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Complete traverse of Suspension Ridge and Mount Colonel Foster.
35 km with 3,500 m of elevation gain over ¾ days.
Multiple knife-edge ridge sections and airy scrambling.
Technical climbing up to 5.7 and numerous rappels.
Bivy high on the ridge with incredible sunrise and sunset views.
Stunning approach through the old-growth forests of the Elk River Trail.
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Difficulty: Advanced; climbing up to 5.7, exposed scrambling, and glacier travel.
Duration: 3/4 Days / 2 /3 Nights.
Approach: Elk River Trail to Landslide Lake, then to base of Suspension Ridge.
Season: July – October.
Group Size: Maximum 1 or 2 participants per guide.
Price: 1 Participant $2900.
2 participants $2000 per climber.
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Day 1 – Approach to Base Camp
11 km hike along the shaded Elk River Trail to Landslide Lake.
Climb to a high camp with stunning views of Colonel Foster at the base of Suspension Ridge.
Day 2 – Suspension Ridge to Slocomb’s Rise & South Col of Colonel Foster
Technical ridge climbing with 3 distinct notches (up to 5.7).
Pass Northbridge Tower, traverse the graceful Suspension Ridge arc, summit Slocomb’s Rise.
Enter Colonel Foster via the South Col.
Climb South Gullies to Southeast Peak, traverse knife-edge to South Peak.
Multiple rappels past granite dyke and Gendarme; final 5.6 pitch to bivy site.
Day 3 – Double Pinnacle to Main Summit & Descent
Knife-edge traverse to Double Pinnacle, climbing and rappelling along the way.
Final pitch to main summit of Colonel Foster.
Descend via Northeast Peak and Northwest Peak (optional North Tower summit).
Exit via Evacuation Gully to Foster Lake and return along Elk River Trail.
If this trip is a group of 3 we extend the trip 2 4 days due to the complexities of the traverse with 3 people
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ncluded:
ACMG-certified guide.
Group technical climbing gear (ropes, protection, anchor material).
Trip planning, permits, and safety equipment.
Not Included:
Personal climbing gear (helmet, harness, rock shoes, ice axe, crampons).
Food and personal camping gear.
Transportation to/from trailhead.
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This trip is for experienced climbers with excellent fitness and comfort on exposed alpine terrain. You must be able to:
Climb confidently at 5.7 in mountain boots or be happy to carry climbing shoes.
Carry a multi-day pack for long, steep days.
Move efficiently on mixed terrain including snow, rock, and loose ridge lines.
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Mountaineering boots/approach shoes
Harness, helmet, belay device, locking carabiners
Rock shoes (optional but recommended for harder pitches)
Ice axe
Overnight camping gear (Lightweight bivy gear)
Weather-appropriate clothing layers
Gloves for climbing and belaying
Personal food and water storage
Closing Summary
The Epic Temple Traverse is one of the most committing and rewarding alpine adventures on Vancouver Island. Combining two legendary ridge lines into a single 3/4 day push, it’s a test of skill, endurance, and mountain spirit and a guaranteed trip of a lifetime for those ready to take it on