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11,457 ft · Bow Range, Alberta/British Columbia

Hungabee Mountain

Hungabee Mountain is an 11,457 ft peak in the Bow Range, Alberta/British Columbia. The standard route is the West Ridge: 6 mi, 4,817 ft of gain, Class 5.

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Hungabee Mountain in the Bow Range, Alberta/British Columbia

Hungabee Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation11,457 ft3,492 m
  • RouteWest RidgeClass 5
  • Distance6 mi4,817 ft gain
  • Time9 – 11 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeBow RangeAlberta/British Columbia

Climbing the West Ridge

From Lake Louise, drive west on Highway 1 to the Lake O'Hara parking lot and ride the bus 11 km to Lake O'Hara. Hike the East Opabin trail to Opabin Lake, then cross the small, crevassed Opabin Glacier to Opabin Pass. The West Ridge (III, 5.4) climbs loose ledges and a solid fifth-class rib beside the dying northwest glacier, then long scree traverses to a black shale band below the summit. Route-finding is tricky, rockfall is constant, and early-summer snow on the northwest face is an avalanche risk. Many parties bivy at the pass with a Parks Canada backcountry permit. A Lake O'Hara bus reservation and a Parks Canada pass are required.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (35–55 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
  • Harness
  • Rope
  • Belay Device
  • Carabiners

What to watch for

  • Loose rock
  • Rockfall
  • Route-finding difficulty
  • Avalanches
  • Glacier travel

Quests with Hungabee Mountain

Peaks near Hungabee Mountain

  1. Mount Lefroy

    Mount Lefroy

    11,230 ft · 2.1 mi away

  2. Deltaform Mountain

    Deltaform Mountain

    11,240 ft · 2.7 mi away

  3. Mount Huber

    Mount Huber

    10,984 ft · 2.8 mi away

  4. Mount Victoria

    Mount Victoria

    11,365 ft · 3.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Hungabee Mountain?

Hungabee Mountain is 11,457 feet (3,492 m) tall. It is in the Bow Range, Alberta/British Columbia. It is also known as Mount Hungabee.

How does Hungabee Mountain rank among the Canadian Rockies 11,000ers?

At 11,457 feet, Hungabee Mountain is the 16th highest of the 54 Canadian Rockies 11,000ers. The highest is Mount Robson.

How hard is it to climb Hungabee Mountain?

The West Ridge is Class 5, which means technical climbing with a rope and protection. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 6 miles with 4,817 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to climb Hungabee Mountain?

Most people take 9 – 11 hours round trip on the West Ridge, covering 6 miles with 4,817 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Is Hungabee Mountain dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and rockfall from loose rock. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.

Do you need a rope to climb Hungabee Mountain?

Most parties bring one. The West Ridge is Class 5, and the gear list includes a rope, harness and belay device.

When is the best time to climb Hungabee Mountain?

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 Hungabee Mountain 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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