Itinerary

ARRIVAL & PRE-ASCENT

7 days in advance of your ascent, our Program Managers will touch base to provide you with an update on expected route conditions, avalanche hazards (if applicable), and expected weather for your ascent day. Your Guide(s) will be in touch 24-48hrs in advance of departure at a minimum to further discuss final logistics and your expectations for your trip with us.

SW FACE SCRAMBLE

The southwest scramble ascent of Mount Temple is a one day program. Our Program Managers will be in touch prior to your ascent to help support you in logistical preparation for your climb, and your Mountain Guide will be available to you as a reference for specific questions about preparations, and questions specific to the ascent after your booking has been confirmed.

You will Meet Your Guide Here at Canmore Visitor Information Centre at 0300hrs (exact time and pickup location in Canmore subject to change), where we'll start with a brief round of introductions and a pre-departure briefing which will include the following:

• Review of any expected changes to weather or climbing conditions
• Expected Hazards, risk management plan, and associated mitigations for the duration of the trip
• Distribution and repacking of meal program and trip food for participants
• Distribution of any required technical equipment
• Presentation of physical Waiver of Liability Document & Signing

Following the pre-departure briefing, we will take the visitor shuttle bus to Moraine Lake. Once there, we'll depart in way of travel along the western shore of Moraine Lake to begin our ascent.

We begin by hiking through the Larch Valley to Sentinel Pass, then continue our way up the east ridge of Mount Temple up the scree and series of rock steps. Retracing our steps back to the valley, the expected return to the parking lot is approximately 1600hrs, from where we'll board the visitor shuttle bus back to Canmore.

THE EAST RIDGE

ARRIVAL & PRE-ASCENT

The East Ridge of Temple Ascent Program is either a 1 or 2-day program. Our Program Managers will be in touch prior to your ascent to help support you in logistical preparation for your climb, and your Mountain Guide will be available to you as a reference for specific questions about preparations as well as questions specific to the ascent after your booking has been confirmed. The morning of departure, you can expect to meet your Mountain Guide at Canmore Visitor Information Centre at 0230 - 0330hrs, depending on conditions and time required on route as well as your chosen itinerary (1 or 2-day ascent). 

To assist you in arriving smoothly in Canmore to meet your Mountain Guide: 
You can find our meeting location here.

YOUR ASCENT

On our first day, you will Meet Your Guide Here at Canmore Visitor Information Centre at 0300hrs (exact time and pickup location in Canmore subject to change), where we'll start with a brief round of introductions and a pre-departure briefing which will include the following:

• Review of any expected changes to weather or climbing conditions
• Expected Hazards, risk management plan, and associated mitigations for the duration of the trip
• Distribution and repacking of meal program and trip food for participants
• Distribution of any required technical equipment you require
• Presentation of physical Waiver of Liability Document & Signing

Following the pre-departure briefing, we will take the visitor shuttle bus to Moraine Lake. Once there, we'll depart in way of travel along the western shore of Moraine Lake to begin our ascent.

1-DAY ASCENT: 

The East Ridge of Mount Temple is a long day requiring continuous movement through a significant amount of terrain. While there are sustained sections of 4th class travel, multiple successive pitches up to 5.7 are found on route as well as a long and exposed, glaciated summit ridge traverse. Car to car ascent times can often exceed 12 hours depending on conditions, your level of fitness, and ability to move consistently through the terrain. 

Typically meeting times for our 1-Day ascents will fall between 0230-0300hrs. 

2-DAY ASCENTS: 

On our 2-Day Ascent Programs, allow for a slightly later departure and a more relaxed pace on the ascent can be expected. We suggest this itinerary for those who do not want to feel the time constraints often present with single-day ascents. Our team will ascend approximately half of the route on the first day, with a high alpine bivouac in the vicinity of a feature on route known as "The Big Step". Start times will often fall between 0300-0330hrs for our 2-day ascent programs. You can expect to be returning to our Moraine Lake trailhead mid-afternoon on your second day, from where we'll board the visitor shuttle bus back to Canmore.

LOGISTICS

Guide : Guest Ratios

The Guide to Guest ratio on Mount Temple will depend on the ascent route chosen. For the SW ascent, this ratio is 1:8. Given the technical nature of the East Ridge ascent, this route is offered at a maximum Guide to Guest ratio of 1:1.
 

Travel to CANMORE

Our suggestions for your most efficient way to access the program venue from a variety of locations and international ports of entry:

• Calgary (YYC) to Canmore:

  • Those Guests traveling from or arriving by air at Calgary International Airport: Your most efficient route to join us for the program start is by arrival in Canmore. A rental car, while suggested, is not essential for this itinerary. A combination of airport transfer and local taxi service will be available to you and sufficient for this program.
    Find a travel plan here

• Edmonton (YEG) to Canmore: 

  • Those Guests travelling from or arriving by air at Edmonton International Airport: the fastest route is via Calgary by AB-2 S and then Highway 1 to Canmore. An alternative and more scenic route travels via Rocky Mountain House, then Saskatchewan River Crossing, turning south on HWY 93N toward Banff, continuing onto Canmore. A rental car or personal transportation will be required.
    Find a travel plan here

• Travelling from British Columbia: 

  • For our Guests travelling and arriving from locations in British Columbia: Please use the following map link to aid in your planning and arrival in Canmore at our meeting point.
    Our Meeting Point in Canmore
     

