Planter's Valley, South Ghost Ice Climbs

Lat/Lon: 51.25056°N / 115.19583°W - Click for Satellite Image
Planter’s Valley is a scenic, but long approach canyon on the south side of Devil’s
Gap in the Ghost River Wilderness Area (The Ghost). Devil’s Gap is the most
accessible and thus one of the more popular waterfall ice climbing locations
adjacent to the Ghost. The Ghost was established in 1967 on the front range of the
Canadian Rockies and consists of 15,317ha (60 square miles) of raw wilderness
bordering Banff National Park to the east and north. Its mountains include Mounts
Aylmer, Apparition, Oliver and Costigan. The Ghost Valley actually entails a larger
area that is more specifically located approximately 30kms north of Canmore along
the eastern border of Banff National Park and east of the Palliser Mountain Range.
The Ghost’s glacier carved valleys provide for steep water runoff creating some of the
best waterfall ice climbing in Canada. Much of this terrain is considered less
avalanche prone than most ice routes in Kananaskis and routes deeper into the
national parks. Although Devil’s Gap is not technically in The Ghost (most of the
climbs are in Banff National Park), this whole area of provincial wilderness takes on
that identity.

Ghost Valley is discussed as the South Ghost and North Ghost relative to climbing.
The South Ghost is divided into several different areas when discussing waterfall
ice: Orient Point, Devil’s Gap, Planter’s Valley, Constellation Valley, Black Rock
Mountain and Johnson Creek.

Route Description(s)
The rated waterfall climbs in Planter’s Valley, meaning those specifically mentioned
in Joe Josephson’s “Waterfall Ice, Climbs in the Canadian Rockies” are listed in
order as you approach them:

Anorexia Nervosa, III, WI 4R- 130m (photo) (climbers left)

Weathering Heights, III, WI 4- 100m (photo) (climbers right)

The Peanut Gallery, III, WI 4- The Peanut Gallery consists of the rest of
the ice climbing at the end of the canyon in Planter’s Valley. As some of these
various ice formations are further developed into routes, I imagine several will
be separately named. There is quite a bit of mixed back here as well. The
most common curtains and the ice I have climbed, are no doubt the first two
curtains you come to at the end of the canyon. The first pitch is at the steep
and narrow walls that clearly box in Planter’s Valley. This is an easy WI 3
undulating full pitch. Most divide it into two pitches, but we simul-climbed it
enough to turn it into one pitch. As you continue south, within 10 minutes you
will run into another pitch that is a classic WI 4 shorter pitch of sustained
vertical, but often wet, curtain. You can keep going for more WI 4 to your left or
some mixed climbing to your right. As of 2007, this is all considered part of
the Peanut Galley.

Getting There
From Calgary or Canmore, access 1A which parallels the TransCanada to the north.
13.4kms west of the Hwy 22 junction in Cochrane is the Forestry Trunk Road (Route
940). Turn north on the Forestry Trunk Road for 23kms to a gated gravel road on your
left. There is a trail head information kiosk board here, but no obvious sign. If you
find the gate closed, it is imperative that you close the gate behind you. Most
climbers only take 4-wheel drive vehicles beyond this point, but depending on
conditions, other vehicles can travel the road. This rough road goes for another
17kms until it reaches the “big hill”. Along the way there is one ice/water crossing. If
this hill is muddy or icy or has too much snow, it can be extremely difficult to
navigate. Orient Point’s “The Real Big Drip- 200m- V, M7+, WI 7” can be viewed to the
southwest from atop this hill. This is a remote area and very little exists in the way of
facilities or emergency help.

Joe Josephson’s guide book, Waterfall Ice, Climbs in the Canadian Rockies- 4th
edition, references turning left at the bottom of the “Big Hill” as you enter the Ghost
River bottom. Present day (2007) you should turn right. Drive a short distance along
the gravel bank before you come across a cairn and then descend the bank into the
gravel wash. Follow the streambed to the east side of the dike and turn left and
follow the dike for a short distance into some trees and cross to the west side
heading for Devil’s Gap. The Banff National Park Boundary is well marked and you
are not allowed to drive across it. Most of the ice in Devil’s Gap can be accessed
from this boundary spot. In the winter the Ghost Lakes are mostly dry icy mud flats
that blow a ton of dust through Devil’s Gap. There are plentiful whitetail and mule
deer en route to this area.

Red Tape
The important aspect of the Ghost regarding safety is that you are on your own. You
are not always within the boundary of the National Parks and access can be difficult
and long for rescue personnel. I highly advise you take a Satellite Phone (for
communication with loved ones who might worry if you get stuck) and always be
prepared to spend the evening (read sleeping bag, shovel, etc).

There are no permit requirements to enter, climb and/or park in Alberta’s Provincial
Parks. Cougars and Grizzlies can be more common place in the Ghost than the
national parks due to its location on the front range. Take bear spray during non-
hibernation months. This can be avalanche terrain during the winter. Therefore it
would be prudent to check recent notices posted on the Canadian Avalanche
Association’s website regarding that issue. However, the ice climbs in the Ghost are
considered less avalanche prone than most routes throughout the National Parks
and Kananaskis. The frequent Chinooks keep snow levels typically manageable in
the Ghost.

Camping
There are no official campsites in the Ghost. Random backcountry camping is
allowed, but open fires are prohibited in the Ghost River Wilderness Area. However,
it appears that camp fires are tolerated or even allowed in the Ghost River Valley
around Devil’s Gap. More camping information can be found at this site.

When to Climb
Waterfall ice climbing is typically a winter sport; however, I have explored the Ghost in
the summer and found climbable ice still in place.

Mountain Conditions
The Kananaskis Provincial Park website is a very thorough park website, including
trail conditions or closures, wildlife notices, weather conditions, avalanche
conditions, camping permits, whitewater conditions, etc. It is an excellent source if
you are going to spend any time in the Ghost or surrounding area. Outside of the
parks web sites, Canadian Avalanche Association is also useful, particularly for
winter travel. Canadian Alpine Accident Reports are also extremely useful.