I just got back from my summer climbing trip with Colin. This year we had planned on climbing in the Bugaboo's, but there was too much snow :-( Instead I went to Canmore to climb some of the routes I've been wanting to climb for years. Colin and Jo put me up in their house and I felt like I was at some European climbing resort; breakfast was on the table at 8:00 AM, and the guided climbing began at 10:00 AM, give or take depending on how late Colin and I stayed up.
Day 1: Colin, Jo, and I climbed the northeast face/ridge of Ha Ling (Chinaman's Peak). The route was classed as 5.7 and was very enjoyable, minus the two climbers in front of us who made us wait up to 45 minutes at each belay station. Unbelievable - even I was losing my
Day 2: Colin and I slowly made our way to the East End of Rundle to climb Eeyore's Tail. The route is classed 5.8, old school. In reality it was more like 5.10c. Things were going well considering we didn't have a guidebook with a photo of the route. Colin was doing some great route finding until the end of the sixth/beginning of the seventh pitch, he had slightly overshot the belay station - after a few tense moments and some sketchy downclimbing, we were safe again. Unfortunately our few mishaps and late start resulted in a defeat on Eeyore's Tail. Next time we climb that route we will start earlier and have less soda pops the night before.
Day 3: Colin, Jo, and I went cragging at the back of Lake Louise. Great spot bar the thousands of tourists, although it feels pretty good when you reach the top of your climb and people are applauding.
Day 4: Cragging at Grassy Lakes with Colin. We had plans to climb Escargo near Banff but I was concerned about being too tired for my 6 hour druve back to Nelson - maybe next year.
Day 1: Colin, Jo, and I climbed the northeast face/ridge of Ha Ling (Chinaman's Peak). The route was classed as 5.7 and was very enjoyable, minus the two climbers in front of us who made us wait up to 45 minutes at each belay station. Unbelievable - even I was losing my
Day 2: Colin and I slowly made our way to the East End of Rundle to climb Eeyore's Tail. The route is classed 5.8, old school. In reality it was more like 5.10c. Things were going well considering we didn't have a guidebook with a photo of the route. Colin was doing some great route finding until the end of the sixth/beginning of the seventh pitch, he had slightly overshot the belay station - after a few tense moments and some sketchy downclimbing, we were safe again. Unfortunately our few mishaps and late start resulted in a defeat on Eeyore's Tail. Next time we climb that route we will start earlier and have less soda pops the night before.
Day 3: Colin, Jo, and I went cragging at the back of Lake Louise. Great spot bar the thousands of tourists, although it feels pretty good when you reach the top of your climb and people are applauding.
Day 4: Cragging at Grassy Lakes with Colin. We had plans to climb Escargo near Banff but I was concerned about being too tired for my 6 hour druve back to Nelson - maybe next year.