Best of the Bugaboos
Types: Alpine, Climbing, Climbing and Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Summer
Region: Kootenays
Join us this summer and explore the Bugaboos, one of Canada’s premier alpine climbing destinations! With a wide variety of alpine & rock routes of all grades on the picturesque granite spires there's something for everyone.
Best of the Bugaboos
Classic routes, aesthetic granite lines, stunning summits, majestic glaciers: The Bugaboos have it all. The area is also home to two of the famous ’50 Classic Climbs of North America’: The uber classic NE Ridge of Bugaboo Spire (5.8) and the iconic Beckey-Chouinard route on South Howser Tower (5.10c). We’ve been heading into the Bugaboos every year for almost a decade and the place still calls us back!
So join BlackSheep this summer for an opportunity to tag some classic summits, get a taste of alpine rock climbing or for another shot at that bucket list climb. Stand on the summit of the Crescent Towers and take in the surrounding spires and tumbling glaciers. Tiptoe around the gendarme on the classic Kain route up Bugaboo Spire. Cruise up beautiful granite cracks. Challenge yourself with exhilarating exposure as you cross exposed rock ridges.
Mountaineering & Alpine Climbing:
The Bugaboos is an ideal area alpine climbing and mountaineering. There are a wide variety of mixed snow and rock routes of various grades on the local granite spires including:
- NE Ridge Eastpost Spire, 4th class
- Pigeon Feathers traverse, 4th class
- West Ridge (Pigeon Spire), 5.4
- East Ridge (Marmolata), 5.6
- Lion’s Way(Crescent Towers), 5.6
- Kain Route (Bugaboo Spire), 5.6
- Ears Between (Crescent Towers), 5.7
- NE Ridge (Bugaboo Spire), 5.8
- Wildflowers (Snowpatch Spire), 5.9
- Bugaboo Corner (Snowpatch Spire), 5.9
- Surf’s Up (Snowpatch Spire), 5.9
Waiver & Risk Management:
As you know, outdoor activities involve numerous hazards including, but not limited to, avalanches, crevasses, rockfall, slips and falls, equipment failure, poor weather, etc. And while we do our best to anticipate and mitigate these hazards we cannot completely eliminate them. So, as with anything fun, you will be required to sign our Participant Release to take part in one of our courses or trips.
Custom Dates Available
Fine Print:
- Lifetime deposits (deposits never expire)
- Canadian trip prices are in CAD
- International trip prices are in USD
- Canadian trips subject to 5% GST (tax)
- Payments made by credit card are subject to a 2.5% credit card fee
- Be sure to look over our Booking Policies
- Participants will be required to sign a BlackSheep Participant Release
This trip will be customized to match with your goals and objectives. As a result the itinerary is really up to you. However, here are a few samples to get you thinking:
MOUNTAINEERING, GLACIER TRAVEL & SCRAMBLING:
Ratio: Maximum of 4 guests / guide
Day 1: Drive from Golden and approach hike to Cobalt Lake
Day 2: Scramble Northpost Spire
Day 3: Hike over a small glacier to Applebee Dome campground
Day 4: Scramble NE Ridge of Eastpost Spire then back to Golden
MODERATE TECHNICAL ROCK CLIMBS (up to 5.6):
Ratio: Maximum of 2 guests / guide
Day 1: Drive from Golden and approach hike to Applebee.
Day 2: Pigeon Spire via West Ridge (5.5)
Day 3: Bugaboo Spire via Kain Route (5.6)
Day 4: Crescent Spire via Lion’s Way (5.6) then drive back to Golden
DIFFICULT TECHNICAL ROCK CLIMBS (up to 5.8):
Ratio: Maximum of 2 guests / guide
Day 1: Drive from Golden and approach hike to Applebee.
Day 2: Snowpatch Spire via Buckingham or Snowpatch Route (5.8)
Day 3: Bugaboo Spire via NE Ridge (5.8)
Day 4: Crescent Spite via Ears Between (5.7) then drive back to Golden
MORE DIFFICULT TECHNICAL ROCK CLIMBS* (to 5.10):
Ratio: Maximum of 1 guest / guide
Day 1: Drive from Golden & hike to Applebee
Day 2: Bugaboo Spire via NE Ridge (5.8)
Day 3: Hike to East Creek, optional climb on Pigeon Spire (5.4)
Day 4: Beckey-Chouinard (5.10, 22 pitches) & descend back to bivi site
Day 5: Walk-out and drive back to Golden
* This itinerary will incur additional costs for the lower ratio and extra day