Icefall Traverse

This is a guided catered hut to hut traverse. You will be travelling through high alpine glacier terrain surround by some of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies, carrying only a light pack.  The scenery is dramatic and varied; everything from tumbling glaciers and vast ice fields, to wildflowers, old growth forests and clear rushing streams. This tour is designed for hikers with no previous mountaineering experience. The route traverses above the Icefall Canyon, a 600m (2000 ft) chasm ringed with waterfalls and seracs.

Dates: July- September, 4 day trip

July 21- 24, Aug 7- 11, Aug 11- 14, Aug 15- 18, Aug 18- 21,Aug 21- 24 , Aug 25- 28

Please enquire for other dates.

Price:$1000, plus HST

Meeting Place: Golden, BC

Included:

  • Guiding
  • Dinner and breakfast
  • Accommodation  in 3 different mountain huts
  • Technical equipment; ice axe, harness, crampons

Not Included:

  • Transportation
  • Trip or rescue insurance
  • Lunches and snacks

    Requirements:

    Reasonable physical fitness, no mountaineering or climbing experience required. This trip is designed for hikers wishing to experience glacier travel without getting involved in technical climbing. Ropes and harnesses will be worn while crossing the glaciers. There is one short section rock ledge that is exposed. While it is not difficult, it is not recommended for those afraid of heights. Technical knowledge will be provided by a qualified guide.  Some sections involve walking on rough rocky ground above tree line. You will be carrying a pack that will weigh as much as 10 kg (22 pounds).

    Itinerary:

    Day 1: An early morning meeting in Golden and then drive up the logging roads to the trailhead. The hike up to the lodge takes about 4 hours. This day features old growth cedar forests, wildflowers and small, water sculpted canyons. Enjoy the comfortable Icefall Lodge and be treated to the sauna and shower.

    Day 2: Travewrse to the Lyell Hut. Sitting at 2900m (9400'), this is one of the highest huts in Canada and offers superb sunset views of Mt Forbes right out the front window. This is a big day which involves crossing the massive Lyell Glacier. An early start will be required in order to cross the glacier before the snow becomes too soft. From the lodge, the trail climbs past the toe of La Clytte Glacier to the high point of Tivoli Shoulder (2650m, 8700ft). This high point gives a panorama of Mons Peak, Mount Forbes and the 5 Lyell Peaks. From here the small Tivoli Glacier is traversed, and then the much larger Lyell Glacier. This involves over 2 km of glacier travel. Although it is relatively flat, you will pass by large crevasses. The Lyell Glacier covers over 40 square km, you will be traversing this vast seas of ice. 9 km with 1000m(3300ft) elevation gain.

  • Mons HutDay 3: This day you will be able to hike up the gentle glacier to the Continental Divide. This is the border between BC and Alberta and also the border to Banff National Park. There are several easy summits over 3000m (10,000') that offer great panoramas. The route travels along the broad ridge of the Continental Divide Passing through numerous fossil beds, before descending to the Mons Hut. For the more ambitious, it is possible to ascend Christian Peak, the 5th Lyell Peak. At 3,398m (11,150'), it is one of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies

  • Icefall CanyonDay 4: From the Mons Hut, you descend to Icefall Canyon, which features dozens of glacier fed waterfall cascading over the cliffs, up to 600m (2000ft) high. If time and energy permit we can traverse the rim of the canyon to the glaciers before retracing our steps for the descent the the parking area. Some people consider this the most spectacular day of the traverse. You will want your camera for this day.

     

  • Icefall Canyon
  • Note: Longer variations of this trip can be arranged for groups.