11 m away
Balfour Hut to Highway 1
A long and rewarding trip which can be split with a night at the Scott Duncan hut.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 865 m
- Descent
- 1.7 km
Wapta Traverse - Day 4
Banff National Park
Yoho National Park
Balfour hut To Scott Duncan
Also in British Columbia, Canada
Ski Touring Severe
- Distance
- 11 km
- Ascent
- 768 m
- Descent
- 487 m
- Duration
- 4-5 hrs
- Low Point
- 2.4 km
- High Point
- 3 km
- Gradient
- 30˚
ACCESS: From the Balfour Hut via the Balfour High Col which is the most challenging and potentially dangerous section of the Wapta traverse.
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Description
The Scott Duncan Hut is located on a cliff bench below the northwest ridge of Mt. Daly at the south end of the Waputik Icefield. To access the Scott Duncan Hut from the Balfour Hut you need good weather and stable snow conditions as you must gain the Balfour High Col. This is often described as the crux of the Wapta traverse and with good reason as there
Get the full route description at www.backcountryskiingcanada.com
Difficulty
Severe
Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.
High Exposure (E3)
In case of a fall, death is highly likely.
Remoteness
Away from help but easily accessed.
Best time to visit
Features
- Alpine
- Ski Mountaineering
Equipment required
- Rope
- Skins
- Ice axe
- Crampons
- Glacier kit
Similar routes nearby
7.5 km away
Guy Hut to Balfour Hut via Mount Gordon's West Face
A day which takes in wild, remote terrain and some fabulous skiing.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 859 m
- Descent
- 1 km
7.5 km away
Mount Collie
A stunningly positioned peak which can be reached from a number of start points
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 8.7 km
- Ascent
- 621 m
- Descent
- 621 m
7.5 km away
Yoho Peak from the Guy Hut
A short but breathtaking tour to a summit in the heart of the Wapta
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 3.3 km
- Ascent
- 373 m
- Descent
- 373 m
7.5 km away
Mount des Poilus north summit
A wild and scenic trip to the head of the Poilus Glacier
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 7.1 km
- Ascent
- 661 m
- Descent
- 661 m
7.5 km away
Mount des Poilus
A classic objective from the Guy Hut
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 5.8 km
- Ascent
- 661 m
- Descent
- 661 m
9.7 km away
Mount Olive (3130 m)
A great glacier tour, topped with a fantastic ridge
Moderate Ski Touring
- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 1.3 km
- Descent
- 1.3 km
9.7 km away
St Nicholas Peak
A spectacular peak on the Wapta Icefields
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 18 km
- Ascent
- 1.1 km
- Descent
- 1.1 km
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Guidebooks in this area
3 routes · Ski Touring
The Ultimate Wapta Traverse Backcountry Ski Guide
3 routes · Ski Touring
Big Alberta Adventures : Ski Tours from Bow Lake
4 routes · Ski Touring
Wapta the Wild Way
4 routes · Ski Touring
Scenic Ski Tours From the Guy Hut
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