The Cirque ~
backpacking trip near Crowsnest Pass

All Courses and Multi-Day Backpacking Trips

If you cancel more than 60 days from your course or trip start date:

1. Your course or trip fees will be returned except for a $25 administrative fee, plus a processing fee of 2.9% + 30 cents per booking.
2. For Wilderness First Aid, if you asked to have the textbook mailed to you in advance and it’s already been sent out, you will get a refund minus $75 ($25 registration + $50 textbooks).

If you cancel less than 60 days from the course or trip, but more than 30 days before your course or trip start date:

1. You will get a 50% refund of your course or trip fees.
2. If you find someone to transfer your space to, we not charge you anything.

For Wilderness First Aid, if you received textbooks in advance, we will also retain the $50 textbook fee for a total of $75.

If you cancel 30 days or less before the course or trip start date:

1. You will not receive a refund.
2. If you find someone to transfer your space to, we will retain a $25 admin fee as we often have to change logistics or meal plans.

For Wilderness First Aid, if you received textbooks in advance, we will also retain the $50 textbook fee for a total of $75.

If all of this makes you nervous, we understand. Below is an option to purchase cancellation or interruption insurance through an organization who offers insurance for adventures and trips. Uplift Adventures is not affiliated in any way with this organization. You can also check your credit card company as some will have cancellation insurance.

https://www.tugo.com/en/travel-insurance/cancel-for-any-reason/

Weather Cancellation Policy

Uplift Adventures will cancel and try to reschedule or give a refund if the weather is extreme. This does not include the Wilderness First Aid course as we can adjust to be indoors if the weather is extreme. Examples of extreme weather include 120km continuous winds, below -25°C with the wind chill or -20°C without the wind chill, heavy snowfall warnings for the duration of our trip, and severe thunderstorms for the duration of the trip. Examples of extreme weather does not include subzero temperatures or rain.

Backpacking is hiking while carrying everything you need on your back--usually a 30–55 lb pack filled with your gear, food, and maybe a few comforts. By day, you’re on the trail. By night, you’re camping in a tent deep in the backcountry, far from crowds and close to nature. It’s adventure, simplicity, and fresh mountain air all rolled into one.

Each trip page outlines the distance and elevation gain, and we include an elevation profile so you can see what the terrain is doing at which part of the trip.

• Under 10 km with at least 500 m elevation gain → Easy to Moderate
  Expect a manageable challenge with time to relax at camp or along the trail.

• Over 10 km and/or more than 500 m elevation gain → Moderate to Advanced
  Expect more of a physical challenge and less downtime in camp.

We recommend getting outside before your trip, ie. day hikes or snowshoeing in the mountains are perfect prep. Try hiking with 15–25 lbs in your pack to get used to the weight. If you regularly do cardio and strength training, even better --you’ll notice the difference out there.

On trip days, most guests carry 30–55 lbs, depending on the length of the trip and how many “luxuries” you bring along.

Yes, you can put a $150 non-refundable deposit down. Message us directly to put a deposit down. Deposits are only applicable with regular pricing regardless of when the deposit was made. Final payment is due 60 days before your trip.

Once you sign up, you’ll receive a confirmation email packed with important details to help you prepare.

One Month Before Your Trip

• Trip Confirmation Deadline
  We need to confirm numbers at least one month in advance. In the past, we’ve waited on last-minute sign-ups and had to cancel trips close to departure—not fair to those already registered. This deadline ensures everyone has enough time to make alternate plans if needed.

• Menu Selection Email
  You’ll receive an email with meal options and we’ll ask for a quick response. This allows us to plan efficiently and make any necessary adjustments.

• Late Bookings (Less Than 1 Month Out)
  If you book within a month of the trip date, we may not be able to accommodate special food preferences or dietary restrictions. We’ll always do our best—but earlier is better!

One Week Before Your Trip (Thursday Evening)

• Mandatory Online Info Session
  We’ll host a virtual meeting and ask all participants to attend. During this session, we’ll:

  • Review safety procedures in detail

  • Go over gear questions

  • Confirm trip logistics

  • Answer any last-minute questions

This session is designed to help you feel confident, prepared, and excited. We’re here to support you every step of the way and ensure you have a high-quality experience from start to finish.

That’s intentional.

