A group of friends from Ontario and Calgary convened in Canmore last week for the “Third Annual Barry Blanchard and Friends Ice Camp”. We had 5 days of non-stop intermediate ice routes, beginning with a warm-up day in Haffner Creek, followed by ascents of classic routes Moonlight, Snowline, Murchison Falls, Louise Falls, Coire Dubh Intégrale and the Weeping Wall.
For some of us from Ontario, this was our first opportunity to experience the variety and multitude of Rockies ice, especially beautiful multi-pitch classic routes.
As always, Barry Blanchard, our uber guide, professionally and skillfully chose appropriate routes, matched guides with the right mix on the rope and impressed us with his outstanding guiding skills.
Having “ticked” these classics, we will be back in 2013 to add to our list! Many many thanks to Barry and Matt Mueller for a tremendously rewarding and fun time. As Alex Perel was heard to say, “Could this possibly have been the best ice camp ever?”
Margaret Imai-Compton
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