Attempting the Most Dangerous Hike in the Rockies... Mt Yamnuska

[@Andy-Mesa]

People always seem scared about chained sections. That’s the part I’m least scared about. It’s the unchained sections that scare me.

[@charltor6]

Did Yamnuska a week and a half ago. The chain section is definitely a butt tightener. I skipped the scree slope and took the new Western Col trail, a fairly normal hiking trail, down to the valley bottom. I was also using trekking poles to steady myself on the slippery downhill sections and was wearing a climbing helmet as there’s a lot of exposure to rockfall risk. All in all, a fun day. Thanks for the video tour. Like the camera.

[@larsvongraff5794]

Watching this I was thinking the exact same thing. Even a 1 inch size small rock falling from overhead that connects with your head hurts like heck. If sharp edged can do some damage.

[@Mushtaq741]

This looks a lot more challenging with the camera you have. I’ve done this hike and yes I agree it is challenging, but I don’t think it is near the most dangerous in Alberta. With that being said thnx for the vlog, brings back memories for me

[@JustinOutdoors]

It's the most dangerous in the sense that has seen a lot of injuries, rescues, and deaths. Mostly due to people doing the hike that shouldn't be or aren't prepared. I agree it's not overly difficult and probably wouldn't be as dangerous if it was more remote.

[@cathye.9659]

Great work Justin. Important information about hiking Yamnuska.

[@wildeone1636]

I'm glad you're able to work with your fear of heights. That actually looked like fun🙂

[@berryrohseberryrohse8392]

Your hiking videos are inspiring. Stay safe! Thank you.

[@JustinOutdoors]

Thanks Berry! I appreciate it so much!

[@woodchip2782]

Hmmm… going up is okay because I’m looking up… it’s going down that’s the toughest.😮

[@seanschannel6786]

Haha! Great video ... Northover Ridge flashbacks are real.

[@victorkonstantin]

This looks pretty epic. We have lots of hikes like this in BC. Actually called scrambles. Scrambling is the bridge between hiking and mountaineering. This seems like a class 3 scramble, so it's more on the mountaineering side rather than hiking which stops at a class 2 terrain. I would probably use approach shoes because they are good for smearing or edging and are actually made for scrambling and climbing. Also a helmet is highly recommended on those kind of scrambles. A tiny rock that could possibly fall on your head can produce a severe laceration to the scalp. Also the risk of thunder storms in the afternoon is quite substantial. In the Colorado Mountains there is a rule to get off the summit before afternoon. Other than that scrambling is a fun activity but not to be confused with hiking.

[@danielsingh9415]

Would u rope into the chain with ur harness, alternating at each...idk what the word is, connection point? So "when" a little rock boinks ur head or fear overwhelms u & u misstep, u can still self rescue & not die?

[@danielsingh9415]

Anchor point.

[@danielsingh9415]

I've had some rock climbing experience in my youth, but not since brain 🧠 surgery, idk if I can trust my body to perform under those circumstances, I'm no spring chicken, but I'm not quitting yet😂😝

[@victorkonstantin]

@@danielsingh9415 Look at some mountaineering videos. There is a big difference between hiking and mountaineering. Helmets are used by mountaineers and also by people who scramble. And yes the helmet can save your life. It is up to each individual how many safety measures they want to take and how much risk they want to get exposed to without much safety. Personal choice.

[@victorkonstantin]

@@danielsingh9415 There is not much room for error in scrambling or climbing. I know people who were scrambling and had rocks knocked over their heads by others climbing above them. Or even strong wind gusts can send rocks flying from above. I personally had close calls with rock fall and Icefall near the terminus of a glacier. But of course it is always up to people to decide how safe they want to make their outdoors adventures. Glad you are doing better by the way.

[@tonyc2570]

Looks like a great hike with great views! Thank you for sharing.

[@North-of-the-49th]

R E S P E C T. Justin, u r brave! Thank you for this, but I'll just have to be happy watching you on KZbin. W O W.....😮

[@ManivanAdventures]

Wow, this looks so awesome!!!

[@TheNypenfan]

Yeah. There must be different levels of “fear of heights” because mine would’ve stopped me from even getting to those chains.

[@wolfeadventures]

Love these type of videos.

[@adventurousbec]

I've missed your hiking videos!! Having done this trail twice (the first time being that a person I was with became too scared at the chains), yes the chains have danger. BUT it's where you put our mind over matter and one foot over the next watching where you step.

[@JustinOutdoors]

What do you mean?! 4 of my last 7 videos have been trip videos!

[@adventurousbec]

​@@JustinOutdoors which videos? Have I missed something? When I first commented and looking 3-Days Backpacking in the Remote Canadian Rockies and How-To Survive in the Wild With Minimalist Gear I noticed appeared so. Unless your other gear-focused videos were filmed on a trip? I'm not complaining, only expressing that I enjoy the hiking focus.

