July 29th to August 9th 2024

Explore British Columbia’s iconic glaciers

Girls* on Ice Canada - Illecillewaet Expedition is a unique Canadian mountain experience that is packed full of dynamic glaciers, hardy alpine ecosystems, and beautiful landscapes. Accompanied by certified mountain guides, professional scientists, and artists, a team of ten girls* explores the Illecillewaet valley and the Asulkan glacier in Glacier National Park in British Columbia. These glaciers provide a perfect environment for developing scientific observational skills, understanding relationships between organisms and their surroundings, reflecting on our own interactions with the mountains through art, building self-confidence in difficult terrain, and gaining life-long friendships.

Itinerary

The day-to-day activities of the expedition may change due to weather and glacier conditions. The basic itinerary is generally as follows:

Day 1: Arrive in Calgary and drive to meet the team in Rogers Pass, British Columbia! Together we will learn about traveling and camping in the mountains and stay the night at the Illecillewaet Campground.

Day 2: The first of several day hikes from the campground - these will let us get comfortable using our gear and begin the process of immersion science and developing observational skills.
Day 3: Venture to higher alpine environments on another day hike. By traveling through the mountains, girls* will gain essential technical skills and confidence in their abilities.
Day 4: Deepen our relationship with this landscape by developing our science projects. We will also meet local artists and scientists.
Day 5: Hike up to the Asulkan Hut - where we will be based out of for the next four days.
Days 6-9: Explore the glacier and surrounding mountains while learning about ice, snow and the ecosystems that depend on them. One day we will make a summit attempt on Youngs sub- peak if the weather allows. Participants will conduct their own science experiments as well as create art pieces that reflect their interactions with glaciers and perceptions of mountain environments. We overnight in the Asulkan Hut.
Day 10: Hike out from the hut back to the trailhead and travel to the Alpine Club of Canada’s Clubhouse in Canmore.
Day 11: Wrap up science experiments with a culminating presentation of the results at the ACC’s Clubhouse in Canmore.
Day 12: Final reflection activities and return home.

“Before this trip I never really had a huge interest in going into the science field when i’m older just because i always thought of it as just sitting in a lab but now after this trip i realize that science is so much more than that and i find that very cool and something i would like to learn more about.

Alyana, Girls* on Ice Canada- Illecillewaet participant”