Haffner Creek Ice Climbing.

Haffner Creek.

The winter not only brings great skiing to our mountains here in BC and Alberta.
For many years I have been wrapped up in the skiing of winter. Heli-skiing and ski touring saw most of my time. Climbing has been a back ground to many Mountain Guides and Ski Guides. I have neglected the development of intense mixed ice and rock climbing in the last 20 years.
While off at Christmas Loree and I hiked into Haffner Creek along the Radium Highway with Jeff Relph a co-guide at the Monashee Lodge. I have read the MCR's and heard many stories of the mixed climbing there and finally want ed to see it for myself. Off we went.

Yup I sure missed that period, I now feel my age and distance to the sport of Ice Climbing.
But here is what I saw.

The climbing now is as hard as sport rock climbing with all ice climbing tools and skills which are gymnastic in nature. Ice is not necessary but does add to the interest of the climbs.
Haffner Creek is a condensed canyon with numerous sections of 15-30m climbs mixed and straight. One could label this as ice crag, cause it sure saw a collection of folks out for the holidays.

Under the daggers

Will go again to Haffner Creek as it holds a lot of interesting climbs and folks who train for the bigger challenges of the area in Banff Park. Much to do and see.

Rog