Here is a short description of
a few of the climbs and mountaineering routes in the park:
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Bow Valley: Banff
Season: May - November
Access: Trans Canada Hwy south of Canmore
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate, Expert
Description: A wealth of routes are easily accessible.
Note: the cliffs are limestone with a lot of its inherent
problems.
Castle Mountain
Season:May - September
Access: Trans Canada Hwy
Contact: See Banff National Park
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate, Expert
Description: This is an easily accessible area with lots
of good climbing.
Ghost River:
Banff
Access: Hwy 940 out of Cochrane
Contact: Ghost River Recreational Area
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate, Expert
Description: This area presents a lot of possibilities
even for instruction. There are a lot of routes with
varying difficulties within reasonable access to a major
centre. Challenges abound. This is a real find without
the crowds associated with this quality.
Lake Louise:
Banff
Season: June - September
Access: Hwy 1
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate, Expert
Description: Very easy access from the Chateau Lake
Louise it's a short hike. You'll find dozens and dozens
of routes on good rock. There are several areas clustered
together.
Mountaineering
In the Lake Louise area, there
are several mountains of interest to mountaineers and
climbers. Mount Victoria, Leroy and Haddo Peak being
perhaps the best known. Each has a number of routes
ranging from technical climbs to what are essentially
extended scrambles. The ease of access and the nearby
facilities make this area very popular and you may have a
lot of company particularly at high season. Find out
about the weather before you set out. Mountains in other
areas of the park follow:
Mount Athabasca:
Lake Louise
Access: Icefields Parkway
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate, Expert
Description: On of the most popular alpine climbs in the
Rockies.
Mount Louise:
Banff
Season: May - September
Access: Trans Canada Hwy
Level of Difficulty: Expert
Description: This mountain provides technical ascents and
lots of possibilities combined with
easy access. A very popular climb, but rewarding.
Assiniboine: BC
Season: June - September
Region: British Columbia Rockies
Contact: Mount Assinboine Provincial Park
Access: Helicopter, backpacking or skiing in the winter.
Level of Difficulty: Expert
Description: A very striking mountain it's very popular
with climbers. There are a number of campgrounds and huts
which you can use as accommodations. The mountain itself
has a number of possible routes.
Note: No, it's not in Banff but it is one information we
often are asked for when we get inquiries about
mountaineering in the Rockies.
Mount Edith:
Banff
Season: May - September
Access: Just off the highway outside Banff center
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate, Expert
Description: The easy access and range of difficulties
make this a very popular climb. You can choose from a
number of routes that range from a scramble to very
technical climbs.
Mount Stanley:
Banff
Season: All year
Access: A short hike from the parkway, hwy 93
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate, Expert
Description: A very popular mixed climbing area. The mountain is more
an area for ice climbers and the mountain has several interesting couloirs.
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