2024 Ascend Program (Website)

Ascend Program

Developing Grit-Proven, Resilient Leaders.

Test your leadership & resilience in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN | CLOSES 31 MAR 24

Limited Spots | Max. 10 Participants

TSL Ascend Program

Taking leaders to new heights.

PHASE 1

Attend the Virtual

Resilience Development

Workshop

Meet your team and get equipped with tools, resources, and steps needed complete workup training, the program and austere phase.

young people putting their hands together. concept teamwork and unity.

PHASE 2

Develop your

Leadership Skills with

Asynchronous Learning

Learn a framework of resilience and leadership skills you can apply to your life, team and work.

PHASE 3

Complete the Austere Phase in the Canadian Rockies

July 25 - 31, 2024

Test your new resilience and leadership skills in the Rocky Mountains by summiting a 9,000 ft mountain.

COMPLETE

Earn a TSL Ascend Leader Resilience Development Certificate

After completing all 3 phases you will earn a certificate of completion, and join the ascend leader community.

PHASE 1:

TSL Resilience Development Workshop

LIVE | VIRTUAL | 2 HOURS | APRIL 2, 2024

Techniques & Strategies to enable physical, mental, emotional and purpose resilience development
Tools to enable mental resilience
Tools to enable emotional intelligence & resilience
Overview of the Intentional Change Theory Framework to drive personal change objectives
Workup strategies to enable readiness for the 1-week austere phase in July

PHASE 2:

Asynchronous Learning

SELF-PACED | ONLINE MODULES

Resilience Development Fundamentals
Resonant Leadership
Adaptive Leadership
Intentional Change Theory
Cynefin Framework

Complete 4 months of workup training to summit on Phase 3

PHASE 3: Austere Phase

Canadian Rocky Mountains

IN-PERSON | 7-DAYS | JULY 25-31, 2024

The Strong Link (TSL) Ascend Program, in partnership with Alpine Air Adventures, is back for the second year.

Held in the pristine Canadian Rocky Mountains, The Strong Link Austere Phase challenges leaders to strengthen mental, emotional, and physical resilience through guided training, skills development, and the chance to summit a 9,000 ft mountain. We welcome 2 participant groups.

Group 1 is open for new participants (no experience required). You will complete Alpine Skill Training, where we introduce you to backcountry travel, rock, ice & glacier terrain movement, foundational scrambling and crevasse rescue skills. Finally, as a culmination of your resilience development, led by professional Canadian mountain guides, you will attempt to summit Youngs Peak, a 9,236ft glaciated mountain summit within the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia.

Group 2 is for returning participants who have completed the Alpine Skills Training Week. You will attempt a multi-day mountain traverse along Rogers Pass, within the Selkirk Mountains, overnighting on the Asulkan Glacier at the Saphire Col shelter. The traverse will see participants summit three mountain peaks - Castor Peak (9468ft), Pollux Peak (9110ft), and Leda Peak (8861ft).

Both groups will operate from the Asulkan Mountain Cabin, reachable after a 5-hour elevated traverse through the picturesque Asulkan Valley, based on the Rogers Pass ridgeline.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Challenge and develop personal resilience, culminating with a 9,000 ft mountain summit attempt.
Stay at the Luxury Kananaskis Mountain Resort.
Take in sights such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Enjoy lunch at the iconic Lake Louise Fairmont Chateau.
Immerse yourself within the picturesque Selkirk Mountains, Operating out of the remote Asulkan Mountain Cabin.
Conclude your trip with complimentary access to the Kananaskis Nordic Spa.
Enjoy the TSL Austere Phase as an All-Inclusive, worry-free event.

alpine

skills

TRAINING

GROUP 1: OVERVIEW

A training program to enable a participant with little to no outdoor or mountaineering experience. Operating out of the Asulkan Mountain Cabin, led by Professional Certified Canadian Mountain Guides - you will complete 3-days of training.

This will include the use of alpine equipment such as crampons, ice axes, rock and ice anchors, developing an awareness of hazards and safety protocols, backcountry operations, traversing over rock, ice & glacier terrain and crevasse rescue skills.

The Alpine Skills training program will culminate with a summit attempt at Youngs Peak among the Selkirk Mountains.

