Description

Sitting in the middle of the Wapta range, this beautiful peak can be done as a day tour from the Guy or Bow Huts, or as a detour when moving between them.

Regardless of when you choose to do it, prepare yourself for a truly staggering summit view! We've drawn the route from the Guy Hut as this is the closest start point to the mountain. Start the day by retracing your previous day's steps from the Guy Hut back towards Mount Collie itself.

Upon reaching the top of the glacier which leads down to the Wapta Icefield proper, drift left towards the peak.

The ascent steepens all the way and at some stage on the summit slope you'll have to start zig zagging and moving around crevasses.

The route you take will depend on conditions - the line shown here is just the route we took but it might not be the right one for you! There's usually a little scramble required to access the summit but it's simple enough, and cornices are more of a hazard than the scrambling itself.

Make sure you don't go too close to the edge of any snowy part of the ridge as there is some steep terrain below you and being on a cornice which collapses would be disastrous. Once on the summit, sit and take in the huge vista which surrounds you.

As well as the famous summits of the Wapta you'll also be able to see some of the even bigger peaks on the eastern side of the Icefields Parkway, and some of the mountains which tower above Lake Louise and Banff. Carefully pick your way back down to the glacier and then enjoy a great, mellow ski down!