ITINERARY

ARRIVAL & PRE-ASCENT

7 days in advance of your ascent, our Program Managers will touch base to provide you with an update on expected route conditions, avalanche hazards (if applicable), and expected weather for your ascent day. Your Guide(s) will be in touch 24-48hrs in advance of departure at a minimum to further discuss final logistics and your expectations for your trip with us.

Your Ascent Day 

On our first day, you will Meet Your Guide Here at the Rockbound Lake Trailhead at ~ 0445hrs where we'll start with a brief round of introductions and a pre-departure briefing which will include the following: 

• Review of any expected changes to weather or climbing conditions
• Expected Hazards, risk management plan, and associated mitigations for the duration of the trip
• Distribution and repacking of meal program and trip food for participants
• Distribution of any required technical equipment you require
• Presentation of physical Waiver of Liability Document & Signing

The day begins by approaching as for Rockbound Lake. This trail is followed for approximately 45min to a natural spring flowing across our approach trail with the towers now almost directly visible overhead. Leaving the Rockbound Lake trail, we trend south along the climbers approach to arrive at the lower tier of the peak. This marks the beginning of the technical climbing.

Much of the first tier below the Goad Plateau is easily passed while short roping (4th class). A short walk over the goat plateau brings us to the base of the main tower. From here a number of options to start are possible. Our route will depend on our timing and progress and position in relation to other climbing teams.

The main tower can take 3-4 hours return from the Goat Plateau, consistently transitioning between 4th class and low end 5th class terrain (5.3). The summit is reached having ascended a little more than 1300m from the valley floor below.

Views to the west are breathtaking with Mount Temple and most of the Ten Peaks in full view. The Bow Valley unfolds to the east with Banff and Mount Rundle in the distance.

Reversing the route with a series of rappels, downclimbing and short roping, our teams will commonly be arriving back at the trailhead between 1500-1600hrs, just in time for the dinner hour.

LOGISTICS

Guide : Guest Ratios

Given the technical nature of the ascent of Castle Mountain via The Eisenhower Tower, this program is offered at a maximum Guide to Guest ratio of 1:2. Private ascents at 1:1 ratios are certainly welcome.
 

Travel to Rockbound Lake Trailhead

Our suggestions for your most efficient way to access the program venue from a variety of locations and international ports of entry:

• Calgary (YYC) to the Rockbound Lake:

  • Those Guests traveling from or arriving by air at Calgary International Airport: Your most efficient route to join us will be through our base in Canmore, and onward to the Rockbound Lake trailhead. A rental car or personal transportation will be required. 
    Find a travel plan here.

• Edmonton (YEG) to Rockbound Lake: 

  • Those Guests travelling from or arriving by air at Edmonton International Airport: Typically this will require travel via Calgary, onward to Canmore, prior to arrival at the Rockbound Lake Trailhead. A rental car or personal transportation will be required.
    Find a travel plan here.

• Travelling from British Columbia: 

  • For our Guests travelling and arriving from locations in British Columbia: Please use the following map link to aid in your planning and arrival at The Columbia Icefields. 
    The Rockbound Lake Trailhead Location
     

Early ARRIVALS

ACCOMMODATION & TRIP PREP

For those looking to arrive early ahead of your program, there are a variety of useful pre-trip amenities and comfortable accommodation options around our base in Canmore, Alberta, the townsite of Banff, a further 20-minute drive inside the East Gates of Banff National Park, and Lake Louise. The following are our suggestions for accommodation as well as gear and equipment retailers to help you prepare post-arrival:

• ACCOMMODATION:
   

  • CANMORE 
    ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA
    THE PAINTBOX LODGE

  • BANFF
    BUFFALOBERRY LODGE

  • LAKE LOUISE
    CANADIAN ALPINE CENTRE
    THE POST HOTEL
     

• GEAR PURCHASES PRE-TRIP:

  For those looking to purchase gear and equipment prior to your course, we would suggest the following local Bow Valley retailers:

  • Vertical Addiction
    • Located in Canmore, Vertical Addiction offers a complete selection of technical climbing, mountaineering and ski equipment along with a broad selection of technical clothing. 
       
