Mount Athabasca - 3491M

GUIDED ASCENTS WITH INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED C9 MOUNTAIN GUIDES
 

One of the most popular Ascents in both Banff and Jasper National Parks, Mount Athabasca sits prominently above the Columbia Icefields Center along the Icefields Parkway, roughly 2.5 hours from the Banff Townsite. For many, the peak provides an outstanding first experience on the large scale, glaciated peaks in the Canadian Rockies. The vast real estate on the peaks North Face offers our teams a host of more technical challenges for those interested in testing their hand on technical alpine routes requiring mixed climbing technique, pitched climbing, and wild positions. It's popularity born in part from its aesthetic position, towering above the throngs of tourists below, but also the ascent options it provides for the entry level and experienced Alpinist alike. 

 

 AN ICONIC CANADIAN ROCKIES ASCENT

OUR MOST POPULAR ALPINE PROGRAM JUNE TO OCTOBER
 

 TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDED*

SUPPORTED BY OUR PARTNERS AT BLACK DIAMOND EQUIPMENT
 

 MEAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

HEALTHY MOUNTAIN MEALS TO KEEP YOUR FURNACE FIRING
 

 BOOK WITH A GROUP AND SAVE

BOOK WITH GROUPS OF UP TO 6 & ASCEND STARTING AT $334 / PERSON

 

 

 

ITINERARY

 

ARRIVAL & PRE ASCENT

The Mount Athabasca Ascent is a 1.5 Day Program. The evening prior to your ascent your Mountain Guide will meet you (and your team) at the Columbia Icefields Campground along the Icefields Parkway at 6:00pm MST where dinner, a review of gear and equipment, expected climbing conditions, current weather, and a discussion on our risk management process relative to our proposed route will take place for the mornings departure.

To assist you in arriving smoothly at the Icefields Campground: 
You can find our meeting location here.

 

Your Ascent Day 

Your Guide will be up early preparing Coffee, Tea and Breakfast for our Guests who have booked a Meal Program with us. You can expect an alpine (early) start to the day. Start times will be based primarily on conditions on the peak as well as expected weather. Most frequently our teams will depart the trailhead at 4am. However there are circumstances that may dictate a departure as early as 12am (midnight), or inversely circumstances that allow for a later departure around 5am. Your Guide will suggest a departure time based on conditions in the interests of maximizing potential for a summit of the peak - we will however work with you to find a departure time that's suitable for you (and the team) so long as this does not unduly increase risk levels. 

Usually our Mountain Guides will Guide ascents of Mount Athabasca in approximately 9-10hrs. During periods where near perfect conditions exist on the peak, fast ascents with quick teams may be possible in 6-7hrs. Where more challenging conditions exist or a team requires a slower pace, ascent times approaching 15hrs can also be experienced. 

 

LOGISTICS

 

Guide : Guest Ratios

Both the AA Col Route, as well at The Ramp route can be Guided with 1:6 Guide to Guest ratios. For the more technical North Face Routes, such as the Silverhorn, Regular North Face, or the North Face Bypass, Guide to Guest Ratios a limited to 1:2.
 

Travel to the columbia Icefields

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 Columbia Icefields:
    • Those Guests traveling from, or arriving by air at Calgary International Airport: Your most efficient route to join us at the Columbia Icefields will be through our base in Canmore, Alberta via Lake Louise then by turning North along the Icefields Parkway. A rental car or personal transportation will be required. 
      Find a travel plan here.

  • Edmonton (YEG) to The Columbia Icefields: 
    • Those Guests travelling from, or arriving by air at Edmonton International Airport: Typically this will require travel via Rocky Mountain House then Saskatchewan River Crossing prior to arrival at the Columbia Icefields. A rental car or personal transportation will be required.
      Find a travel plan here.

  • Travelling from British Columbia: 

Early ARRIVALS

ACCOMMODATION & TRIP PREP

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

  • ACCOMMODATION:
     
  • 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 have 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.

 

Your Mountain Guide's Transportation

TRANSPORTATION COSTS

In addition to your Ascent Package Fee, an additional fee of $200 CDN will be applied to your order. These amounts are paid in full and directly to our Guiding Staff to cover the longer transportation routes required to arrive at the Columbia Icefields. In circumstances where you are able to provide your Guide with Transportation from our hubs in either Canmore or Lake Louise, and where no other factors make prohibit this option, this fee will be waived.
 

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.
 

NATIONAL PARK ENTRY PASSES

Guests are responsible for obtaining a National Park entry pass required for the drive through Icefields Parkway, 93N.
 

Accommodation options at the Columbia Icefields

ADD ON OR UPGRADED ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE

The majority of our Guests choose to join us with a stay at the Columbia Icefields Campground. We do however have upgraded accommodation options for your trip with us, which we can arrange for you. Note - your tent site at the Columbia Icefields Campground is not included in your course fee.

 

Required Equipment & Personal Items

  • Backpacks - Small Day Pack ~ 35L
  • Mountaineering Boots (not provided)
  • Ice Axe (optional)
  • Crampons (optional)
  • Harness (optional)
  • Helmet (optional)
  • Sunglasses (We suggest Julbo Sun Glasses)
  • 50+ SPF Sunscreen
  • Lib Balm with SPF
  • Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
  • Water Bottle - 2 X Collapsable Nalgene Style Water Bottle
  • Blister Kit
  • Camera
  • Trekking Pole
  • Ear Plugs
     

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
  • Underwear + spares
  • Down or Synthetic Insulated Jacket
     

Camping Gear

For those staying with us at the Icefields Campground you will require the following:

  • Sleeping Pad (we suggest Exped or Thermarest Down or Synthetic Fill with high R-Value)
  • Tent
  • Sleeping Bag - 3 Season Bag rated to ~ -7˚C

 

Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance

The best method to protect your investment with us should unforeseen is to purchase a Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Policy. We strongly recommend purchasing coverage.

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 by 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 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. 

ORTOVOX - Proud Supporting Partner of the Outdoor Rock Climbing Series Courses
Cloud Nine Mountain Guides are Internationally IFMGA Certified
Rock Courses Supported by Black Diamond Equipment