The Canadian Rockies have some of the most classic big ice faces in North America. Moving through big terrain far above the valley below as the sun rises is one of the best ways to experience the mountains. The climbs can lead to unforgettable experiences and can create lifelong partnerships. Alpine ice faces are complex and require patience and time to understand. Despite being formed of glacier ice, no two climbs are the same. Understanding how to climb them safely will increase your odds of accomplishing your goals and getting home safely. The following are some helpful reminders and tips, but nothing replaces experience and proper training. Seek the mentorship of a veteran alpine climber or hire a guide to increase your knowledge of challenging mountain lines.
Aberdeen Glacier on Mount Aberdeen: Found near Lake Louise, this popular glacier ice climb starts with a few pitches of AI2. The angle then relaxes until the upper “headwall” which is accessed by crossing a bergschrund. After the face, you can climb Haddo Peak before doubling back to summit up the east ridge of Aberdeen. The upper ridge includes some rock climbing. You need a rack of screws and a light rock rack. The descent heads down a slope that you can bum-slide until mid-summer.
North Face of Mount Athabasca: This route can be clearly seen from the Columbia Icefield Centre on the Icefields Parkway. It’s a popular and enjoyable climb where good glacier-crossing skills are important. After the approach, cross the bergschrund where convenient, and climb the face in five pitches of 45-degree ice, or sometimes snow, up to AI3. After the ice, you climb a broken corner feature through the rock. After a short crux with fixed pitons, you climb two more pitches up an ice gully to the summit. To descend, follow the North Glacier route back to the road.
North Face of Stanley Peak: This is another one of the most famous ice faces in the Rockies. Located in Kootenay National Park, the approach follows the popular Stanley Glacier hiking trail. The routes on the north face are rather moderate and the approach is straight-forward, which makes this one of the most popular snow and ice route walls in the Rockies. There are several climbs up the north face, but the most climbed is the Kahl Route or North Face West End at AI3. After your reach the glacier, cross below the highest part of the wall and start up. Stay left of the rock outcrops near on route to the summit. Descend the south face scramble.
Kain Face of Mount Robson: This was the original route up the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, first climbed in 1913. This is the safest route to the summit and is used as the descent after reaching the top. It’s remote and difficult to reach, often requiring multiple days. The weather can be iffy, and the snow conditions might stop you from starting up, but if you get a good window then you’ll be rewarded with one of the best big ice faces in western Canada. After the bergschrund, climb the ice fall to the ridge that leads to the summit. This can be a very windy and cold climb, but well worth it.
The alpine environment changes every day, hour, and minute. Each mountain face reacts to direct sunlight and temperatures differently depending on its aspect. If it’s cold overnight, then the snow will be hard and easy to walk on in the morning. As the day warms then rockfalls and avalanches will increase, same goes for snow and wind. A climb on a southwest face might be safe at 6 a.m., but by 2 p.m., it will be very unsafe due to rock, ice and snow falling. Knowing the temperatures, the night before you climb, how much cloud cover there will be and when the face comes into sunlight is all vital information. Understanding the weather, aspect of your climb and descend, and conditions all help build your mountain model. Always be adjusting your mountain model when to make the decisions that will keep you safe.
They call it an alpine start for a reason. Alpine climbing is all about leaving early for the climb, which can lead to failing early to avoid any harsh conditions. It’s safer to be off the mountain if things don’t feel right than high on a face when the lightning storm starts. Have a plan and stick to it. If you’re falling behind or moving slow, then bail. You want to start and be off the face, generally, before the sun hits it.
The conditions and route will determine your boot selection. While lightweight approach hybrid style boots are good for some alpine climbs, ice faces such as the North Face of Athabasca require a stiffer option that can handle a lever/bail crampon. You don’t want the heaviest duty boot, instead a lighter option that breathes well. In the Canadian Rockies, it’s best to wear light technical ice climbing boots that have a front and rear welt for lever/bail crampons.
Crampons are constructed with either aluminum or steel, have vertical or horizontal front points, are the front point mono or dual, and are they strap-on or lever/bail. Aluminum crampons that strap onto approach shoes are ideal for approaches over low-angled snow fields or for alpine routes with steep snow descents. For long ice faces, like the North Face of Stanley, the best option is steel. Aluminum doesn’t perform well on hard ice. Horizontal front points are good for snow climbing and glaciers, but steep ice faces are best climbed with vertical front points and mixed climbing. Dual points are good for steep ice, but mono points are good for mixed climbing and delicate ice. Some crampon constructions allow snow to accumulate, but you want one that doesn’t. Some models have anti-ball plates meant to keep snow out.
