Quebec mountaineer François-Guy Thivierge began the challenge of his life in August 2019: to climb 55 mountains in 55 months to celebrate his 55th birthday. On a regular basis, Le Journal presents a mountain he has climbed as part of this project.
An enchanting setting, a superb frozen lake, skating, picturesque walking trails and, of course, a beautiful ice wall to climb... Nothing better to get into the holiday spirit than the Louise Falls sector , in Banff National Park, where mountaineer François-Guy Thivierge felt like he was at Santa Claus during his 55 mountains in 55 months challenge.
Louise Falls is an icy waterfall located near the renowned Château Lake Louise hotel in Alberta.
If several trips in the mountains of the adventurer of Quebec come to give chills and freeze the blood, this one falls into another category.
“It’s like our Montmorency Falls in Alberta. I had never climbed it and it is a must. It is located in an extremely touristic place, in the middle of the Canadian Rockies, in Lake Louise, ”says Thivierge with the wonder of a kid at the foot of the tree.
“It’s not like other elite lanes. This waterfall deserves its place in my list for its setting, beauty and accessibility. It's difficult, without being extreme. »
“It can't always be a spine-chilling mountain. It’s also fun to climb popular routes,” he adds about the ice route rated from 4 to 5 in degree of difficulty, on a scale of 1 to 7.
A beautiful view
For the occasion, Thivierge reunited with an old friend, Pascal Gignac, who had worked with him at his climbing school when he started out, before heading to Western Canada.
Unlike other hazardous expeditions where the approach to the mountain is a challenge in itself, the two climbers only took half an hour to reach the wall.
"It's blue and it's beautiful. The water in Quebec is more coppery, while there it is more turquoise. It gives a spectacular image,” notes the nature lover.
Of course, as an avid mountaineer, François-Guy Thivierge has already experienced his share of more intense challenges, but this popular stunt still led him to work on the technical level. The effort was worth it.
“The last section is more vertical. It is difficult for the forearms. You are hung like a cat in a curtain with its claws, ”he images.
“When you turn around and look down, you see the lake and Chateau Lake Louise. It is magic ! You almost think you're climbing Santa's Ice Palace. It's really magical, it's winter at its best with the joys of snow and ice, "he salivates, thinking back to these moments.
Not for claustrophobes!
In the last section of the course of about 120 m that Thivierge and his sidekick climbed in four hours, a passage inside a crevasse in the ice is necessary and grandiose.
“Your heart starts beating faster all of a sudden. There is a vertical passage with a hole in the ice. You have to go inside. You don't have to be claustrophobic! It's like an ice wardrobe to complete the wall. This is the most difficult part and it is unique as a way of doing it. Coming out of the hole, you feel a great feeling of joy,” he explains.
To discover
In his crazy project to climb 55 mountains in 55 months, Thivierge touches on all types of mountains or walls. The Louise Falls waterfall is one he has no hesitation in recommending to climbers who do not have his vast background, even if he implores to remain vigilant.
“The main challenge is security. You have to be careful, no matter how difficult it is. It heats the calves at times! You have to move often and find places to rest. With ice axes in your hands, you have to find a way to install ice screws while climbing.
“There are more people in the summer for the parks and hikes. In winter, it is a destination that deserves to be known. The climate is drier and less cold than here. It's a great season to see the Rockies. In this sector, other ice routes can also be explored, such as the Malignant Mushroom and Pilsner Pillar.
Mountain
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