How to Climb the Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies stretch from the plains of Alberta west into British Columbia, and from the US border north to the Liard River in northern BC. This mountain range features some of the most challenging ice, rock and alpine climbing in the world. You will need technical climbing training and a high level of physical fitness to tackle this rugged and steep terrain. Like many other climbers, you can book qualified guides through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides at www.acmg.ca. You can also sign up for a climbing partner at a local Mountain Equipment Co-op.

Things You'll Need

  • Climbing training
  • Qualified mountain guide
  • Each type of climbing requires specialized equipment such as:
  • Ropes
  • Harnesses
  • Belay devices to control rope movement
  • Helmets
  • Carabiners
  • Shoes
  • Crampons (ice climbing)
  • Ice axe (ice climbing)
  • Quickdraws to reduce rope drag
  • Special climbing clothing
  • Nuts and hexes (rock climbing)
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Instructions

  1. Climbing Types

    • 1
      Mountaineering

      Prepare to climb a mountain by taking specialized training. This type of climbing, known as mountaineering, requires additional skills such as learning the etiquette and rules of the climbing group to ensure that everyone is safe.

    • 2

      Challenge yourself by climbing up frozen waterfalls and ice falls. This requires special equipment such as ice axes and crampons, a spiked metal device that goes over your boot to help grip the ice. Climbing areas have phone numbers that you can call to check on current ice conditions.

    • 3
      rock climbing

      Enjoy the freedom that comes from using your hands and feet to crawl up a rock wall. Rock climbers are free to choose their route this way. This style is different from others because the climber depends on tools and finding appropriate areas to use them on the mountain wall.

    • 4

      Find all kinds of climbing adventures in the popular areas of Alberta, such as Jasper National Park, Banff National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, and Kananaskis Country. The climbing season may start as early as May on lower elevations along the park's east side.

    • 5

      Visit some of the many famous and popular climbing sites in British Columbia: the Stawamus Chief, the second largest granite monolith in the world; the Skaha Bluffs, the glaciated peaks of Yoho National Park; and the southwest corner of the Coast Mountains near Vancouver. Guided tours are available in many popular climbing areas.