Canadian Rockies // The Wapta Traverse

Starting at Bow Pass and working it’s way down to Peyto Lake then to the Peyto Glacier and onto the Wapta Icefield. The Wapta Traverse winds its way through the Waputik Mountains, onto and across several glaciers such as Vulture, Balfour and Niles. All together the travers covers 30 miles of Canadian scenic beauty with about 8000ft of climbing. We considered doing it in a day but I was unaware of the Canadian’s propensity for generosity and was worried we wouldn’t be able to hitch a ride back to our car in the dark. So we spent a very uncomfortable night at the Duncan hut with nothing but our hopes and dreams to keep us warm. When we did reach the road we were instantly picked up and quickly got 2 rides back to our car. Canada is awesome.

[@rodneyanderson8741]

SPECTACULAR, in my opinion, "thee" best documented adventure in all the years that I have enjoyed watching Mediocre Amateur

[@JamieMiles_southmainmuse]

I thought the same.

[@itwasanewdayyesterday2586]

@@JamieMiles_southmainmuse was here to say the same, one of the best

[@bushtruck]

Stay outta Canada ya bums! We like our mountains quiet, not overrun like yours! And quit promoting unprepared traverses! Other than that great video, love ya guys!

[@stanhumphreys9282]

With all the garbage there is on YT these days, why don't these guys have a million subscribers? It's a crime.

[@nathanjthompson]

I was thinking the same thing. Great work guys!

[@ContentsMayDiffer]

Zero visibility on a glacier is nothing compared to the sheer terror of the conversations you might have to endure if you end up in the wrong person's truck.

[@spelunkerd]

I did the Wapta traverse almost 40 years ago. Interestingly there was very little standing water, no river crossings at the beginning, and I don't remember the ice cave, either. The mountain peaks were distinctive and memorable. Heavy snow covered everything and we stayed in a quick snow cave one night. The most concerning part was the telemark descent through the trees at the end, where fatigue and tricky snow made us all worry about falling. Thanks for the memories!

[@alexadventures5620]

God bless the day that I came across this channel

[@MikeWindsor]

Just catching up on some of your videos that I’ve missed and wow. The adventures you guys go on and the quality of your videos are unreal. Seriously my favorite channel on KZbin, and way better than anything on network tv. Thank you for sharing and for the continued inspiration. Keep on crushing it.

[@bFow]

Great video, and an awesome adventure. Very fun to see some of the traverse with better vis than when I did it. A note please though is the huts are unheated - other than Bow - and are meant to be wild sheltered and only as warm as the number of people in them warming them up. Using the propane is intended for cooking only - it is flown up to the hut. Also the propane will crank up the moisture in the hut. Please don't lead people astray with that description of warming the hut as much as you can with the cook stove.

[@cooperpayne]

Why? Who built them?

[@bFow]

@@cooperpayne built by volunteers with fundraised money by the Alpine Club of Canada. They have to fly with a helicopter that fuel up there to use with the cooking stoves. Propane isn't constantly resupplied. Also when you burn propane you get a molecule of H2O for every molecule of propane burnt, really gets the hut humid and gear will not dry well.

[@michaelwilson5344]

Amazed ... at how little snow and ice are left up there ? Amazed - that you were so lucky with the weather. But it was snowing while you left Duncan hut ? Amazed at how little gear and food you guys carried. You pulled it off OK, by going very fast with light packs... But did you ever wish you could have stayed up there to enjoy the high scenery for a few more days ? Yrs ago, I was a grad student at U Calgary - I did part of that trip, using Norwegian wood skis, Swix ski wax, wool pants, Norwegian leather boots. That was before the era of plastic boots and climbing skins. We visited the old Bow Hut, Peyto Hut and Balfour Hut. There was so much more ice and snow... and lots of trail breaking. A snowstorm arrived, so we did Peyto to Bow Hut in a snow storm, by compass bearings. On a different route, J fell into a crevasse up to his armpits. Very scary. He was roped, and so I held him OK with my ice axe - but then what ? I only had a few ice screws, Gibbs ascenders and Prussics... On another route, Y almost fell through a snow bridge. the bridge collapse under the heels of his skis, while K and I fell down on the other side and dug our elbows into the snow. Very scary. My goggles were all frosted, couldn't see... K had packed a little pup tent - so we sat inside the tent, cooled down, calmed down, ate chocolate bars and waited for a lull in the blizzard. Crazy G had taken a CAC course on crevasse rescue ? He told us about being lowered down into a dripping wet crevasse and hanging there, swinging in his harness. waiting for hours, getting soaked by the drips, while the team figured out how to haul him up again. It helps to have lots of people and some pulleys and snow stakes ? I think you guys were very lucky.... But you took great risks... especially by not bringing enough food or sleeping bags to wait out a storm inside a hut or inside a snow cave ? \ Did you bring shovels and snow saws to make a cave or igloo ? You should watch Mountain Rescue Season One episode One for views of a deep crevasse near Mont Blanc.

