Hut to hut traverse

The Icefall Traverse is a fully catered and guided hut to hut traverse. You can travel through high glacier terrain past some of the highest peaks in the range carrying only a light pack. This may sound like the Haute Route or other tours in the Alps. The only difference is that you won’t see anybody else around, just the group that you flew in with. This traverse incorporates the two newest huts in Canada. The Lyell Hut (completed in 2009), and the Mons Hut (completed 2010). It also stops at the more comfortable Icefall Lodge for a couple of nights before descending the Rostrum Valley to Icefall Brook.

Mt ForbesThe traverse starts by flying into the Mons Hut. The next 2 days will be spent exploring the area around the Mons Hut. Possible objectives include Mons Peak, Cambrai or the North Glacier on Mount Forbes. At 3612 m, Mt Forbes is the highest peak in Banff National Park. The run on the North Glacier takes you right up to the imposing north face.

 

 

Mt Forbes After 2 nights at the Mons Hut we traverse to the Lyell Hut on day 3 getting a glimpse into the Icefall Canyon on the way and possibly ascending Christian Peak, Lyell 5, in the evening twilight. The next day we will cross the Divide over into Alberta and ski Rudolf, Edward and Ernest (Lyell1, 2 and 3). Day 5 is a traverse over to Icefall Lodge with a net elevation loss of 3000 feet. The standard route is over Crampon Col but if conditions are good and the group is up for it, there is the possibility of skiing one of the long runs into Lyell Creek. The “Wild West” is over 2300m (7600') vertical drop.

At the lodge you are treated to sauna, shower, and many other comforts. The next 3 nights are spent here. The last day is a climb up over Ice Pass and then a long run down the Rostrum Valley to Icefall Brook.

 

 

 

Dates: March 24- 31, April 14- 21, April 21- 28, 2012

Price: $2000 + HST

Mt Ernest

Includes:

  • ACMG certified guide
  • Accommodation in the mountain huts
  • All Meals
  • Helicopter transportation in and out.

  • This is only the second year that this traverse is offered and there are many unskied lines waiting to be explored.

    Condensed versions of the trip:
    4 days, 3 nights: 1450 + hst April 14-17, 2012
    5 days, 4 nights: 1575 + hst, April 5-9, 2012

    Enquire for more details.It may be possible to arrange other dates.