The Ghost

Today we woke up around five and after a quick breakfast we started our two hour trip to The Ghost. Once we made it to the dirt road things got interesting with obstacles such as icy hills, deep ruts through unplowed snow, and a scary slope referred to as The Big Hill. From here we scoped out our original objective, The Real Big Drip, and realized it was missing at least 20m of ice.


After a bit of discussion we changed our plans and headed out to a classic ice climb called The Sorcerer. The guide book says, "If you are to do just one route in the Ghost River area The Sorcerer would be it". While rated at (WI5, 210m) we found it to be in very thin and hard to protect WI6 conditions. Amos put up a technical, committing lead on Pitch 3, climbing a detached pillar and ice roofs before punching it to the bolts. From here we decided to rappel as neither of us were too keen on holding on to our tools any longer.

Spectacular limestone amphitheater - by John Giraldo

The Sorcerer - by John Giraldo

Starting the climb on unprotectable verglas
-by Amos Swanson

Amos pulling the scary crux
-by John Giraldo

Above the roofs - by John Giraldo

Ok, so now for the highlight of the day. Actually might have been the highlight of the trip. Buckle your seat belt and hang on, this video is rad!

Trip Notes:
It has been 30-40 deg F so far, feels as enjoyable as rock climbing!
Hostels are cool, the people that frequent them are odd.
Traveling without a private hotel room and making all your own meals while full time climbing is a surprising amount of work.
Canmore has more hotels than people.