Welcome to our fifth annual outdoor Queer Climbing Collective trip, July 17-19, 2026! We will be heading down to the David Thompson Corridor for the evening of Friday, July 17th and finishing the trip on the evening of Sunday, July 19.

Thanks to the Alpine Club of Canada, Edmonton Section we are able to offer this trip at a very subsidized cost. Please note this trip is a closed 2S/LGBTQIA+ space, and you must be 18+ to participate.

This trip has spaces for both new outdoor climbers (have either never climbed, or only climbed indoors before) and independent lead climbers who own their own lead climbing gear and want to come make memories with us! Please note that this particular sign up is for guided group members only.

Participants in the guided group can expect to learn about the top rope climbing system (knots, belaying, checks and comms), movement techniques, hazard management, equipment strength, and if time allows, rappelling and anchor building/cleaning. Climbers who already top rope climb indoors but want to gain experience outdoors in a supportive setting are welcome to join.

We are able to offer 12 guided spots with ACMG guides Ren Lavergne (they/them) and Janet Wong (they/them).  Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis. If you register and are unable to attend, please let us know ASAP so someone else has the opportunity to fill the spot.

Folks will be climbing all day Saturday and Sunday. We will be in a group campsite Friday and Saturday evening. There may be opportunities to swim at Lake Abraham or other nearby locations.

Please bring:

- camping gear:

• tent
• sleeping bag, mat, pillow
• campstove and fuel (there may be a fire ban, so don't assume you'll be able to cook over the fire!), kitchen kit (pots, plate, mug, etc.)
• flashlight and or headlamp
• toiletries (please note there are no showers, running water, or flush toilets at the campsite so plan accordingly)

- all food you require for the weekend

- water! There is no potable water where we are camping

- Climbing gear:

• Day pack
• Helmet and harness (either your own or the gear assigned to you for the weekend)
• Climbing shoes (can be provided by guides if needed)
• Belay device (can be provided by guides if needed)
• Clothing allowing for easy and complete range of movement
• Rain jacket (Note: this event will run, rain or shine)
• Running shoes, approach shoes or hiking boots
• Warm weather gear as necessary for the season (e.g., sunscreen, sunglasses, layers)
• Bear spray (optional)
• Guides will supply ropes

We might be able to provide climbing and basic camping gear for guided group members upon request. Please email yegqueerclimbing@gmail.com if you are missing anything from the gear list and can't source/borrow gear. We will provide snacks (fruit, granola bars, s'mores if there's no fire ban) but everyone is responsible for their own meals.

We will be without cell service so you may want to bring a satellite phone if you own one. 

A camp chair for sitting around the fire is a nice to have. We have also had folks set up hammocks and slacklines in the past. 

Our trip takes place in the David Thompson Corridor, which is the present day home and historical meeting grounds of several Indigenous Nations including  Ktunaxa (Kootenay), Piikani (Peigan), Kainai (Blood), Siksika (Blackfoot), Tsuu T'ina (Sarcee), Atsina, Nakoda (Stoney, Assiniboine), and Nehiyawak (Cree). The Kootenay Plains are the location of many Indigenous gravesites and a place of great spiritual significance. We invite you to reflect on what it means to "visit well,", challenging colonial notions of conquering the mountain. This video is a great jumping off point for such reflection.

We will be camping at Kootenay Plains and will provide more detailed site information to registered guests.

We will be camping as a group, and unfortunately no pets can attend.  If you are looking to register for the independent group, please see the other QCC Trip sign up. We only allow use of legal substances (alcohol and cannabis), used responsibly. All participants are expected to be self-responsible, and respectful of other participants and our campsite at all times. Additionally, we require that participants be sober, alert, and attentive while climbing, hiking, or at the crag to keep themselves and others safe. 

The true cost of camping, snacks, and firewood is approximately $65 per person if you are sleeping in your own sleeping unit. The trip is sliding scale and we are asking participants to contribute $25-$100 depending on what is financially accessible for you. Once you have submitted registration to the calendar, an organizer will reach out to you to confirm your registration and organize payment. We are able to take e-transfer and cash.

Please note there is a mandatory pre-trip meeting on June 29th at 7 pm, with location TBD.

Full refund available until June 17. Any later refunds will be considered on a case by case basis. Historically our trips have filled up, so please give us as much notice as possible if you realize you won't be able to make it.