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 2am - 430am, 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. 

Guide : Guest Ratios

Given the long and technical nature of the East Ridge of Temple, Guide to Guest ratios are available at 1:1. 
 

Travel to 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 for the program start in Lake Louise will be through our base in Canmore, Alberta. A rental car may be required, though public transfers or transportation options are also available to you.
    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 require travel via Rocky Mountain House then Saskatchewan River Crossing, turning south on HWY 93N toward Lake Louise. 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 in Lake Louise. 
    Our Meeting Point in Lake Louise
     

Transfers from Calgary international Airport:

Transfers are available departing Calgary International, arriving in Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise. We'd suggest The Banff Airporter for those requiring transfers from Calgary.

• The Banff Airporter
   

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:
   

  • CANMORE 
    ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA
    THE PAINTBOX LODGE

  • BANFF
    BUFFALOBERRY LODGE

  • LAKE LOUISE
    CANADIAN ALPINE CENTRE
    THE POST HOTEL
     

• GEAR PURCHASES PRE-COURSE:

  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. 
       
  • 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.
       
  • Black Diamond Equipment
    • Our Affiliate Partners at Black Diamond Equipment are our first choice for technical clothing and equipment. Check out their broad range of technical clothing and equipment and purchase at either Monods or Vertical Addiction locally.
       

Mountain Meal Program (2 Day Ascents)

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM FEE

A complete Meal Program starts with Dinner on Day 1 and concludes with Lunch on Day 2. Please pack a lunch for your first program day.

Dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Please contact our Program Managers at the office 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
   

Camping Gear (2 Day Ascent)

For those on our 2 Day Ascent Programs, you will require the following:

• Sleeping Pad (we suggest Exped or Thermarest Down or Synthetic Fill with high R-Value)
• 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.