Page Type:
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Route |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
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50.89440°N / 115.1875°W |
Route Type:
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Ice Climbing |
Season:
|
Winter |
|
Time Required:
|
Most of a day |
|
Difficulty:
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60m WI 4 |
|
Number of Pitches:
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2 |
|
Grade:
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IV |
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Overview
Kidd Falls is a climb in a spectacular location below the Mt Kidd bowl in Kananaskis. It is threatened by a big avalanche bowl and there have been numerous avalanche incidents on it, so check the conditions and use common sense.
The climb and Mt Kidd.The climb is visible from the highway, and is accessed from the Galatea parking lot. The location is beautiful and the views from it amazing. That, and the fact that it is in the sun, make it an appealing climb.
Getting There
Get to Highway 40 (Kananskis) and drive south from the Trans-Canada. Stop at the "Galatea" pull-out, which is 21.5 km past the Barrier Lake visitor centre. This is a big parking lot at a popular trailhead in the summer, but in the winter it is gated, and only the entrance plowed, with room for about 5-6 cars.From the parking lot, follow the hiking trail down a hill, and past big suspension bridge. After another small bridge is passed (5-10 minutes), you will reach a sign, and a junction - take a right (now you'll be walking parallel to the highway). After about 700-1000m, you'll reach an opening on your left - head up finding the easiest way, and after a while aim to the right toward the base of the route, which will be in view. About 1-2 hours depending on snow conditions.
Hiking up through avalanche debrisRoute Description
The route looks big from the highway, but in fact is only 60 meters. Due to the lack of good ice at the top for an anchor, it is preferrable to climb the route in 2 pitches (otherwise about 20 meters of simul-climbing will be needed to reach a belay from a slung boulder, not recommended). There is also a two-bolt belay on the left below the top that can be utilized depending on how the ice has formed and whether you want to top out.
Climbing the first pitchTo descend, rappel the route.