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Elevation: 5,000 ft 1,524 m
GPS: 51.4078, -116.2405
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 179,169 total · 1,110/month
Shared By: Euan Cameron on Jul 31, 2011
Admins: Dave Rone, Tom Jones, Richard Rose, Rhys Beaudry

Description Suggest change

The gem of the area. From a distance the quartzite buttresses tend to get lost within the grandure of the surroundings, however don't let that fool you. Take the time to wander the trail along the shores of Lake Louise and you will be met with exceptionally good climbing, and more often than not friendly locals willing to show you some of the classics.

The climbs are generally vertical to gently overhanging and there is a good mixture of sport and trad routes so all comers should be happy.

Many of the routes are climbable in the summer even when there is a light rain, however, depending on the amount of chalk some do feel a little slimy.

Getting There Suggest change

Park up in the parking lot just before the Chateau (make sure you have a National Park Pass). From there follow everyone else as they head around the lake trail.

At the far end of the lake the buttresses come in to full view. Pick your buttress and start to climb.

103 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The Back of The Lake Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Back of The Lake

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 22
Exquisite Corpse
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 30
Imaginary Face
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 103
Public Enemy
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 80
Turtle Mountain
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 18
The Search
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 157
Wicked Gravity
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 60
Mardi Gras
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 47
Chocolate Bunnies from Hell
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 29
Mr. Rogers Smokes a Fat One
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 18
Back in the Saddle
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 38
DEW line
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 20
Liquid Sky
Sport
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 9
Venom
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 19
Colloidal Impact
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 7
Female Hands
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Exquisite Corpse Air Voyage
 22
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Imaginary Face Amphitheater
 30
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Public Enemy Outhouse Wall
 103
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Turtle Mountain Outhouse Wall
 80
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
The Search Liquid Sky
 18
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Wicked Gravity Outhouse Wall
 157
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Mardi Gras Outhouse Wall
 60
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Chocolate Bunnies from Hell Outhouse Wall
 47
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Mr. Rogers Smokes a Fat One Air Voyage
 29
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Back in the Saddle Outhouse Wall
 18
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
DEW line Air Voyage
 38
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Liquid Sky Liquid Sky
 20
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Venom Outhouse Wall
 9
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Sport
Colloidal Impact Outhouse Wall
 19
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Female Hands Outhouse Wall
 7
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Back of The Lake »

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