[@woweezowee334]

7:36 is such an incredible shot

[@nikorolfness1327]

keep up the awesome content you guys keep me hyped up to keep going out in the mountains and doing bigger and cooler things. Also, It's always great to sit down and watch one of your guys videos.

[@roymeetsworld1]

WOW!!!! That ice-cave was incredible !!

[@russschwartz2046]

I wondered if anyone was going to comment on the misuse of the hut propane. Otherwise, nicely done.

[@abscooley4365]

Coming from a guy who is native to northeast Afghanistan which has tremendous Hindu Kush mountains, the entire Ice Fields Parkway drive is as good as it gets. From Mount Temple and Morraine Lake to Lake Louise and Bow Lake or the Athabasca Glacier, this is an amazing place, winter or summer.

[@williampacey9194]

Beautiful area, a 77 year old man can only watch a great video. Damn beautiful!

[@adamk3591]

Always appreciate the commentary regarding risk assessment. Really helps fellow MAs

[@solog116]

Even though this is only a few hours from my house (Edmonton) as I watch this...its a world away.

[@kgsz]

Came here from the Xander's recommendation and OMG, where you've been all my life? Love your style, cinematography, background music, montage; everything. You're amazing. Happy to meet you!

[@bidenadministrationischina5091]

There is one constant in each video. A guy who loves nature and loves traversing it.

[@JamieMiles_southmainmuse]

I’m later to comment- but after watching a lot of mediocrity, this has to be your breakthrough video. Seriously, this was amazing and I know nothing of sking or navigating life-threatening cold. That was some of the most beautiful landscape, I’ve ever seen. When you are old - even older than myself-- you can look at this with your grandkids and say, “I was one crazy MotherF’er.” 😂

[@RabbitCarrots]

The views! Amazing!!!

[@2009buzybee]

Nice, thanks for sharing. I’m adding this to my list.

[@nothankyou90]

Definitely one of the best adventures so far. Would be awesome to see you guys tackle something difficult in the northeast like Mount Katahdin in winter. Thanks for all the inspiration material!

[@pei-huayen-roy1047]

Thank you for this AMAZING adventure. The views are spectacular!! I will never be able to do anything like what you do, but it makes me happy to watch your videos.

[@mountainssea9642]

I absolutely love this channel. Started with Kraig Adams. Found my way here. You guys are phenomenal.

[@DavidDTA]

A favorite video. I start my mornings with your adventures. You guys are super inspiring .

[@traviss8354]

Hats off to those friendly Canadians for giving you rides so quickly. The only time I've had to hitchhike back to my car was after doing a few days backpacking in the backcountry in Yellowstone. I took almost an hour and a half to get a ride and I was only going 15 miles.

[@farbeyonddriven8173]

Gonna need a ride in the Beartooths this summer. Hope for better luck!

[@ItaiGanor]

I love your videos!! amazing, the editing is great. and I got hyped every second in the video for the views and the remote place in the mountains, great job!!

[@skydetherfangirl]

what’s this about an avalanche? such a gloriously glamorous word for sure. Be careful! I love you danny💕

[@gobikeyourself]

Every once in a while I run across one of your videos. Allways like them a lot, but this one blows me away! Awesome adventure, thanks for sharing!

