Happy Canada Parks Day and Parks with Climbs
Canada’s first National Park was established in 1885 as Banff Hot Spring Reserve. The name soon changed to Banff National Park and for the past 132 years, our national parks have played an important role is the growth of climbing.
That very first park was to protect the Cave and Basin Hot Springs, the place Alex Megos parked to walk up the trail to send Fightclub, Canada’s first 5.15 in 2017.
For the complete story of climbing in Canada’s Parks, pick up the 2017 June/July issue of Gripped magazine.
The following is a list of some of Canada’s National Parks with ice, rock or alpine climbing. For more on Parks see here.
Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island has some of Canada’s biggest walls and most remote adventures.
Bruce Peninsula National Park is one of Ontario’s most aesthetic areas with bouldering and Lion’s Head nearby.
Gros Morne National Park is a winter climber’s playground with dozens of massive waterfall ice climbs to keep busy on.
Kluane National Park is one of Canada’s wildest parks with untouched big peaks, classic alpine lines and rustic backcountry approaches.
Cape Breton National Park doesn’t have many climbs but the ones it does are solid and fun multi-pitch adventures.
Banff National Park is one of the most popular for climbers looking for 5.14 sport routes and grade-six alpine lines.
Glacier National Park has world-class ski mountaineering in winter and fun quartzite cragging in summer.
Yoho National Park has good glacier climbs, long and loose rock routes and dozens of ice routes, such as the Beer Climbs near Field.
Kootenay National Park is loaded with potential and a number of popular scrambles, ice climbs, moderate alpine routes and cragging.
Waterton Lakes National Park is known for its ice climbs, summer scrambles and the rare rock climb.
Jasper National Park has some of North America’s most inspiring north faces, such as the North Twin, Mount Kitchener and Mount Alberta.
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