Thriller is New Bolted 10-Pitch 5.8+ in Rockies

Thriller is a new 10-pitch 585-metre 5.8+ on Mount Indefatigable in Kananaskis Country next to the classic 10-pitch route Joy. The fully bolted climb was established by Andy Genereux, Urs Kallen and Choc Quinn. “This climb is truly fantastic, aside from starting out a little easy, it soon steepens up and is consistent all the way to the top,” said Kallen. “You get that ‘way out’ feeling overlooking the incredible scenery of Kananaskis.”

Genereux shared an in-depth route description with a topo on his website Ghost River Productions here, where he said the route was “established over three days due to weather and hauling the heavy load of bolts and batteries to see the route through to completion.” The pitches go at 5.5 60m, 5.6 60m, 5.7 55m, 5.8+ 55m, 5.8+ 55m, 5.8+ 60m, 5.7 60m, 5.8+ 60m, 5.7 60m, and 5.8+ 60m. You can rappel the route with two 60-metre ropes, otherwise take the same descent as for Joy, which you can find info for here.

Genereux is one of the most prolific route developers in the Canadian Rockies. Kallen and Quinn are legendary Canadian rock and alpine climbers who started to establish routes in the Rockies back in the 1960s. All three climbers appear in the new film about Yamnuska, which will be screening at the Banff Mountain Festival.

Several other new bolted multi-pitch rock climbs have been opened in the Canadian Rockies this summer, including Creature from the Black Lagoon on Mount McGillivray and The Doe on Tunnel Mountain.