[@GetTheMostWanted]

unreal landscapes

[@KarlDeckerPresents]

Totally awesome! Great footage. . . but OMG be careful, it may not always work out. . . I narrowly escaped a "bad ending" recently and only foolhardy luck and rock climbing skill got me out alive. I'm backing off a bit. It did look like you guys were in control on this one but darkness in a white out doing glacier travel in new terrain, yikes. . . incredible job!

[@arminm8186]

The mountaineers equivalent of cardboards - LOL, I love it 😜

[@bhe317]

Absolutely beautiful, one of my favorites from you guys! Excellent job on the production!

[@alehax27]

beyond gnarly, per usual

[@ConquerYou]

U guys are amazing.

[@K2dot]

Thanks for a great video!

[@dustinwall1552]

Spectacular!

[@davidfisher92]

*LOVE* the pith helmet reference!!!!

[@ChrisMillerLite]

This was pretty badass being in the middle of nature at it's greatest

[@Matt_________9]

Always makes my day to see a new MA video posted. Awesome trip. Cheers!!

[@Naafun]

You guys smashed it. Great Vid! Love the Rockies!

[@ZonDog]

What a paradise for ski mountaineering!

[@duncanbell315]

Glad you enjoyed my hut.

[@ClimbSnipes]

Great video guys. Thanks for making these. I am from Utah & moved to Florida 2 years ago. These videos help when I’m missing the mountains

[@markjones3425]

Very nice to see the traverse and experience it again from newby's eyes..great video and ENERGY from you fellows, ....definitely your best mediocrity so far! Impressive effort ! Cheers!

[@shauntaylor5034]

Love that the last few uploads have been from my backyard!! You picked some good ones for when you were here.

[@ralphsadventures8901]

Great video !!! Thank you for showing this spectacular tour or traverse 💪👍🍀👏👏👏👏 kind greetings from Austria

[@manfredseidler1531]

Whatever you guys have is absolutely wonderful but at the same time there is no cure for it either... stay safe.

[@BreakOutOfTheAlgorithm]

Sorry about that first comment. Y'all are my heroes and you make bushwacking and ice caves look like more fun than a day at Disneyland. 👍

[@CorentinHarbelot]

Yes! New vidéo! Thanks ! Greets from France.

[@zinexo]

Epic video. One of the best on the channel which already has an incredibly high bar set.

[@georgehaeh4856]

Wow! I hiked the Wapta in August 99, but there was 3' of fresh snow and we all put our feet in the guide's bootprints. We stopped at all the huts including a couple extra days for peak bagging. That was a week and you guys blitzed it to Duncan in a day! Lovely video; brings back memories. PS. Having the hut to yourselves, nobody would complain if you piled sleeping mats over yourselves.

[@dannymoranz1589]

We enjoyed Bow mountain hut in the summer of 1995. Beautiful area. Keep up the great adventures!

[@AleksandarGospic]

Wow, fantastic adventure in mesmerizing scenery of Canadian Rockies! 😍😍Awesome video guys, that last sentence was perfect ending!

[@brendancorboy8091]

I think this is the most gear I've ever seen you guys carry.

[@mackenzisehon8559]

Was a pleasure to have you guys out here in the Canadian Rockies!

[@joshgonzalez2885]

Best edited video by far. Some shots looked like out of interstellar

[@ucbikecop]

One of your best, thank you

[@whenopportunitycomes8718]

Woohoooh. Awesome. 👊👊 Amazing view. This episode is the motivation for the weekend.

[@silverdesk72]

Great film. Beautiful scenery. Quite inspiring.

[@rickblodgett9133]

Hey Mediocre’s keep up The great adventures You inspired my cousin ‘s next Vacation This summer in Switzerland.

[@peteryan141]

Really great video.👍

[@diostejastierras7898]

*I can't believe we missed this trailhead/scenic overlook between Jasper and Banff National Parks!* Thank you for sharing this, and giving us a little gem to find if we ever go up north again! *Take Care and Safe Travels! Stay midocre and keep being amateur Everyone!*

[@pagewhite61]

Wow! What an adventure! That ice cave was amazing! Thanks for another great video.

[@lukefromtexas]

Great content as always. Love the channel. Keep ‘‘em coming!

[@antonioloredo8800]

So wonderful way to show us the Rockies, amazing trip guys. Super well done as always...

