Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Ice Climbing in the Canadian Rockies

A few weeks ago I was blessed enough to climb with AAI guide Kurt Hicks, who is an AMGA certified Rock Guide and an Alpine Guide Aspirant.  We headed up to the Canadian Rockies so that Kurt could take his 2-day Ice Instructor Assessment, a new portion of the Alpine Guide certification.  Kurt and I spent a few days climbing before his assessment so that he would style the evaluation, and style it he did!  Here are some photos from the stellar ice climbing that is to be had in the Canadian Rockies!
 
Approach notes to the weeping wall: harness and crampons on at the car, walk across the road.  Ridiculous!



Kurt leading up the first pitch.

The author following on pitch 1.
The Author traversing out to the steep stuff.
Kurt heading up pitch 1 of Professor Falls.
The author, happily following a stellar pitch.
The author, doing his share of the leading on the climb.
Kurt on assessment day, looking up the steep WI4+ pitch on Louise Falls.
Kurt styling it through the crux, making it look easy.
  Hopefully some of these photos inspire you to get out this season or next, and climb some ice!  We climb in many world class locations, including Ouray, CO and Lee Vining, CA.  Come join us!

--Andrew Yasso
Program Coordinator

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Andrew and Kurt,

Glad you had a good time up in the Rockies. Andrew, here's to many more prolific trips up there. CDN Rockies are where it's at!

Chad

Anonymous said...

Dude disappointed you were in the hood we could have shot a Mike Barter video
The Mike

American Alpine Institute said...

Thanks guys! We'll have to make another trip up there next season.

Mike, I would be stoked to make a video for/with you. I like how you are able to call it a "Mike Barter" video.

Cheers!

-Andrew