Whether you are an expert climber or just new to outdoor rock climbing, the routes around Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise will no doubt be a perfect match for your objectives. Canmore, Alberta, has long been a Mecca for rock climbers from around the world with numerous sport, gear, multi-pitch and alpine routes - for a climber, this area offers everything you could possibly want. Apart from the best ice-climbing in the world, Alberta is also famous for its concentration of sport routes - especially the limestone and quartzite routes found in the river canyons surrounding Canmore.
Centered around the town of Canmore, the Bow Valley has a sport crag in every direction, and long multi-pitch trad routes on most of the big walls that tower over the valley. The rock season is relatively short (May to September in most years) but fortunately the Bow Valley also has world-class ice climbing in the winter.
November 4, 2023 – Val Verzasca, Switzerland – The Verzasca Dam, an engineering marvel nestled in the picturesque Val Verzasca of Switzerland that stands 220 meters tall, became the stage for the climbing elite. Red Bull Dual Ascent, now in its
second edition, attracted 24 of the world's best…
Located in Canmore, at the gates of Banff National Park, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures has been operating for over 30 years and is one of Canada's premier providers of mountaineering, ice and rock climbing, backcountry skiing, hiking and trekking experiences in the Canadian Rockies. Climbers visiting the area will want to experience one of the famous climbs Yamnuska guides. You’ll certainly be hooked by some of the most picturesque and towering multi-pitch routes that can be found here.
For those seeking more of an alpine climb, Banff National Park, Canada's oldest national park, will satisfy all your hardcore needs; if you want to. There are countless summits to attempt, some are easy and some absolute horror. Banff National Park is Canada's first and most famous National Park. It's a great place not only because there are no meaningless regulations or bureaucracy of the park, but mainly for its laid-back though active atmosphere - you will meet climbers from all around the world here as well as hippies. And the Canadian Alpine Club is based here, which certainly helps.
The best quality rock can be found in the quartzite at the Back of the Lake in Lake Louise. It is also one of the most beautiful and traveled to rock climbing areas in the world. Shaded in purple and orange this spectacular rock crag is easily accessible, and all will find something to enjoy here, beginners and experts alike. Not far away, big, aesthetic routes can be found in places like Castle Mountain, Mt. Louis and the Tower of Babel.
If you'd like to climb on one of the Bow Valley's signature routes and need guiding, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures might be a good start in your Canadian Rockies adventure. Check their official website for more.
Adam Ondra dominated the bouldering scene again and won a gold medal in the second World Cup competition in Salt Lake City. He took second place in the qualification and proceeded to the finals from the same position. This time, he was surprised by the victory and admits that a little luck was…
Adam Ondra completed today's finals in Meiringen, Switzerland, and won a gold medal in the first competition of this year's World Cup. He kept first place in bouldering continuously from the qualification until the very exciting finals. He was satisfied with his excellent form and appreciated a…
