteer to lead a trip! Chances are, there's probably someone else in the club in the same boat as you are. Leading a trip is a great way to meet other members in the club.
If you don't think you have the experience to lead a trip, then volunteer to be an assistant leader to an experienced club member. Being mentored by an experienced climber is an excellent way to pick up experience and learn from the seasoned pros in the club. Take advantage of their knowledge an experience; unlike guiding schools where it will likely cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in courses, it will only cost you a few beers at pub night. Talk to one of the experienced club members for trip ideas, and get involved!
