Curtain Call, Polar Circus, Weeping Wall…Patricia Street?
One of these Rocky Mountain ice climbing classics is not like the other. However, thanks to the creative minds at Rockaboo Mountain Adventures and with support from Travel Alberta, ice climbing is rising up in downtown Jasper.
Ahead of its grand opening this January 17, and under a half moon, this past Friday night a handful of local hardcores were checking out Jasper’s coolest new attraction: the Jasper Ice Wall.
Visitors and residents may have wondered what seven stories of scaffolding was doing in Jasper’s Central Business District. As they’ve likely discovered since it was erected several weeks ago, it’s not a new wildfire lookout tower, but rather a 50-foot foundation for frozen fun—a one-of-a-kind, artificial ice sculpture that its builders hope will create interest in Jasper’s downtown this winter.
“Now you can have the thrill of ice climbing in a safe, fun, environment that’s accessible for all levels,” says Lisa Darrah, co-owner and director of marketing for Rockaboo Mountain Adventures.
And with the mercury forecast to drop well below zero, Rockaboo’s Director of Operations, ACMG-certified Max Darrah, is anticipating the ice wall will soon be in full bloom.
“I would love to fill this in,” Darrah said, pointing to a thin curtain of ice that, a week ago, was just burlap sacks zap-strapped to the scaffolding. “I’m hoping the next cold snap we’ll be 3D-printing ice.”
Friday, January 10 saw a handful of local climbers trying the ice wall for the first time. Well-known Jasper alpinist Dana Ruddy gave his blessing to the project, suggesting the wall’s main feature was not unlike another pumpy pitch on the Icefields Parkway: the second ice curtain on Shades of Beauty.
“This one might be a body length or two longer,” Ruddy figured. “It’s super fun.”
The wall’s 15-metre height is the international standard required to host the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup, Darrah said.
As the ice builds out from their strategic irrigation, Darrah says his team will be able to make other pitches on the wall less aggressive. That’ll equate to more novice ice climbers being able to give the Ice Wall a go.
“The quality of the ice is really good. There’s no easier way to get acquainted with climbing,” he said.
Jasper’s Laurent Bolduc is no stranger to steep ice. But the veteran climber can’t always get down the Parkway to swing his axes. And since the Jasper Wildfire eliminated Maligne Canyon as a nearby training ground, Bolduc’s roommates gifted him a winter-long membership to the Ice Wall. On Friday he was already putting it to good use.
“He’s like a kid in a candy shop up there,” his belay partner said as ice chips rained down.
The ice wall caters to all experience levels, from beginners seeking a new challenge to veteran climbers looking to get some practice laps.
“Hopefully it has something interesting to offer any level of climber,” Darrah said.
Check out Rockaboo Mountain Adventures for details on available experiences and pricing.
Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