[@remingtonevert8451]

Magnificent! Another gem on the channel.

[@MostlyThoughtThisThrough]

I just love this channel so much. WTG boys!

[@MarcLacasse]

Great job guys! Amazing scenery and vlog skills!

[@johnshellenberg1383]

Done this traverse four times plus the Bow-Yoho plus shorter trips based out of the Bow Hut, and I have to say, your snow was "interesting" - lol.

[@isaacjamesbaker]

Wow this was just incredible to watch, as someone who will never do this. Stoked for you dudes.

[@BackyardHiker]

THAT ICE CAVE WAS KILLA!! Awesome Adventure!

[@sashanorman7975]

You guys do not understand how lucky you were with the weather I know some who have been up 4-5 times for multi day trips and never saw any blue, well done

[@maggiemao6472]

Thanks for sharing. I don't get the chance seeing it in person, it is nice to see it from you guys video. Appreciate it lots

[@flukeofficial]

Such epic views in those Canadian Rockies.

[@bigadventuresonaveragetale1563]

Stunning! Nothing 'mediocre' about this trip though - but I won't quibble about the name and will just enjoy the awesomeness

[@david-pc6ko]

Awesome to see you guys came up here to Canada! You guys are massive inspiration for me in ski touring. Cheers, Stay safe!

[@kennyd6388]

You guys live an awesome life!!!

[@nickradner5325]

Dude...I KNOW after that Ice cave, you guys were WAY out...probably way way farther out than you originally thought with the gear you brought That is REAL adventuring dudes. Legit awesome in every way

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

Nice, have fond memories of simular experiance.

[@kevinw1129]

Wow, what a trip. Amazing scenery. Good job Amateurs!

[@papajon62]

Man that looked cold, you could almost feel it. Great adventure and please stay safe!

[@deivclayton]

Wow! Such an awesome adventure!

[@gleneverett9728]

Awesome

[@ericmenocal3768]

Great footage, guys. Just awesome!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

A bit of a rough sleeping situation that's for sure! Epic trip guys.

[@robinsmith9734]

Just an amazing winter/spring traverse through a lengthy elevation change route and journey, that "0ld Glacier Ice" was evidence of massive change. I have seen the same here in NZ with an isolated high/wide hoop of Old Ice out on its own. The Tasman Gl also 20 miles long in the 60's-90's aint NO more. changing into Lake, and total lateral moraine collapse! Great Vid...........

[@stihlnz]

New Zealand Mountain huts all have blankets ... sure you don't know what smelly climbers been wrapped in them but they are very welcome for fast and light people. (I'm neither now). Ski touring by proxy. Well done guy's

[@bennysworld16]

Wow Amaizing Adventure and incredible shot i love it

[@samwisegamgee4659]

SWEET!!!

[@seanclimb]

"I wonder what made those mounds!"... as he is standing in a glacial moraine...

[@macmurfy2jka]

Awesome trip! I have plans of doing the 2-3 day tour up Columbia one day. This looks fun too. May need to do this as well, myself.

[@jimborad7490]

It's like i'm there. Love it. In my mind though, I have my down sleeping bag and a bivy for comfort and safety anywhere out there.

[@KevinSmith-wr1sy]

All your videos are unreal

[@dinobatchelor9404]

Superb! Thank you

[@naujesojzevachsopmac6377]

This Is MAGNIFICO , great experience hundread of likes

[@frankthomas1983]

nice work guys 💪

[@bboss8048]

As always, beast mode engaged. You guys are legends......eventually, lol

[@Ramneek22]

Best channel on KZbin as always

[@jwhoward182]

My jaw hit the floor exiting the hut, in the dark, in a snowstorm, on a glacier. 19:19 - I'm thinking the camera lighting made it appear darker than it really was? Stay safe out here and be more than mediocre on safety. We need you, your families need you.

[@Mount_Currie]

Such a rad video. I live in BC and would love to explore the Rockies

[@katarinasostakova4947]

I love you guys and this was another EPIC adventure! You always inspire me (during summer, I went to Guggihutte in Switzerland and it was my most memorable summer experience). Definitely the most beautiful views. However, I miss Christoff and his comments 😄