Mount Temple - 3544M

GUIDED ASCENTS FOR SCRAMBLERS & ALPINISTS VIA 2 CLASSIC ROUTES
 

Mount Temple is an unforgettable landscape. From the town of Lake Louise, the North Face is easily the most prominent feature on the landscape with its summit block covered in thick, blue glacial ice. We offer this ascent via 2 Routes, each with its own unique character, technical difficulty and interest for our Guests.
 

The Regular Route - SW Face:
The SW Face is fast becoming one of the most popular routes in the Lake Louise group for those after a a non-technical ascent in the Lake Louise group. Rising 1660M above the shores of our trailhead at Moraine Lake, the scramblers route provides a big day in moderate terrain for those seeking a Temple Summit. This is often an exceptionally busy route in the summer months by Canadian standards, and having one of our Senior IFMGA Mountain Guides along will ensure you and your team is not subject to increased risk of rockfall, rapidly changing high alpine weather conditions, or other groups who may be travelling off the established ascent route. An excellent itinerary, open to a wide range of our Guests from families through experienced scramblers. Select this itinerary below for more information on the ascent with our team.

The East Ridge - 5.7 / D / 1000M. 
Another of the 50 Classic Climbs in North America, for our Guests with a season or two of Mountaineering or Guided Alpine Climbing, we offer this ascent as either a 1 or 2 day itinerary. For those looking for a more reasonable pace on ascent, our 2 day program provides the option of a high alpine bivouac mid route, while our single day ascents are reserved for those who have previous experience with our IFMGA Mountain Guides. Select this itinerary below for more information on an East Ridge ascent with our team.
 

 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 8

 

 

SW FACE ASCENT

E RIDGE ASCENT

 

Itinerary

 

SW FACE SCRAMBLE

The southwest scramble ascent of Mount Temple is a one day program. Our Program Managers will be in touch prior to your ascent to help support you in logistical preparation for your climb, and your Mountain Guide will be available to you as a reference for specific questions about preparations, and questions specific to the ascent after your booking has been confirmed.

With a long day of climbing we will start early in the morning around 4:00am. We begin by hiking through the Larch Valley to Sentinel Pass, then continue our way up the east ridge of Mount Temple up the scree and series of rock steps. Retracing our steps back to the valley, the expected return to the vehicles is approximately 4:00pm.

 

THE EAST RIDGE

 

ARRIVAL & PRE ASCENT

The East Ridge of Temple Ascent Program is either a single day or two day program. Our Program Managers will be in touch prior to your ascent to help support you in logistical preparation for your climb, and your Mountain Guide will be available to you as a reference for specific questions about preparations, and questions specific to the ascent after your booking has been confirmed. The morning of departure, you can expect to meet your Mountain Guide in the village of Lake Louise between 2:00am - 4:30am, depending on conditions and time required on route, as well as your chosen itinerary (1 or 2 day ascent). 

To assist you in arriving smoothly in Lake Louise to meet your Mountain Guide: 
You can find our meeting location here.

 

YOUR ASCENT

On our first day, you will Meet Your Guide Here in the village of Lake Louise 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 Moraine Lake area is often one of the busiest trailheads in the Lake Louise area and Banff National Park through the summer months. So with that in mind, your Guide will travel with you (often leading in their own vehicle) from the Village centre to clear any traffic controls at the lower end of the Moraine Lake Road with you.

1 DAY ASCENT: 

The East Ridge of Mount Temple is a long day requiring continuous movement through a significant amount of terrain. While there are sustained sections of 4th class travel, multiple successive pitches up to 5.7 are found on route as well as a long and exposed, glaciated summit ridge traverse. Car to car ascent times can often exceed 12 hours depending on conditions, your level of fitness and ability to move consistently through the terrain. 

Typically meeting times for our 1 Day ascents will fall between 0200-0300hrs. 

2 DAY ASCENTS: 

On our 2-Day Ascent Programs, allow for a slightly later departure and a more relaxed pace on ascent can be expected. We suggest this itinerary for those who do not want to feel the time constraints often present with single day ascents. Our team will ascend approximately half the route on the first day, with a high alpine bivouac in the vicinity of a feature on route known as "The Big Step". Start times will often fall between 0330-0500hrs for our 2 day ascent programs. You can expect to be returning to our Moraine Lake trailhead mid afternoon on your second day.

 

 

LOGISTICS

 

Guide : Guest Ratios

The Guide to Guest ratio on Mount Temple will depend on the ascent route chosen. For the SW ascent, this ratio is 1:8. Given the technical nature of the East Ridge ascent, this route is offered at a maximum Guide to Guest ratio of 1:1.
 

Travel to the Lake Louise

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 Lake Louise:
    • Those Guests traveling from, or arriving by air at Calgary International Airport: Your most efficient route to join us in Lake Louise will be through our base in Canmore, Alberta and onward to Lake Louise. A rental car while suggested, is not essential for this itinerary. A combination of airport transfer and local taxi service will be available to you and sufficient for this program.
      Find a travel plan here.

  • Edmonton (YEG) to Lake Louise
    • Those Guests travelling from, or arriving by air at Edmonton International Airport: Typically this will first require a trip via Calgary, onward through Canmore, arriving in Lake Louise. Personal or rental car transportation is suggested for those arriving via Edmonton International Airport.
      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 in Lake Louise at our meeting point.
      Meeting Place.
       

Early ARRIVALS Pre-Trip

ACCOMMODATION & TRIP PREP

For those looking to arrive early ahead of your program, our base in Canmore, Alberta as well as the townsites of Banff, a further 20 minute drive inside the East Gates of Banff National Park, as well as Lake Louise 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.

 

MOUNTAIN MEAL PROGRAM

MOUNTAIN MEAL PROGRAM AVAILABLE 

A complete Meal Program starts with Dinner on Day 1 and concludes with lunch on your final trip day. Please contact our program managers on meal program options and they can put you in touch with the right people. 

Dietary restrictions can be accommodated, reach out for more information on Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Paleo or allergy restrictions for your trip.

 

Required Equipment & Personal Items

  • Backpacks - 40-50L (Depending on Itinerary)
  • Mountaineering Boots (not provided)
  • Ice Axe (included on request
  • Crampons (included on request
  • Harness (included on request)
  • Helmet (included on request)
  • Sunglasses (We suggest Julbo Sun Glasses min. CAT 3)
  • 50+ SPF Sunscreen
  • Lib Balm with SPF
  • Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
  • Water Bottle - 2 X Collapsable Nalgene Style Water Bottle suggested
  • Blister Kit
  • Camera
  • Trekking Pole
  • Ear Plugs (2 Day Ascents)

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

 

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