Top ten lists

I have been asked many times for a list of my top ten hikes, backpacking trips, scrambles and climbs. It seemed better to split them into categories, so here goes. These are obviously subjective and are rated as much on the weather and the mood I was in at the time as on the trip itself. Each list is alphabetical — choosing an absolute best one is beyond me. 😏

Long-time readers will know I am weird about what I find satisfying. Some of these will leave you wondering whether I am dumb. I rate Recondite as a top ten alpine climb, and most people avoid that loose, distant peak until they have to climb it. Apologies in advance for a soft spot for long off-trail approaches and obscure summits.

Recent trips

Favourites from the past few years, in alphabetical order. Eventually they will work their way into the other lists or be replaced by newer ones.

Honourable mentions"Kellwasser" & "Little Brother" PeakBourgeau, Little (+ A Hidden, Giant Cave)

Overall scrambles

Hard to choose only ten. What you will notice is that my favourites are either remote, difficult, or both — I get the most satisfaction out of long trips that are not done often and are not too easy.

  • Amery, Mount & Monchy / Hooge Peak

    Sep 2012, Lyell Group, Banff National Park

    MN72000 m36 kmalpine climb, camp

  • Brussilof, Mount

    Jul 2018, Blue Range, Assiniboine Provincial Park

    SC72000 m15 kmscramble, camp

  • Catacombs Mountain

    Sep 2013, Hooker Icefield

    MN72100 m60 kmalpine climb, hike, camp

  • Cataract Peak

    Jul 2017, Drummond Group, Banff National Park

    SC63400 m51 kmscramble

  • Chephren, Mount

    Aug 2009, North Waputik Mountains, Banff National Park

    SC71700 m22 kmscramble, camp

  • Ishbel, Mount

    Jul 2011, Sawback Range, Banff National Park

    SC71625 m11.5 kmscramble

  • Sira Peak

    Jul 2021, Vermillion Range, Banff National Park

    SC61750 m44 kmscramble, hike

  • Temple, Mount

    Sep 2007, Bow Range, Banff National Park

    SC61600 m14 kmscramble

  • Wolverine Peak (Auditor)

    Aug 2022, Waputik Range, Yoho National Park

    SC61150 m23 kmscramble

Honourable mentionsAbruzzi, MountBarrier to Gable Mountain TraverseCrypt Circuit (Boswell, Crypt, Vimy)

Easy scrambles

Less fierce options that many hikers will enjoy, without a ton of bushwhacking or exposure. You should not feel like you are going to die on any of these, or that you are off route. I make no promises about the ease of access. 😏

  • Abruzzi, Mount

    Aug 2020, Elk Range

    SC51850 m23 kmscramble, hike

  • Hangman Peak & Littlehorn

    Jul 2020, First Range, David Thompson Country

    SC52515 m36.5 kmscramble

  • Harris, Mount

    Jul 2020, Clearwater Ranges, Banff National Park

    SC51100 m10 kmscramble

  • Iceface Peak

    Sep 2024, Murchison Group, Banff National Park

    SC61300 m20 kmscramble

  • McDonald, Mount

    Aug 2022, Cloister Mountains, White Goat Wilderness Area

    SC51000 mscramble

  • Melanin Peak

    Jun 2022, Bare Range, Banff National Park

    SC51800 m84 kmscramble, hike, bike

  • Minnow Peak (Fish Lakes)

    Aug 2019, Murchison Group, Banff National Park

    SC51600 m33.5 kmscramble, hike

  • Schaffer, Mount (McArthur Lake)

    Sep 2010, Bow Range, Yoho National Park

    OT3500 m8 kmscramble, hike

  • Sira Peak

    Jul 2021, Vermillion Range, Banff National Park

    SC61750 m44 kmscramble, hike

  • Whelk Peak

    Jun 2021, Ram Range, David Thompson Country

    SC51000 m15.5 kmscramble, bike

Honourable mentionsStruan, Wurzburg & Andover (Beauty Creek)Pharaoh Peak, GreaterJutland to Sage Mountain Traverse (Matkin, Font)

Moderate scrambles

No need to feel like you might die on route, but there are wonderful views and some hands-on work involved in reaching the summit.

Honourable mentionsApparition MountainMarvel Peak (+ "Little Marvel")Wardle, Mount (Fuhrer Route)

Difficult scrambles

A mix of short, difficult cruxes and loose, terrifying ascents which will take coins from your luck jar no matter how proficient you are at climbing without a rope to arrest a slip. Treat all of them with proper respect.

