Dark Nature at Lake Louise Gets Tricky Mixed Extension

Fred Giroux and Ian Welsted added an extension to the popular mixed climb near Lake Louise called Dark Nature, a two-pitch M6 WI5+. Dark Nature was first climbed in 2000 by JF Morin, Mike Verwey and the late Andrew Langsford. It’s seen a number of ascents this year.

Welsted said, “Clip the fixed pins, crimp the handrail and climb the well-protected corner. We rapped to the gully off a large tree eight meters climber’s left of the top out. Rack of cams from micro to #4, nuts.”

They called the extension Dark Matter, as Welsted pointed out that Giroux said, “It’s the missing link in theoretical cosmology.” Dark Nature is found in a feature high above the slope across from Louis Falls WI4/5.

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@fred.giroux mastering the dark arts to explore the Dark Matter extension. Highly recommended. Clip the fixed pins to the right of the two bolt anchor at the top of Dark Nature, crimp the hand traverse, and enjoy 15 meters of exposed quartzite cracks (M6+). @canadianalpinetools

A post shared by Ian Welsted (@ianwelsted) on Jan 23, 2019 at 2:27am PST

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"Just like Freeway". @fred.giroux wasn't buying it, but see what I mean? The exposure, the cracks… @canadianalpinetools #rescuedbythehouseguest

A post shared by Ian Welsted (@ianwelsted) on Jan 23, 2019 at 7:52am PST