wayne Posted December 13, 2012 Posted December 13, 2012 Trip: Canadian Rockies 12-12 - Date: 12/5/2012 Trip Report: Even though all venues are under an early season ennui, Canada remains a reliable place if you have to go ice climbing. We had hoped to go to the Hyalite Icefest, but the team agreed we had better chances at a lot of ice going to the colder regions. After all, it is still early season in the first week in December. Things are in good, yet still building there, and the big routes may still drip. Day 1, I have taken to visiting the closest crag first, in order to climb as soon as you can finish the drive. Haffner Creek is great for that. Tough short routes immediatly reward the long drive. Satisfy the whole clan, including Christina on her maiden ice trip! Huge thanks to http://www.promountainsports.com/ for having all the latest gadgets for this crazy fun sport. Day 2, warm up day on Moonlight and Snowline again with Lane, Christina. D3, following the great advice from Steve we head into the Ghost. Enjoyed Dead Bird , Yellow bird, and Good, Bad , Ugly rounded out a fun outing. Hope to see the rest of this cool valley someday. D4 and it is time to try something big with the master himself, Steve. He had his eye on a set of routes ending high on Mt. Wilson. Oh, Le Tabernac is a 2 pitch 5 that gains access to an even bigger cliff that offers much greater prizes. The most obvious hard route was Whoa Whoa Capitane . Steve had already done the crazy one on the far right: Les Miserables. He saw fit to do the 1st lead on OLTab. It ended up being so very wet for him, enduring a constant shower for half of the pitch. With guilt I led the dry second pitch, and we started the big wallow up to the upper bowl. What an amazing set of climbs are up there!!! The ultimate Ice Crag, offering a half dozen multi-pitch stunners. We were to be humbled by more water pouring down the early season ice. Next time. D5 Cold temps can be dealt with unless accompanied by high winds. That was the scenario that led us to the Grotto Canyon, enjoying its shelter and very fun routes. Enjoy the photos, and please be a part of the online content like you have read here, post your report soon.thanks. More here on my blog report. Quote
bonathanjarrett Posted December 13, 2012 Posted December 13, 2012 Where did you guys base out of? Quote
wayne Posted December 13, 2012 Author Posted December 13, 2012 If your line up something ahead online, Canmore is pretty affordable. Quote
linkalpa Posted December 16, 2012 Posted December 16, 2012 Just a couple more weeks.... Great shots Wayne, those Mt. Wilson lines are no joke. Thanks for the stoke! Quote
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