I am heading to the Banff area for the first time in Mid- January and would appreciate your thoughts on a couple of items re: the Ice.

Any suggestions on good maps for the area . I am targeting the area appr. 30-40km north and south from the Rampart Creek hostel . I have J. Josephsons book which is very good but was hoping for some detailed area maps to help with route finding both in and out of the car .

Also , how do you size up the ratings for the climbs compared to other areas you have spent time in ?

Finally , in the grade 3,4,5 range I would be curious as to your personal must do list for the area .

-- Brad Steinfeld (Bsteinfeld@worldnet.att.net), December 13, 1997

Answers

On one of my trips I had a topo map for banff np lent to me by a backpacking friend who bought it in berkeley. You would probably find it in Banff. I ended up not using it. Most of the climbs are obvious from the road, and the approaches are also quite direct.

I found the ratings to be fair, and consistent with what I was used to in France.

I think Joe's list of the classics is good. The only 4 I've climbed there was Professor which i found good. You should not miss Polar Circus and the Lower weeping wall.

-- Quang-Tuan Luong (luong@ai.sri.com), December 13, 1997.

dooo doo dooo do do dlooolooo

-- Nicholas (www.nardboyz@yahoo.com), April 21, 2003.