We use our own trip names because many of the places we visit are sensitive and not heavily protected. In our early years, we publicly advertised specific locations and saw them deteriorate quickly. The turning point? Hiking into one of those spots and finding human waste on nearly every tent site.

We care deeply about the environment and practice Leave No Trace principles. You’re also paying for our guides to take you to lesser-known, exceptionally beautiful places. To protect these areas and your experience, we keep exact locations private.

Our trips operate in Castle Provincial Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park, located between Waterton Lakes National Park and Crowsnest Pass. We also run trips north of Crowsnest Pass, often accessed via backcountry routes like the Forestry Trunk Road.

Trip names stay consistent so you won’t accidentally repeat the same adventure. If you’re unsure whether you’ve done a trip before, just message us—we’re happy to clarify. We also ask that guests don’t share specific locations for the same reasons we don’t.

No problem. We have options. After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a detailed gear list and helpful planning resources.

You provide personal gear, such as:

• Hiking boots

• Clothing

• Toiletries

• Other personal items

You can rent from us (at heavily discounted rates): You don’t need to decide about rentals right away—you can finalize gear at the pre-trip meeting the Thursday before departure.

• Tents

• Sleeping bags

• Sleeping pads

• Backpacks

You can borrow from us:

• Dishes

• Hiking poles

• Headlamps

• Waterproof stuff sacks

We provide all group and safety gear, including:

• Water purification

• Wilderness first aid kit

• Satellite communication device

• Repair kit

• Emergency tarp

• Bear spray (carried by the guide). If you own bear spray, we recommend bringing it (more is better). Please ensure:
  

  • The safety is secure

  • It’s not expired

  • It’s properly stored for transport (inside a sealed bag in your pack works well)

• Cooking pots, stoves, fuel, and cleaning supplies

To distribute weight fairly, you may be asked to carry a portion of group gear.

Pre-Trip Support
You’ll receive planning emails with videos and resources we’ve created, including:

• What to pack

• How to pack your backpack

• How to dress

• A visitor guide for planning around your trip

Post-Trip Support
Once you join us, you’re part of our story. We’ll share trip photos and can create a shared folder for everyone’s pictures. Have questions afterward? We’re happy to help.

Food
All meals are included during the trip (except breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on the final day).

Some Gear
See the gear section above.

A Professional Guide
Our guides are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and are Wilderness First Responders. They’re trained to manage risk, handle emergencies, and take exceptional care of people in remote settings.

A Duty Officer
While you’re in the backcountry, a Duty Officer remains on call in cell service. Your guide checks in at designated times. If a check-in is missed, protocols are activated.

Camping Fees (when applicable)

A Legitimate, Permitted Company
We hold the proper permits and licenses to operate in the areas we guide. Certifications are maintained, first aid kits are checked twice per year, and safety protocols are taken seriously. You paid for professionals—you get professionals.

A Company That Treats People Well
We believe in taking care of both our guides and our guests. People matter.

• Transportation to the trailhead 

• Accommodation before or after the trip

• Personal items

• Cancellation insurance

• Guide gratuity

Let’s normalize this: everyone uses the washroom. Everyone. If you didn’t, that would be weird.

We’ll go over bathroom protocols at the pre-trip meeting. We strictly follow Leave No Trace principles—no “white flags” left behind. Depending on the location, we may bury toilet paper or pack it out.

For women wanting to reduce toilet paper use, reusable antimicrobial pee cloths are an option (personal item).

The most important thing? Go when you need to. Constipation on a multi-day trip is far more uncomfortable and can turn into a medical emergency. Honestly, many backcountry “washrooms” have better views and are more pleasant than indoor ones.

Wildlife deserves respect—not fear.

We can’t guarantee we won’t see a bear, but we do a lot to reduce risk. Camps are set up intentionally to minimize human–wildlife conflict. Before heading out, we conduct a thorough wildlife safety briefing so everyone knows exactly what to do in an encounter.

Wildlife risks are real, and we treat them seriously. Preparation and awareness go a long way.

• Stay nearby the night before so everyone is rested and ready for Day 1.

• Train a little—get out hiking in the mountains (awe shucks...).

• Don’t be nervous. Everyone is there for the same reason: to enjoy nature.

• Remember, we’re in this together.

• Most importantly—have fun.

Adventure is waiting.