Technical Mountain Running (Advanced Clinic)

Ready to take your trail running beyond the beaten path?

This clinic is built for runners who are curious about alpine terrain and eager to explore the blur between mountain running and mountaineering. Whether you're eyeing bigger objectives or just want to build confidence off-trail, this program will equip you with the skills to move safely and efficiently through technical mountain environments. Choose between the Basic Clinic and the Advanced Clinic depending on your experience and the skills you want to develop.

Join professional mountain athlete Eric Carter and ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide Drew De Panicis for a hands-on, progression-based experience. You'll learn essential techniques for rock and snow travel, technical descents, basic rope work, hazard assessment, and endurance strategies—no previous climbing or mountaineering experience required.

Step into the alpine with knowledge, confidence, and a crew to back you up.

BASIC CLINIC DETAILS:

DATES AND TIMES: Event takes place over two days in Squamish and the Sea-to-Sky Alpine areas

Day 1: June 28, 9:00 am - 4:00pm

Day 2: June 29, 7-9ish - 5:00pm

PRE-REQUISITES:

Able to comfortably complete a 15-20km run with ~1500m+ of elevation gain in 6-7 hrs (mix of run/jog/hike) with plenty of breaks. Some experience with scrambling is beneficial however you are not expected to be a rock climber.

COURSE CONTENTS:

• Packing for mountain running - What to bring for different objectives, what stays in the pack always, or only sometimes. What to carry in duplicate, or as group gear.
• Technical descents - Learn how to negotiate descending on technical terrain, from rappelling, to establishing and building your own anchors, to hand lines and down-climbing techniques.
• Identifying mountain hazards - Learn how to identify, avoid and/or safely manage mountain hazards on snow, ice and rock, above your head and below your feet
• Technical gear - understand the equipment available for minimal safe travel from personal anchors, belay devices, carabiners, etc
• Rock climbing/scrambling techniques - develop your flow and comfort on rock, understand the difference between “grades” or “classes” of mountain routes, and how to know when you’re off route
• Snow and ice movement skills (venue dependent) - hone your slick-surface movement skills, how to use your axe, how to kick or cut steps, and know when you’re mountaineering (not running)
• Improvised descents: how to build anchors to escape the mountains with minimal equipment left behind

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

Day 1: Squamish Session

9:00am: Meet at Smoke Bluff Parking Lot for intros and light stretch

9:30am: Move to cliffs to discuss technical gear

10:00am: Rock climbing and scrambling movement (on ropes - no experience required)

11:30am: Lunch

12:00pm: Technical descending with light weight equipment for running

1:30pm: Smoke bluffs loop: Putting it all together.

4:00pm: Close Day

Day 2: Alpine Session

7:00 - 9:00am: Meet at alpine objective trailhead and head into the mountains for the day to put all the skills together again and cover the rest of the topics (NOTE: Expect the addition of a lift ticket for the Sea-to-sky Gondola or Whistler Blackcomb)

5:00pm: Course close

GEAR LIST:

Please note, bring additional layers for this course than you would for a typical running objective. We will be standing around more than usual and the mountains can be unforgiving. Think layers. A light puffy jacket is probably a minimum requirement. Instructors will advise you based on the objective and the forecast.

• Running shoes
• Running pack
• Food and water (or gels and empty bottles)
• Harness (Lightweight “ski” harnesses are recommended)
• Helmet (consider this almost mandatory when in mountain terrain)
• Warm Layers (for standing around and learning)
• Microspikes
• Personal First Aid/Blister Kit
• Potential to need pants and long sleeve shirts for snow movement skills (TBD)

TECHNICAL GEAR LIST: You will want the following items in your kit but we can provide this for you for the course

• 1 x Petzl "H-frame" Locking Carabiner or similar
• 1x Locking carabiner (Any type)
• 1 x 120 cm sewn sling
• 1 x 1m length of 5mm accessory cord
• ATC style belay device
• Light weight ice axe

WEATHER DISCLAIMER! This one is important, everyone. There are no refunds for this course and it will be held rain or shine with the venue and terrain being selected for a safe execution. We cannot promise summits or guarantee we will go to a selected area without consulting the weather forecast a few days prior to the trip. This decision making is also a large part of making safe decisions in the mountains and will hopefully prove valuable. Unfortunately, we can’t make it perfect. But we promise you will learn a ton and go running regardless of where we go.