When walking in crampons, keep your feet a little wider than shoulder width apart. Walk as though you’ve been riding a horse. This will help you avoid tripping on your other leg. On gradual terrain, engage both rows of points on the snow or ice you’re walking on. When traversing angled slopes, like you would on the Aberdeen Glacier, don’t only use one side of the crampon like you would with a ski. This is dangerous with crampons because the spikes can shear out. Stamp down and roll your ankle to engage all the bottom spikes. This ankle rolling is called the French technique. Once the terrain steepens, then you have to front-point which can be very tiring on your calves, so be sure to drop your heels to minimize muscle fatigue and to avoid calf cramps.
Alpine ice faces will require a lot of movement over many hours. You’re going to get tired and your legs and feet might start to ache. Alpine climbing is not as safe as multi-pitch rock climbing or waterfall ice climbing. Expect long runouts where falling would result in serious injury or death. Having solid feet will keep you on the climb. Kick or place each foot carefully and don’t move off it until you’re confident it’s solid.
The ice axe can be one of the most versatile tools in your kit. It can be used for ascending and descending. The steep mountain ice faces in the Canadian Rockies require two technical ice climbing tools. Lower-angled snow faces require one mountaineering ice axe, which can be used for walking and mellow slopes. Your ability, the slope angle, the firmness of the snow and the potential for a fall determine what different hand positions you’ll use and when.
Alpine terrain is complicated, even 100-year-old classics like the Kain Face present complex cruxes. Unlike the crag where the routes are clean, chalk marks the way and beefy chains let you rappel with ease, the alpine often feels untouched. You’ll be clipping rusty pitons, backing up old, fixed gear and using often-manky rappel anchors to get down. You need to know how to equalize a three- to five-point anchor made of marginal placements. You need to know when to extend protection and how to protect a second on a traverse. Alpine climbs require a lot of different systems and knowing how to apply each is essential. The approach to ice faces often includes glacier travel. Using a t-slot to protect crevasse crossings is as important as staying roped-up. Knowing how to simul-climb on low-angle terrain and pitch-out steep ice using ice screw anchors is key. If there’s rock above the glacier, treat it like any other rock climb and have bomber anchors.
Being keen is what got you to the base of an alpine route but being smart will up the chance you’ll climb another day. Weather, routes conditions and psych are three of the biggest factors that stop your climb before it starts. More than one top alpinist has approached for hours only to turn around and walk back to the car for one reason or another. Go with your gut feeling and listen to your partner.
Climbing alpine ice routes is as much about partnership as it is about your sending skills. You need to climb with someone you trust, who has the same goal, who will share leads and who won’t complain when you run out of food. Like any healthy relationship, communication is the most important part. Don’t jump on a big route with a new partner, instead start small with a few days at the crag or a low-commitment snow route. Be sure of their ice climbing skills and crevasse travel know-how. Don’t be a guide to a partner, you both need to be on the same page.
Alpine climbing is all about learning. After each climb, review what went right and what went wrong. If you screwed up then practice so you don’t again. Always be tweaking your systems with your partner to create the most efficient team possible.
You’ll need four to five layers depending on the conditions. For your base have a short-sleeve and then a thin long sleeve, like The North Face Summit DotKnit Crew. Then wear a breathable lightweight fleece, like The North Face Summit L2 Futurefleece Full Zip Hoodie. On top of that goes the softshell jacket to break the wind, such as The North Face Men’s Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie. On top of that goes a puffy jacket, a synthetic insulated layer that’s light and packable, like The North Face Summit Advanced Mountain Kit L3 Pullover Hoodie.
Depending on conditions, you might want to bring a down jacket, like The North Face Summit Down Hoodie. Another layer option to bring is a wind jacket, like The North Face Men’s Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie. They’re great for belays. Or swap it out for something waterproof, like The North Face Summit L5 Futurelight Jacket, depending on the forecast. Be sure that all of you jackets have hoods, which is critical to keep your head warm. A base-layer pant, like The North Face Men’s Summit DotKnit Tight, will keep you warm on big ice faces. On top, wear a soft- or hard-shell layer, like the durable The North Face Men’s Summit L1 VRT Synthetic Climb Pant.
Miscellaneous layers include a warm hat, gloves (The North Face Summit Advanced Mountain Kit Insulated Softshell Glove), a buff to protect your neck and face. All of this makes up your system which works in layers. You can put layers on or take them off depending on the activity. You want layers that dry well, works together and packs up small. Everyone’s systems will vary.
Tip: For long hikes out, pack flip-flops or light sneakers in the bottom of your pack to avoid wearing heavy boots in hot weather.
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