Fortitude Ride, Rogers Pass BC


Given the Avy conditions we decided to drive to Rogers Pass for a good day in the trees. We left Calgary at 5:00am, roads were a bit icy from Canmore to LL, but better from there to Rogers. Arrived to the parking lot and as we started crossing the road a group of 5 were coming back, they said they weren’t able to get across the Illicillewaet River in the usual spot under the train tracks… We decided to check out for ourselves, and sure enough it wasn’t passable.. We went further south trying to find a spot, but the river was quite open.. We were determined and at -15c decided to take the boots and socks off and wade the river. It was cold, and after 10mts of crossing on slippery rocks my toes were numbed !! we started moving quickly and after about 20min I was able to feel my toes again ::--)

The climb is 1,000mts vertical ! and with only the two of us, breaking trail was a steady work.. Got to the top of the Fortitude Ridge and the quality of the snow was spectacular to say the least, deep and soft. We did the first run of 400mts vertical and the snow pack felt amazing, so it was time to put the skins back on and climb one more time. This time we took a more direct route, and 40 minutes later we were at the top again. This time we ski all the wat to the Flat Creek (about 1,000mts vertical), amazing conditions and spectacular terrain on the trees, safe from Avy terrain.

Once down and after some 3-4 kms of trail finding to had to cross the river again.. This time we crossed it right under the train tracks, shorter but deeper. Headed to the car and began the drive back to Calgary… Long day, totally worth it.


















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