  • SkiUphill
    • Located in Canmore, SkiUphill is a collective of experience driven individuals each with their own history, knowledge and stories of getting out there and getting after it. They offer expertise in backcountry skiing, trail running, climbing and any combination of those activities all while offering the best selection of curated equipment. 
       
  • Monods Sports
    • Located in Banff, Monods is one of the longest operating outdoor equipment and clothing retailers in the Bow Valley. Monods has a large selection of technical clothing and equipment offerings.
       
  • Ortovox
    • Our Partners at Ortovox are known for their high-quality technical outerwear and are a supporting partner of C9G and our ski guiding programs.
       
  • Black Diamond Equipment
    • Black Diamond Equipment has been providing skiers and alpinists with technical equipment since 1989, and is a supporting partner of C9G and our guided ski programs.

MOUNTAIN MEAL PROGRAMS

MEAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ADD ON

Meal Programs are available as an additional add-on to your program at time of booking. Guests are welcome to provide their own meal programs for the duration of the trip if desired.

Required Equipment & Personal Items

• Backpacks - Small Day Pack ~ 35L
• One of the following: 
  • Mountaineering Boots
  • Lightweight Alpine Rock Boots
  • Hiking Boots
• Approach Shoes
• Rock Shoes
• Harness (optional)
• Helmet (optional)
• Sunglasses (We suggest Julbo Sun Glasses)
• 50+ SPF Sunscreen
• Lip Balm with SPF
• Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
• Water Bottle - 2 X Collapsable Nalgene Style Water Bottle
• Blister Kit
• Camera
• Trekking Pole

essential clothing

• Base Layers - Tops and Bottoms (Wool or Synthetic Only)
• Mid Layers - Tops and Bottoms (200 Weight Wool or Synthetic is Ideal)
• Socks - Wool Blend is best, no cotton
• Light Collared Synthetic Shirt (optional, nice for the really hot sunny days)
• Softshell Jacket and Pants
• Gore-Tex Jacket and Pants
• Sun Hat
• Buff Style Neck Tube or Similar
• Insulated Hat
• Gloves - Heavyweight and Lightweight Options
• Down or Synthetic Insulated Jacket

TRIP CANCELLATION & INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

The best method to protect your investment with us should unforeseen arise, requiring you cancel your booking, is to purchase a Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Policy. 

Lifestyle Insurance has covered many of Cloud Nine Guests on trips all over the world, and we have first-hand experience seeing these policies activated by our Guests. 

Safeguard your trip costs and investment with us. Request a Quote from Lifestyle Financial.

Is this coverage required?

• For Canadian Residents, coverage is suggested but not required to register.
• For Non-Canadian Citizens, coverage is suggested but not required. It is strongly suggested that your policy includes Emergency Medical Coverage, unless you carry an alternative policy which will respond in the event of medical emergency.

WAIVER - Release of Liability & Indemnity Agreement

Prior to booking you will be required to acknowledge that you have been provided a copy of our Waiver of Liability Agreement for your review. All participants, or their legal guardians wishing to participate on any Cloud Nine Programs, must acknowledge that they have been presented this document in advance of booking, have read it in its entirety, and understand the agreement being entered into by signing. While there is no obligation to enter into this agreement with us, it is a condition of our service provision. 

   REVIEW OUR WAIVER OF LIABILITY HERE

Booking TErms & Conditions

Before you book your course, please review our Booking Terms & Conditions. We do not accept bookings without your voluntary acceptance of these terms. Please read carefully as these terms outline specific policies and guidance for both our staff and clients with respect to refunds, cancellations, rescheduling etc.

   REVIEW OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS HERE

Book a free consultation

Book a phone call or video call with either of our Program Managers or with our Director of Operations.

This is an excellent preliminary step towards booking a trip with us. It allows us to better understand your requirements and needs for your desired objective.