  • Allenby, Mount (True & False)

    Sep 2023, Sundance Range, Banff National Park

    SC72200 m45 kmscramble, hike, bike

  • Amery, Mount & Monchy / Hooge Peak

    Sep 2012, Lyell Group, Banff National Park

    MN72000 m36 kmalpine climb, camp

  • Brussilof, Mount

    Jul 2018, Blue Range, Assiniboine Provincial Park

    SC72000 m15 kmscramble, camp

  • Chephren, Mount

    Aug 2009, North Waputik Mountains, Banff National Park

    SC71700 m22 kmscramble, camp

  • Gould Dome

    Jul 2021, High Rock Range, Kananaskis Country

    SC71300 m18.5 kmscramble, bike

  • Ishbel, Mount

    Jul 2011, Sawback Range, Banff National Park

    SC71625 m11.5 kmscramble

  • Mercer, Mount

    Sep 2024, Sundance Range, Banff National Park

    SC71500 m36 kmscramble, hike, bike

  • Smuts, Mount & The Fist

    Aug 2005, Spray Mountains, Kananaskis Country

    SC71600 m19 kmscramble

  • Stephen, Mount

    Aug 2005, Ottertail Range, Yoho National Park

    SC71920 m12.5 kmscramble

Honourable mentionsFisher Peak (Kananaskis)Wardle, Mount (Fuhrer Route)Marpole, Mount (+ CarMar)

Remote scrambles

These will have you pretty bagged by the time you drag your tired carcass back to the vehicle, either after a very long day or several days off grid. All of them left an impression of untouched beauty, special alpine views and solitude.

Honourable mentionsBreaker Mountain (Capricorn Lake)Obstruction MountainRevenant Mountain (Steacie)

Alpine climbs — non winter

The cream of the crop. Mountains I dreamed about for years before ascending them, and some I never thought I would stand on top of. At heart I am nothing other than a hiker and scrambler, so any alpine climbing is a gigantic bonus — I owe the folks who dragged me along on most of these.

Honourable mentionsCline, MountPresident, The & Vice PresidentRecondite Peak

Easy alpine climbs

Either not requiring special climbing gear, or a very minimal amount of it — a short rappel or an easy glacier crossing.

Honourable mentionsAberdeen & Haddo, Mount (Hazel Peak)Warren, MountWoolley, Mount

Winter alpine climbs

These will make you work for their summits. The hardest part with most of them is surviving the approach and the winter camping. Many have severe avalanche slopes or crevasse fields and should not be underestimated — though technically none are especially difficult.

  • Ayesha Peak

    May 2014, Wapta Icefield

    MN81600 m35 kmski, alpine climb

  • Balfour, Mount

    Feb 2010, Wapta Icefield

    MN81300 m10 kmski, alpine climb

  • Collie, Mount

    Apr 2014, Poilus Group, Wapta Icefield

    MN81900 m33 kmski, alpine climb

  • Columbia, Mount

    Apr 2015, Columbia Icefield

    MN82000 m41 kmski, alpine climb

  • Hector, Mount

    Apr 2020, Murchison Group, Banff National Park

    MN81550 m14 kmski, alpine climb

  • North Twin Peak & Twins Tower

    May 2012, Columbia Icefield

    MN82500 m42 kmski, alpine climb

  • Resplendent Mountain

    Apr 2016, Rainbow Range, Mount Robson Provincial Park

    MN84237 m76 kmski

  • South Twin Peak

    May 2015, Columbia Icefield

    MN82100 m44 kmski, alpine climb

  • White Pyramid

    May 2009, North Waputik Mountains, Banff National Park

    MN71650 m19 kmski, alpine climb

  • Wilson, Mount

    Apr 2013, Cline Range, Banff National Park

    MN72100 m20 kmalpine climb, snowshoe

Honourable mentionsAndromeda, MountErnest Peak (Lyell III)Patterson, Mount

Easy winter alpine trips

Easier winter trips, many of them snowshoe outings in big alpine terrain. As with the harder ones, these should only be attempted by people with training and experience on an Alberta snowpack, and on glaciers.

Honourable mentionsRamp PeakSpine PeakTurquoise Peak (Hector Lake)

Ski tours

A ski tour might still involve a peak but is more focused on the tour than on snow climbing. In general these are more benign and less exposed than the winter ascents above — though several are still somewhat exposed. Assumes you are familiar with avalanche risk and how to mitigate it.

Honourable mentionsOgden Bench (Knob) Ski TourWolverine Ridge (+ Purple Mound)

Backpacking trips

Strap on a pack and give any of these a shot — but only if you like adventure and some of the most in-your-face views in the Canadian Rockies. They range from remote and hard to access to easy with good trails and established campgrounds. Rated with hikers in mind, not scramblers.

Honourable mentionsBerg Lake - Approach & CampingClearwater MountainLake O'Hara Alpine Circuit (Opabin Plateau)

Worst trips

My readers thought it only fair that since I post so many favourable trips, I should include ten of my least favourite. I agree. A good number are snowshoe trips, which is no surprise, and they are all fairly easy — probably chosen because of crappy conditions when I did not really feel like being anywhere other than my warm, comfortable couch.

Honourable mentionsOkotoks MountainMustang Hills, TheTwo Pines & Last Break (Lyon)