Mount Forbes 3612m (11851ft.)
Climb Mount Forbes, the highest mountain in Banff National Park and one of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies. This is a high, remote peak in a wilderness setting. Access from Icefall Brook is 12 km closer than hiking in from the Saskatchewan Crossing. This allows an ascent of Mount Forbes in just 3 days.
Dates: May- September
Price: For 1 person $1300; For 2 people $775/person, add 5% GST
Meeting Place: Icefall Brook Parking
- Guiding
- Dinner and breakfast
- Group camping equipment; tent, stove
- Group climbing equipment; rope, ice screws
- Transportation to Golden
- Personal climbing equipment; harness, crampons, ice axe
- Personal camping equipment; sleeping bag, sleeping pad
- Cancellation or rescue insurance.
- Lunches and snacks
Requirements: Good physical fitness and basic mountaineering skills. For those with no previous mountaineering experience a training day can be arranged. Also see Mountaineering Weekend Course or Complete Mountaineering Course.
Course Agenda:
Day 1: Meet at the parking area in Icefall Brook. For directions on how to get there see Access. Go over equipment and hike up to the camp at the toe of Mons Glacier (2350m, 7700ft). There is a climber's route which is 6 km long and climbs 900m(2950ft), it normally takes 5-6 hours. The route starts at km 24 on the Mons Road, at the sharp corner where the road starts climbing(GR946460). The track climbs east up the drainage to 1430m(4700ft). From here it traverses north on the west shoulder of Mons Peak. Follow this ledge, between 5000 and 5500ft, for 1.5 km until the open meadows and moraines are reached. From here climb to the toe of the Mons Glacier and make camp.
Day 2: A big day with a predawn start. The route gradually climbs the Mons Glacier for 7km to reach the west ridge of Mount Forbes. This spectacular ridge is followed to the summit. This mountain towers over all the surrounding peaks. To the north are views of the Lyell Glacier, Columbia Icefield, and Mount Bryce. To the south the Freshfield Glacier, and Wapta Icefield; to the west the Selkirk Range; and to the east the vast wilderness of Banff National Park.
Day 3: Pack up camp and hike out. An optional descent allows a hike out through the base of the Icefall Canyon. The many glacier fed waterfalls of this canyon tumble up to 450m(1500ft) over the cliffs on both sides.