Don't let your fear of bears, cougars or other animals keep you out of the backcountry. In this 2-hour lecture, learn about bear signs and behaviours, how to avoid them and what to do when you do meet an animal on the trail. Prerequisite: none. Includes: instructor.

Join us for a day of group hiking in the Bow Valley, Kananaskis Country and beyond with an experienced guide. Enjoy spring flowers, ridgetop views, pristine lakes, alpine meadows and fall colours while learning about local ecology, pacing, travel skills, map reading, group safety and more. Trips are available for all fitness levels and interests. Prerequisite: none. Includes: guide. Some trips include van transportation.

Want to take your hiking skills to the next level? Spend a day learning the techniques and equipment used to scramble a low-commitment Rockies peak while attempting to gain the summit. Summit objectives will be at the guide's discretion, but popular choices include Mount Baldy, Mount Yamnuska, and Mount Rundle.

You will learn fundamental scrambling skills including:

- hazard recognition and management
- navigation and trip planning
- pacing
- clothing systems
- communication and rescue techniques
- protection options including spotting and use of a hand line
- rock climbing and scrambling movement

Many of our instructors and guides are available for individual lessons or private guided trips. We have the ability to customize an experience based on skillset and needs. If you have something specific in mind, email ocprograms@ucalgary.ca and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.

Mt. Temple, which dominates your view as you drive West into Lake Louise, is perhaps the most visible of the 10,000 foot peaks in the Candian Rockies. It is also the second highest peak in Banff National Park and the first 11,000-er to be ascended - in 1894. We will hike from Morraine Lake very early in the morning and ascend the SW slopes via Sentinel Pass. This is a long scramble of moderate technical difficulty, which can involve travel on snow and some short fifth class rock steps. Once on the summit you'll be rewarded with views of the Lake Louise group, Mt. Hector to the North, and the Valley of the Ten Peaks.