Early ARRIVALS Pre-Trip

ACCOMMODATION & TRIP PREP

For those looking to arrive early ahead of your program, there are a variety of useful pre-trip amenities and comfortable accommodation options around our base in Canmore, Alberta, the townsite of Banff, a further 20-minute drive inside the East Gates of Banff National Park, and Lake Louise. The following are our suggestions for accommodation as well as gear and equipment retailers to help you prepare post-arrival:

• ACCOMMODATION:
   

  • CANMORE 
    ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA
    THE PAINTBOX LODGE

  • BANFF
    BUFFALOBERRY LODGE

  • LAKE LOUISE
    CANADIAN ALPINE CENTRE
    THE POST HOTEL
     

• GEAR PURCHASES PRE-TRIP:

  For those looking to purchase gear and equipment prior to your course, we would suggest the following local Bow Valley retailers:

  • Vertical Addiction
    • Located in Canmore, Vertical Addiction offers a complete selection of technical climbing, mountaineering and ski equipment along with a broad selection of technical clothing. 
       
  • SkiUphill
    • Located in Canmore, SkiUphill is a collective of experience driven individuals each with their own history, knowledge and stories of getting out there and getting after it. They offer expertise in backcountry skiing, trail running, climbing and any combination of those activities all while offering the best selection of curated equipment. 
       
  • Monods Sports
    • Located in Banff, Monods is one of the longest operating outdoor equipment and clothing retailers in the Bow Valley. Monods has a large selection of technical clothing and equipment offerings.
       
  • Ortovox
    • Our Partners at Ortovox are known for their high-quality technical outerwear and are a supporting partner of C9G and our ski guiding programs.
       
  • Black Diamond Equipment
    • Black Diamond Equipment has been providing skiers and alpinists with technical equipment since 1989, and is a supporting partner of C9G and our guided ski programs.

TRANSPORTATION FOR YOUR ASCENT

TRANSPORTATION COSTS

Due to the permanent summer closure of Moraine Lake Road, we will now begin our Ascent Program at our hub in Canmore, from where you and your guide will catch the visitor shuttle bus together to Moraine Lake. The bus fees involved are included in your Ascent Package Fee.

MOUNTAIN MEAL PROGRAM

MEAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ADD ON

A complete Meal Program starts with Dinner on Day 1 and concludes with lunch on your final trip day. Please contact our program managers on meal program options and they can put you in touch with the right people. 

Dietary restrictions can be accommodated, reach out for more information on Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Paleo, or allergy restrictions for your trip.

Required Equipment & Personal Items

• Backpacks - 40-50L (Depending on Itinerary)
• Mountaineering Boots (not provided)
• Ice Axe (included on request
• Crampons (included on request)
• Harness (included on request)
• Helmet (included on request)
• Sunglasses (We suggest Julbo Sunglasses min. CAT 3)
• 50+ SPF Sunscreen
• Lip Balm with SPF
• Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
• Water Bottle - 2 X Collapsible Nalgene Style Water Bottle suggested
• Blister Kit
• Camera
• Trekking Pole
• Ear Plugs (2 Day Ascents)

Essential clothing

• Base Layers - Tops and Bottoms (Wool or Synthetic Only)
• Mid Layers - Tops and Bottoms (200 Weight Wool or Synthetic is Ideal)
• Socks - Wool Blend is best, no cotton
• Light Collared Synthetic Shirt (optional, nice for the really hot sunny days)
• Softshell Jacket and Pants
• Gore-Tex Jacket and Pants
• Sun Hat
• Buff Style Neck Tube or Similar
• Insulated Hat
• Gloves - Heavyweight and Lightweight Options
• Underwear + spares
• Down or Synthetic Insulated Jacket

TRIP CANCELLATION & INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

The best method to protect your investment with us should unforeseen arise, requiring you cancel your booking, is to purchase a Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Policy. 

Lifestyle Insurance has covered many of Cloud Nine Guests on trips all over the world, and we have first-hand experience seeing these policies activated by our Guests. 

Safeguard your trip costs and investment with us. Request a Quote from Lifestyle Financial.

Is this coverage required?

• For Canadian Residents, coverage is suggested but not required to register.
• For Non-Canadian Citizens, coverage is suggested but not required. It is strongly suggested that your policy includes Emergency Medical Coverage, unless you carry an alternative policy which will respond in the event of medical emergency.

WAIVER - Release of Liability & Indemnity Agreement

Prior to booking you will be required to acknowledge that you have been provided a copy of our Waiver of Liability Agreement for your review. All participants, or their legal guardians wishing to participate on any Cloud Nine Programs, must acknowledge that they have been presented this document in advance of booking, have read it in its entirety, and understand the agreement being entered into by signing. While there is no obligation to enter into this agreement with us, it is a condition of our service provision. 

   REVIEW OUR WAIVER OF LIABILITY HERE

Booking Terms & Conditions

Before you book your course, please review our Booking Terms & Conditions. We do not accept bookings without your voluntary acceptance of these terms. Please read carefully as these terms outline specific policies and guidance for both our staff and clients with respect to refunds, cancellations, rescheduling etc.

   REVIEW OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS HERE

Book a free consultation

Book a phone call or video call with either of our Program Managers or with our Director of Operations.

This is an excellent preliminary step towards booking a trip with us. It allows us to better understand your requirements and needs for your desired objective.