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Three Canadians Send The Path 5.14a Trad at Lake Louise

In the summer of 2020

The Path is one of Canada’s most famous pitches and now three climbers can add their names to the list of sends. Danny Poceta, Dexter Bateman and Simon Yamamoto all climbed the 5.14a trad line this summer. A hold broker earlier this season, but was glued back on it the original spot. The route is run-out in many spots and many climbers give it 5.14R.

“This route was kind of my only goal this summer,” Bateman wrote on his Sendage card. “I felt to busy with work to do much else as far as bigger climbs go. Loved the process and loved climbing with my longtime climbing partner and pal Simon [Yamamoto] and Nick Rochacewich who used to coach both of us. Thanks to Danny as well. The parking and crowds were also a bit of a challenge, but seeing everyone happy and enjoying themselves at Lake Louise made the route and process than much better.”

The Path was first climbed by Sonnie Trotter and became a popular hard trad route after he chopped the 1980’s bolts from the project before his send. Doug McConnell, Tim Emmett, Read Macadam and Alex Megos climbed The Path in 2016, but there were no recorded ascents in 2017.

In 2018, Babsi Zangerl made the first female ascent; her partner Jacopo Larcher also sent. Other climbers who’ve climbed it include Ethan Pringle, Matt Wilder, Peter Kamitses, Miles Adamson and Tommy Caldwell (featured photo above by Trotter). In 2019, Nathan Hadley made an ascent, read more here. Other climbers are currently projecting the steep line.

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