One of the highest concentrations of ice climbs in the Canadian Rockies, this great area deserves alot more attention than it gets. Most of these climbs form fairly early in the year, but beware that the Yoho River must be crossed to reach the routes, and this will not be safe until it is well frozen.
Includes ice climbs along the Yoho Valley Road (AKA Takakkaw Falls Road) from the winter parking area to Takakkaw Falls. The parking lot is located down a short road just East of Field along the Trans Canada Highway, and is well signed.
Routes listed in the order they are encountered along the road. Note that more routes are visible from the road, but they are generally in massive avalanche paths and/or are of low quality.
- Silk Tassle (III, WI4, 60m): Above the parking lot.
- The Pillars (III, WI4, 50m), Field of Dreams (III, WI5, 75m), & Betty’s Pillar (III, WI5, 50m) The first major collection of routes encountered about 45 minutes along the road.
- L’Arimas de Alegria (III, WI5+, 60m): A few minutes past The Pillars, just across the river.
- Iron Curtain (IV, WI6, 85m): Up high after about an hour along the road.
- Grovelling Gully (III, WI3, 90m): The left edge of Iron Curtain.
- Peristroika (III, WI4+, 50m): Thirty meters right of Iron Curtain.
- Footloose & Fancy Free area (III, WI2-3, 30-60m): About an hour along the road.
- The Far Side area (III, WI4-5+, 150m): Various climbs about 1.5hrs along the road.
