Mia Climbs

In December, Ken and I met our friend David in Canmore, Alberta for ice climbing. Canmore is a world class ice climbing destination. We felt both excited and intimidated to be in the area for the first time. We were so grateful to David for taking the charge on route planning and leading as we got back in the swing of things. We were also facing new challenges living in our van in the cold, like drying gear, staying warm while cooking, and preventing our water from freezing.

We hopped on:

• Pure Energy in the Cline River Gallery
• Bridge Too Far
• Melt-out
• Junkyards
• Carlsberg Column in Field
• an unnamed WI-4 in the Weeping Wall Area

On the last day, we found this flow about 400 meters to the north of Weeping Wall. After top-roping it once, I gave it a lead send. It had a scary hollow section in the middle before becoming solid, well-protected vertical ice in the top half.

This week was an excellent intro back into waterfall ice climbing before heading back south to Ouray, Colorado. Ken and I are looking forward to coming back next season.

The climbs in Canmore were also great preparation for me as I prepare for my Ice Instructor Course in Ouray this February. I’m preparing for the course and setting myself up to do more ice guiding this summer in the alpine in Washington, and next winter in Colorado.