[@mollyseaton8107]

Thanks to you and your videos, it's helped me traverse through BC and AB on foot and canoe. Your content is hard to come by, especially by this quality. Wish I could only try to do what you excel in. Cheers Justin

[@rachell8661]

This is more of a scramble than a hike. Absolutely breathtaking views, though incredibly scary at times. I am so afraid of heights and was able to push through and get the hike done in 5 hours total. I had a couple moments of panic scrambling the ridges toward the peak. At the peak I had an asthma attack and just wanted to get down lol! Proud of myself for doing it though.

[@sublimehoneybee]

Thanks for the video! You are really great with capturing the epicness of the environment! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@jefflibbey]

Thank-you for doing this hike so I don't have to! :-) I'm not sure how I'd do on that chain section...

[@JustinOutdoors]

Probably great!

[@user-ou7fu9qm7n]

Great video on a challenging hike. I did the hike back in 2019 and didn't know it was closed and a trail added to avoid the scree. That's good news. I found the scree way more scary than the chains and I'm scared of heights!

[@denismoreau3646]

Scary hike not something I’m into but what was in you pack. 😊

[@RAINSMAN79]

Lived my whole life in coastal flat lands, that video gave me anxiety just watching it.

[@cidifede1]

Nice music choices for the dramatic scenes. Cool video! Be safe out there Justin.

[@chrismoore600]

In my younger days I'd be all over this but now no way. Thanks for the adventure.

[@HarlanFox--Scrambles]

Nice video Justin! I have done this one several times. Love the 360 degree video.

[@sarahh1099]

Really enjoy your hiking videos and wish you would do more of them. Lately your channel has been more gear oriented which is also great but have been really missing videos like this. 😊

[@JustinOutdoors]

Four of my last 7 videos have been trips!

[@TheCanadianXplorer]

Always good content Justin ! Loved that video. I would love doing that trip.

[@davidmowser4830]

Sorry to say but don't know what all the hype is about Yamnuska being SOOO SCARY. It was such a fun & exhilarating hike, the chain section, yes if you're squeamish about heights can be challenging. Just keeping your senses of your surrounds about you is very important on any portion of this climb. Summit in 3 1/2 hrs, back down in 1 1/2, 5 hrs all together with short rests in between to enjoy the sunset was awesome..

[@JustinOutdoors]

Why are you sorry? Your experience and opinions are completely valid!

[@higler.]

ooooh this is some spicy content!

[@njg5942]

Very entertaining, thank you!

[@quieroverduras]

😂The east to west traverse is an easy scramble. The distortion on the Insta360 makes this route look like something much more exciting than it is.

[@JustinOutdoors]

I wouldn't classify it as easy but the 360 shots do make it look more intense than it is. Still a 30ft cliff drop from a 6inch wide ledge.

[@LemonfaceBeatz]

Yeah that chain section would be a big NOPE for me

[@higler.]

Looks like you're ready to come to Colorado and try some of our 13ers and 14ers!

[@ti-ande]

Great video, love the footage from that 360 cam!

[@russellpilling8749]

As a side note, they didn't put in a bridge for the chain section? And they didn't close the final scree slope? And it looks like they but some steps in on the way up?

[@2910Alison]

I hate to post negative comments, but... I think one of the reasons that people get into trouble is people calling this a "hike" when it is in fact a "scramble". As the sign you show calls it. Then people underestimate the actual ascent/descent because they think its a "hike". Names DO matter, and the difference is that to do even the easiest scramble you should have some competence on scree and with route-finding and risk mitigation. While on a hike you don't necessarily need those skills as much. Otherwise this is an informative video.

[@JustinOutdoors]

I agree that people underestimate this hike for the scrambling aspects. I also think people need to be researching and making sure they are adequately prepared for any trip into the backcountry, whether it is a hike or a scramble. There are a ton of hazards out there that could get you if not prepared (bears and river crossings, for example).

[@HornsUpNC]

I’m not afraid of heights but that trail would be a big nope for me lol

[@andrewheffel3565]

That's a hard nope for me. It made me pucker just watching.

[@VinceFowler]

I love Yam. I've hiked it so many times, guided a women's soccer team (everyone's first time) and took a class of grade 10 high school students. We had guides for the high school class. Instead of traversing the chained ledge, the guides set up a rapel over that part. Great hike... not as scary as the media headlines would like people to believe. The final scree run is an absolute shoe shredder - how did your Speedgoats hold up?

[@Petychka]

Those chained sections are terrifying. I would have turned back.

[@edwin8808]

Not even DanBecker would hike there. Thx justinindoors.

[@Andy-Mesa]

That’s not saying much.

[@unightie]

😂

[@nateowen6070]

Ah yes, justinindoors. Love that guy.

[@malenve6vid]

Yam, awesome hike.

[@joker2100]

Really cool camera angles!

[@alane3983]

I like that camera. Gonna have to get one.

[@kenwbrenner]

Hi Justin. Enjoyed watching this video, but admit to being a bit concerned for your safety. It looked like a combination of a Via ferrata and free climbing. I agree on the loose scree - bad news. Thankful you made it safely...

