EXHAUSTION, EXCEEDING ABILITIES

Alberta, Banff National Park, Mount Temple, East Ridge

On August 10, a party of three was reported overdue to Warden Service dispatch. They had been about 30 hours on this alpine grade IV, 5.7 route when they were located at the start of the gullies that lead to the summit icecap. A Warden Service rescue crew was dropped off on the ridge and determined that the climbers were okay but exhausted and requesting evacuation. They were evacuated by heli-sling.

Analysis

The party underestimated the route finding and commitment factor on this moderately difficult alpine route. (Source: Parks Canada Warden Service)