SUMMIT ATTEMPT - YOUNGs PEAK

Rogers Pass, BC

On our 4th day of the austere phase, you will start from the Asulkan Cabin before sunrise, traversing over the Asulkan Glacier and enjoying the achingly beautiful views of the Asulkan Valley. In teams of 3, led by your Guide, you will make your mid-day summit attempt off Youngs Peak, rewarded by the 360-degree summit view of the Selkirk Mountains.

Experience The Rockies

"The Strong Link Ascend Program was a transformative experience. I was challenged physically and mentally and pushed to my limits. The program was very well organized, and the guiding team was exceptionally experienced and professional. After conquering Mount Athabasca, I'm ready to take on the next challenge with this group!"

Rob Francis, CEO, FOCI

Jupiter Traverse

Group 2: Overview

Group 2, having completed the Alpine Skills Training the year prior, will tackle the Jupiter Traverse! Over 3 days, starting from the Asulkan Cabin, climbers will conduct the Jupiter Traverse crossing the three summits of Mt Jupiter: Castor Peak (9468ft), Pollux Peak (9110ft), and Leda Peak (8861ft). The group will also overnight at Sapphire Col Shelter (8497 ft), before attempting the alpine traverse over the three peaks and down the Thorington Route, a steep, glaciated, 3280 ft descent to the valley bottom.

The Jupiter Traverse is a rewarding and challenging journey across the Asulkan Basin; enhancing your foundational alpine skills, you will elevate your mountaineering skill set to include this multi-day, multi-peak, mountain biv & shelter traverse. This advanced route will challenge and reward you!

tRIP

ITINERARY

Day 1 | 25 July | Thursday

Arrival at Calgary International Airport (YYC) - Shuttle to Kananaskis Resort.
Austere Phase Preperation & Equipment Issue.

AUSTERE PHASE

Day 2 | 26 July | Friday

Move to Glacier National Park
Sightseeing Stops to include: Moraine Lake & Lake Louise.
Lunch at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Hike into Asulkan Hut

Day 3-5 | 27- 29 July | Saturday - Monday

Group 1 - Alpine Skills Training, Operating out of the Asulkan Cabin throughout.
Group 2 - Jupiter Traverse will start and end at the Asulkan Cabin, overnighting midway on a mountain bivy site and the Saphire Col Hut.

SUMMIT DAY | 29 July - Monday

Both groups will conduct their summit attempts on the 29th of July, and re-group at the Asulkan Cabin.

Day 6 | 30 July | Tuesday

Hike out and depart Glacier National Park by shuttle back to the Kananaskis Resort.
Enjoy complimentary access to the on-site Nordic Spa & a Celebratory Dinner at the Cedar Room restaurant.

Day 7 | 31 July | Wednesday

Shuttle lift to Calgary International Airport (YYC) for departures.

Starry Night at the Cozy Asulkan Cabin in Roger's Pass

PHASE 3: Austere Phase

Austere Skills Learned

IN-PERSON | 7-DAYS | JULY 25-31, 2024

Personal and group safety considerations for operations within mountain/alpine environments.
Gain an understanding of weather considerations, route planning, and traversing over rock & ice.
How to pack for a backcountry traverse and summit attempt.
Learn basic climbing knots, including the Figure-8, bowline, overhand knot, and others.
How to pack and utilize alpine technical gear.
Team coordination techniques for operations in the mountains.
Glacier travel and crevasse rescue techniques.
Scrambling and approach terrain traversing techniques.
Being able to descend using a rappelling/abseiling technique.
How to set rock and ice anchors.
Alpine and emotional control breathing techniques.
Testing your own resilience, self-leadership and discipline culminating with your summit attempt.

EQUIPMENT

Technical Equipment is provided for all participants - mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axes, harnesses, helmets, climbing accessories, i.e. carabiners, etc.

You will need environmental clothing, camping and hiking gear. Luggage and Equipment not needed for the austere phase of the event will be stored at the Kananaskis Resort and accessible post the austere phase.

Earn a TSL Ascend Leader Resilience Development Certificate

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Whether you’re new or an avid outdoor enthusiast - we‘re bringing like-minded leaders together. Develop your skills, make new memories, and push your limits!

Ascend Program

Developing Grit-Proven, Resilient Leaders.

WHAT’s INCLUDED

The TSL Ascend Program Austere Phase is an All-Inclusive event. All transportation during the trip, accommodations, meals, permits, technical equipment and fees are covered within the event cost.

Participants will be required to bring their own environmental clothing, camping and general hiking gear.

PROGRAM COST

$5,450 CAD + HST | $4,034 USD + 13% VAT