[@seamusOB]

Any tips on dealing with a fear of heights? On a recent hike there was a section with a sheer drop and a wire cable to hold onto. The trail was probably three foot wide (approx. 90cms) but the fear started to kick in hard. I started to get a kind of tunnel vision and made a mistake by hitting my hand which was on the cable on a piece of rock. I realized my concentration was completely overwhelmed by fear so I decided to turn around and go back down. Humiliated and disappointed but not dead.

[@danielsingh9415]

There's no humiliation in quitting, u weren't ready, & that's ok, one day u might be, and that's ok too 👍 forgive urself & move on, live to fight another day! Tunnel vision is a sign, but part of the process

[@JustinOutdoors]

What worked for me was just gradually (over years) exposing myself to more and more situations I was slightly scared in. Things like walking within 3m of a small cliff edge, then maybe 2m. Then maybe a slightly bigger cliff.

[@danielsingh9415]

@@JustinOutdoors exposure therapy, I'm doing that with my brain injury but it's slow going, push a lil on good days, stay in yellow zone & take a brain 🧠 break. Don't push thru into red zone, or consequences, have a setback & be out for weeks

[@garyt3hsna1l82]

Kuwabara chant for lightning luck.

[@Nutt7]

I’m surprised the chain section didn’t have any via ferrata cables

[@darkhorizonifyable]

Wasnt that bad, i felt more unsafe holding the chain then just free climbing it. I took the scramble down and found that the toughest section

[@russellpilling8749]

The only reason this is the most dangerous is because of stats. Everyone from Calgary thinks it's a beginner hike, and it is not. It's a more advanced hike, or a beginner scramble. And people get rescued because they're not prepared for it. Happens alot at EEOR too.

[@danielsingh9415]

Cool, the insta360 x3, is on my wishlist👍 capture 1st, frame the shot later (in post & still on ur phone! which is insane as some of the shots!) Did u bung up the lens, dropping it in the dirt on the 10 ft pole while glissading the scree slopes? Love the invisible selfie stick, but we need more horizon lock or something, as the camera is waving about too much!

[@genevieve4679]

How do you get those cool shots of your back and from above?

[@user-zp9ue5jl4c]

Just did this hike a while ago and was great hike but when coming down it got dark super quick and was very scary

[@mokefish8126]

The scree slopes have degraded a lot in the last few years. Tons of use has sluffed off the fine scree that used to be there and now those slopes aren't nearly as fun as they used to be. If you want an awesome scree ski, you should hit The Fortress from the Headwall Lakes side and loop back on the Chester side.

[@krtkrtko573]

Hmm I have done 92 mountains in Rockies and I see Yamnuska as one of the easiest one. They are way more dangerous hikes.

[@margaretlemmon1143]

Don't know if I would trust those chains to stay attached

[@zafiradaima]

The rock ledge with chains looks really scary. Are you wearing the Hoka Speed Goats on this trail? Thanks!

[@JustinOutdoors]

I am!

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

I'll stick to boulder hopping on the AT.

[@bmint]

Is this alberta or bc?

[@bmint]

My dad took me here when I was little.. I don’t remember much but we have pictures of little me on the chains.. somewhere 😂

[@JustinOutdoors]

alberta :)

[@AlpineLifeProductions]

My guy... yam is not even CLOSE to the hardest hike in the rockies. Try mount Assiniboine if you want to up the pucker factor a bit.

[@WeekendsOutsideFL]

Though I have been getting into more outdoor activity lately I just don’t have any desire to scramble cliffs like that, it’s just too dang scary for me. And for the love of all that is holy I just can’t understand why you guys don’t clip yourself to that chain with a big… clip thing.

[@PierreFarrugia]

Id that area like a via ferrate ?

[@JustinOutdoors]

Not quite. Most people don't clip in and it's only a small section.

[@PierreFarrugia]

@@JustinOutdoors Thank Justin, we don’t have mountains , so I can kearn

[@jeffkirdeikis_]

Ive seen 8 year olds in crocs on this hike lol. there are hundreds of hikes more dangerous than this

[@TerekFilms3]

Bro mt yamnuska was the first mountain I summited, its not dangerous

[@hali3143]

I am a local and It's not a scary hike at all. The problem is this mountain is easily accessible. Most people think they are able to attempt scramble from just flat hiking. You need experience. The chain section is over rated. Granted if you have a fear of heights, you shouldn't be there.

[@sammcloughlin9291]

Yeah... mate... as soon as you hit that chain part.... yeah thats not hiking any more thats ruthless... fair play going up there not for me though

[@musingwithreba9667]

OMG hard NOPE! 🫣

[@c.5376]

Hahahhahahaha this is an ABSURD headlie. Clickbait at best. Yam is a STROLL.

[@scottyplug]

NOPE

[@playnationtoday]

No offense to anyone’s definition of outdoor experience, but that seems like more of an amusement park experience than an actual outdoor “mountain” experience.