Lunchlord Buttress

Lunchlord Buttress

“Any alpine route with one good pitch is destined to be a Rockies classic,” Maarten said, grinning. “And this one has at least six.” “The descent has to be quick and straight-forward to become a classic,” I replied. We had been on the move for some 16 hours, and were...
The Zone That Keeps On Giving (Choss)

The Zone That Keeps On Giving (Choss)

Although ice conditions were lean this winter in the rockies, calling it a bad season can mostly be chalked up to a lack of imagination. With many lifetimes of climbing potential across the range, we have a tendency to get focused on specific zones each season....
Naga – New Mixed at Storm Creek Headwall

Naga – New Mixed at Storm Creek Headwall

(Photo: Zac Colbran) NAGA (M8 WI5+) FA Grant Stewart, Ethan Berman. March 28,2022 Climb the first two pitches of Scar Tissue and traverse to a two-bolt belay beneath a black streak. Pitch 1: Climb ice blobs to reach bolted face climbing that continues up through roofs...
Who are the real mountain people?

Who are the real mountain people?

“An Exploratory Adventure to the Cordillera Real in Bolivia”. This title succeeded in winning Brian Houle and I funding for our expedition, but the significance of the words has changed in the last year and a half. We based our trip off a handful of photos taken...
Full Moon Corner and The Lower Flanks of Storm Mountain

Full Moon Corner and The Lower Flanks of Storm Mountain

Today out my window in downtown Canmore I watched it snow, and then rain, and then snow again, as if the seasons are colliding in the ring, throwing quick jabs back and forth, even though we all know who will inevitably be proclaimed victor in the next round. The fall...
A wee bit of bailing

A wee bit of bailing

` Since I started alpine climbing, which was not all that long ago, I’ve been relatively successful. For example, my first big expedition, which was to Bolivia, resulted in several new routes and a few other cool summits. On my second big trip we climbed the Cassin...
Running in the Shadows on the Emperor Face

Running in the Shadows on the Emperor Face

On September 29th, 2020, Uisdean Hawthorn and I hiked into Berg Lake to see if we could climb the Emperor Face of Mount Robson. Although the face was shrouded in fog all evening, we woke up early on the 30th and started moving upward under the stars. We ended up...
Furry Friends in the Bugaboos

Furry Friends in the Bugaboos

When our group of six arrived in East Creek in mid-July, we knew something wasn’t quite right. The parking lot was empty. The bivy was still full of snow. The sky was spitting rain and whipping wind. No one was around. Not even our furry friends. We worried that...
Eye of the Storm

Eye of the Storm

  Eye of the Storm (700 m, M6 WI5) – FA October 16, 2019 Maarten van Haeren and Ethan Berman Approach: Hike to Upper Twin Lake, following hiking trails from 93S or Castle Junction (both 2:30-3:00 hrs). Hike N shore of the lake and approach route (1:00-1:30...
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