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11,148 ft · Park Ranges, Alberta/British Columbia

Christian Peak

Christian Peak is an 11,148 ft peak in the Park Ranges, Alberta/British Columbia. The standard route is the Southeast Face: 18 mi, 8,530 ft of gain, Class 3.

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Christian Peak in the Park Ranges, Alberta/British Columbia

Christian Peak at a glance

  • Elevation11,148 ft3,397 m
  • RouteSoutheast FaceClass 3
  • Distance18 mi8,530 ft gain
  • Time3 – 4 daysVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangePark RangesAlberta/British Columbia

Climbing the Southeast Face

From Golden, take Hwy 1 west to Donald, then the Bush River and Valenciennes forest roads to the Icefall Brook trailhead (high-clearance 4WD; washouts may add a long bike). A 12 km highline route climbs about 2,000 m to the Lyell Hut. Christian (Lyell 5) crosses its west shoulder to the southeast face: glacier travel and steep snow to the top (class 3, grade II). Expect crevasses and a bergschrund that can be a problem late in the season, far from help. Rope up with crevasse rescue gear. Book a Lyell Hut reservation with Icefall Lodge.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (55–75 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy
  • Helmet

What to watch for

  • Glacier travel
  • Crevasses
  • Snow near summit
  • Remote location
  • Complex logistics

Quests with Christian Peak

Peaks near Christian Peak

  1. Walter Peak

    Walter Peak

    11,158 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Mount Lyell

    Mount Lyell

    11,476 ft · 0.9 mi away

  3. Mount Forbes

    Mount Forbes

    11,850 ft · 9.2 mi away

  4. Mount Bryce

    Mount Bryce

    11,506 ft · 11.9 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Christian Peak?

Christian Peak is 11,148 feet (3,397 m) tall. It is in the Park Ranges, Alberta/British Columbia. It is also known as Lyell 5.

How does Christian Peak rank among the Canadian Rockies 11,000ers?

At 11,148 feet, Christian Peak is the 39th highest of the 54 Canadian Rockies 11,000ers. The highest is Mount Robson.

How hard is it to climb Christian Peak?

The Southeast Face is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 18 miles with 8,530 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Christian Peak?

Most climbers plan 3 – 4 days for the Southeast Face, with at least one night on the mountain.

Is Christian Peak dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: crevasses on the glacier. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.

Do you need a helmet for Christian Peak?

It is a good idea. The scrambling has rock overhead on the Southeast Face, so a helmet is on the gear list.

When is the best time to climb Christian Peak?

The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Christian Peak with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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