Wasootch Slabs

Second day out climbing with Joe & Frank on Saturday and with the relatively tropical forecast and still a little tired from our day on the ice previously we decided to head to the Wasootch Slabs in K-country for some early season rock climbing, about 40 minutes from my apartment in the NW.

Frank leading Orange Arete, 5.8.

Like most of the front ranges of the Rockies in Alberta the rock in carboniferous in nature, that which makes up the slabs is limestone, its south facing so even on cool days in gets the sun and the rock warms in the afternoon. The climbing is mostly sport but there are a handful of traditional routes, originally there would of been more but it appears that the locals have got a little more aggressive in their bolting of lines that could be done clean. Anyhow, theres enough for either type of climber to go out for a day.

Looking out to the Kananakis Valley, below G slab.

We were some of the first people there in the morning but by the afternoon there were probably upwards of 20 people, so its popular crag! We climbed quite a few single pitch routes, keeping things easy in the 5.6-5.9 range including a devious route that managed to get 60m of 5.6/7 climbing over 3 pitches. Its a lovely venues, especially for beginners or for some early season practice. I imagine the seasoned sport climber or anybody pushing the grades could find it a little limiting but I could certainly spend a few days or evening there.

I was using the 'Sport Climbs in the Canadian Rockies' guide by John Martin and Jon James. I do find it great the face you can be ice-climbing one day, rock climbing the next and skiing the day after out here!