STRANDED, EXCEEDING ABILITIES

Alberta, Banff National Park, Mount Lefroy, Lemire Route

After 32 hours on this alpine grade IV, 5.7 route a party of two was reported overdue to Warden Service dispatch. They were located near the top of a rock buttress below the summit ridge and evacuated by heli-sling at their request.

Analysis

This is a seldom-climbed route with only cursory route information available. The party encountered difficult route finding, poor rock quality, and difficult climbing. On such alpine routes, guidebook gradings cannot always be taken at face value. (Source: Parks Canada Warden Service)