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11,900 ft · Winston Churchill Range, Alberta

Twins Tower

Twins Tower is an 11,900 ft peak in the Winston Churchill Range, Alberta. The standard route is the South Ridge: 26 mi, 8,202 ft of gain, Class 3.

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Twins Tower in the Winston Churchill Range, Alberta

Twins Tower at a glance

  • Elevation11,900 ft3,627 m
  • RouteSouth RidgeClass 3
  • Distance26 mi8,202 ft gain
  • Time3 – 4 daysVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeWinston Churchill RangeAlberta

Climbing the South Ridge

From Jasper or Lake Louise, take the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) to the Toe of the Glacier lot by the Columbia Icefield Centre. Ski the Athabasca Glacier past its icefalls and Snow Dome seracs to camp near the Twins-Stutfield col. Climb North Twin, then descend its north side through big crevasses and bergschrunds to the col. The South Ridge is an exposed snow arete to about 45 degrees (Class 3) with no room for a slip. Downclimb facing in and reclimb North Twin to return. Plan 3-4 days in April-May. A Parks Canada pass and a Parks Canada wilderness pass (Icefields random camping, by phone) are required.

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
  • Ice Axe
  • Helmet

What to watch for

  • Knife-edge ridge
  • Steep exposure
  • Crevasses
  • Cornices
  • Remote location

Quests with Twins Tower

Peaks near Twins Tower

  1. North Twin

    North Twin

    12,087 ft · 0.8 mi away

  2. Stutfield Peak

    Stutfield Peak

    11,348 ft · 1.9 mi away

  3. South Twin

    South Twin

    11,699 ft · 1.9 mi away

  4. Stutfield East

    Stutfield East

    11,227 ft · 3.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Twins Tower?

Twins Tower is 11,900 feet (3,627 m) tall. It is in the Winston Churchill Range, Alberta.

How does Twins Tower rank among the Canadian Rockies 11,000ers?

At 11,900 feet, Twins Tower is the 5th highest of the 54 Canadian Rockies 11,000ers. The highest is Mount Robson.

How hard is it to climb Twins Tower?

The South Ridge 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: 26 miles with 8,202 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Twins Tower?

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

Is Twins Tower dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and exposed sections where a fall would be serious. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.

Do you need an ice axe for Twins Tower?

Plan on it. An ice axe is on the gear list for the South Ridge for the snow and ice on the upper mountain. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.

When is the best time to climb Twins Tower?

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 Twins Tower 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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