Skiing the Aemmer Couloir on Mt. Temple
Aemmer Couloir on Mt. Temple
Located on Mount Temple near the town of Lake Louise, AB, the Aemmer couloir descents over 600 meters (1800 feet) in a 45 degree drop down Temple’s North Face.
Aemer couloir is a ski mountaineering objective for those who don’t mind boot packing up 40-45 degree slopes and descending the way they climbed up.
Early May blessed us with cold temperatures and good snow stability. On May 5th, Ian, Piotr and I set off to climb the Aemmer couloir. Good overnight freeze the night before created fast travel conditions allowing us to move relatively fast. We covered the 12+ km distance with about 800 m (2400 feet) elevation gain to the base of Aemmer in under 4 hours.
7:30 am starting at the Moraine Lake Road gate. During the winter, moraine lake road is closed to automobile traffic (just as you leave the Chateau Lake Louise access road). The road is used for classical and XC (cross country skiing).
Following the 2.5 km ski up Moraine Lake Road to the Paradise Valley parking lot we skied up Lake Annette trail for 5.7 km (245 m elevation gain.
Ian and Piotr skiing up the moraines just after crossing Lake Annette.
At the base of Aemmer Couloir, looking east.
After about an hour break waiting for the loose snow to avalanche of the right hand side walls of the couloir we started boot packing up the 600 m (1800 foot) couloir.
About one third of the way up the couloir we had to take a break sheltered against some rock cliffs to wait for some of the ice pallets and loose snow to come off the face. The loose debris would fly past as down the center of the couloir as we patiently waited. Since we had an hour to kill, we got creative.
Looking back around the half way mark.
Myself and Ian moving steadily. Photo by Piotr.
Ian just before topping out at the top of the Aemmer.
Piotr few steps from the top
Looking at my altimeter as we reach the top seven and a half hours after departure.
Ian skiing the final 100 meters.
Looking back. Can you spot the skier?
Piotr enjoying the spring corn snow just pass the saddle skiing towards like Annette.
This mountain goat appeared out of nowhere as we finished skiing the couloir. We figured it brought us good luck. Photo by Piotr.
Back at the car after 10.5 hours of skiing / climbing.
Aemmer Couloir photo gallery
Planning Resources
- Summits & Icefields 1 Book on Amazon
- Avalanche Bulletins
- Outdoor Gear price checker (easily find gear on sale)
Aemmer couloir is a serious ski mountaineering objective and with ofter challenging snow conditions its 45-55 degree slopes near the top are definitely a “no-fall zone”. In 2012 there was a skier fall accident there. Read more about the Aemmer couloir fall on Parks Canada Mountain safety website.
What’s your favorite ski summit or ski tour?
Author: Mike Blarowski
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