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11,171 ft · Winston Churchill Range, Alberta

Mount Woolley

Mount Woolley is an 11,171 ft peak in the Winston Churchill Range, Alberta. The standard route is the Normal Route via Woolley-Diadem Col: 13 mi, 6,378 ft of gain, Class 3.

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Mount Woolley in the Winston Churchill Range, Alberta

Mount Woolley at a glance

  • Elevation11,171 ft3,404 m
  • RouteNormal Route via Woolley-Diadem ColClass 3
  • Distance13 mi6,378 ft gain
  • Time2 – 3 daysVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeWinston Churchill RangeAlberta

Climbing the Normal Route via Woolley-Diadem Col

Drive the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) to the roadside start 12.5 km north of the Columbia Icefield Centre. Ford the braided Sunwapta River (knee to thigh deep in summer) and follow a cairned climbers' trail up Woolley Creek to camp by the tarn below the peaks. Climb snow couloirs and a crevassed glacier to the Woolley-Diadem col, then the north ridge (Class 3, AD-/AD). Cross the lower glacier fast under calving seracs. Most climb Diadem Peak the same day, 2-3 days total. A Parks Canada pass is required, plus a Parks Canada wilderness pass for the Mt. Alberta random camping area (one group per day).

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

  • Stream crossing
  • Serac fall
  • Crevasses
  • Cornices
  • Loose rock

Quests with Mount Woolley

Peaks near Mount Woolley

  1. Diadem Peak

    Diadem Peak

    11,060 ft · 1.0 mi away

  2. Mount Alberta

    Mount Alberta

    11,873 ft · 2.2 mi away

  3. Stutfield East

    Stutfield East

    11,227 ft · 3.5 mi away

  4. Stutfield Peak

    Stutfield Peak

    11,348 ft · 4.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Woolley?

Mount Woolley is 11,171 feet (3,404 m) tall. It is in the Winston Churchill Range, Alberta.

How does Mount Woolley rank among the Canadian Rockies 11,000ers?

At 11,171 feet, Mount Woolley is the 36th highest of the 54 Canadian Rockies 11,000ers. The highest is Mount Robson.

How hard is it to climb Mount Woolley?

The Normal Route via Woolley-Diadem Col 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: 13 miles with 6,378 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Mount Woolley?

Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the Normal Route via Woolley-Diadem Col, with at least one night on the mountain.

Is Mount Woolley 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 helmet for Mount Woolley?

It is a good idea. Loose rock and rockfall are common on the Normal Route via Woolley-Diadem Col, so a helmet is on the gear list.

When is the best time to climb Mount Woolley?

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 Mount Woolley 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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