The Whole Canyon

Ryan rappelling 37 meters into the canyon, off the first bridge.

Ryan checking our some of the interesting water sculpted rock formations.

Ryan climbing the first waterfall found under the first bridge of the Maligne Canyon.

This week, Guides Ryan Titchener and Wayne Robinson decided to do something they had been wanting to do for years, explore the entire length of the Maligne Canyon.

The guides rappelled off the first bridge (37 meters) to the base of the first ice fall, found at the top of the canyon. Ryan and Wayne walked down to the the 'Cathedral, and then back to the first bridge. The upper portion of the canyon is impossible to navigate with out ice climbing gear, including ropes, crampons, ice screws, and ice axes. They made the best of the day and climbed over the first ice fall to end where they started.

Wayne and Ryan were astounded with different rock formations created by moving water./ There were areas that suggested that the Maligne River (or a former river) flowed into the canyon between the first and second bridge. There was an area where the water cut a hole through the rock for some unknown reason. There was another small waterfall issuing from out of a crack in the canyon walls that was covered in a fine dust. Upon closer inspection, the guides found that it was covered in travertine (the mineral that makes up stalagmites and stalactites). It became very obvious to both that the canyon must have been a cave, or part of a cave system at one time.

Can you check out this area of the canyon too? Unfortunately not. This is an area requiring technical gear and knowledge to get into, but you can see the guides' pictures, or join them on a regular ice walk and learn all about it first hand.