Master essential glacier travel and rescue skills on this guided course in Strathcona Provincial Park. Choose from a focused one-day session or a detailed two-day experience tailored for mountaineers and backcountry adventurers.
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Difficulty
challenging
Duration
6–12 hours depending on chosen course length
Fitness Level
Participants should have good cardiovascular endurance and be comfortable with sustained physical activity in cold environments.
Wildlife
History
Strathcona Provincial Park was established as British Columbia’s first provincial park in 1911 and remains a cherished wild landscape for mountaineering.
Conservation
The area is managed to protect sensitive alpine ecosystems and minimize human impact, with educational efforts included in courses like this to promote responsible recreation.
VIBE
Master essential glacier travel and rescue skills on this guided course in Strathcona Provincial Park. Choose from a focused one-day session or a detailed two-day experience tailored for mountaineers and backcountry adventurers.
VIBE is a climbing and outdoor-guiding outfitter based in Cumberland, British Columbia, featured on The Adventure Collective. VIBE organizes guided climbs, skills courses, and equipment rental packages across Vancouver Island with a focus on multi-pitch granite routes, alpine objectives, bouldering, and trad climbing instruction.
Trip offerings include single-day and multi-day guided climbs such as guided climbs on Triple Peak, the two-day 22-pitch “Thunderbird” route on Mt. Rugged in the Haihte Range, multi-pitch sessions on Nomash Slab, and two-day guided adventures in Eldred Valley. Instructional programming includes a two-day trad-leading course (“Master the Rack”), a mountain running skills day on Mt. Arrowsmith, and guided bouldering in Duncan, BC.
VIBE also supplies practical rental packages to support guided and independent trips: a rock-climbing rental package that includes helmet, climbing shoes, harness, and chalk bag, and a cooking gear rental with stove, fuel canister, pot, bowl, and cutlery. Trip durations range from one-day guided climbs to multi-day alpine objectives, and available routes span face, crack, and bolted anchor terrain.
Featured coverage on The Adventure Collective highlights specific trip summaries and logistics. For climbers seeking guided granite climbing, multi-pitch challenge routes, bouldering days, or focused skills courses on Vancouver Island, VIBE provides targeted trip options, rental gear, and skill-focused programming to support safe, technical outdoor experiences.
Base Location
Cumberland, BC
Located on Vancouver Island
Trips Offered
11 experiences
Day and multi-day climbs
Guided Options
One- & two-day
Guided climbs and courses available
Gear Rentals
Climbing & cooking
Essential gear packages provided
Choose a day climb, a multi-day alpine objective, or a rental package to prepare for Vancouver Island granite and alpine terrain — reserve a spot or gear today.
Layer Up for Cold Conditions
Wear moisture-wicking base layers and insulated shells to stay warm and dry during glacier travel.
Familiarize Yourself with Rope Knots
Practice key knots like the figure-eight and Prusik before the course to maximize on-site learning.
Check Weather and Avalanche Reports
Strathcona’s weather can change quickly; ensure conditions are safe before heading out.
Bring a Personal Crevasse Rescue Kit
Carrying your own pulleys, prusiks, and harness speeds up rescue drills and improves safety.
Mountaineering Boots
Stiff, insulated boots provide support and warmth necessary for glacier travel.
winter
Climbing Harness
A reliable harness is crucial for practicing rescues and rope techniques safely.
Crampons
Essential for traction on glacier ice, especially on steep or slippery sections.
winter
Helmet
Protects against falling ice and rock during glacier travel and rescue drills.