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Mutch/McKay Route

5.8, Trad, Alpine, 1215 ft (368 m), 7 pitches, Grade III,  Avg: 3.4 from 19 votes
FA: Hamish Mutch, Lloyd McKay.
International > N America > Canada > Alberta > Banff NP > Valley of the T… > Tower of Babel
Warning Access Issue: Travel Restrictions DetailsDrop down

Description

Previously referred to as the "Linear Route" and the "North Buttress". 

There is no denying that the Tower of Babel is a striking feature, in a stunning alpine setting. The rock is generally of good quality and the solid quartzite lend to fun, juggy climbing throughout. The entire day is spent overlooking the picturesque Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks and the summit views are unparalleled.

That said, the rock is quite poor on some pitches and care should be taken to not drop loose rocks. A helmet is strongly recommended.

*From Hamish Mutch:

    1.  The climb starts at the LOWEST POINT of the face.  This is one of the best pitches, a solid 5.8  (climb a steep corner to a ledge, then continue up a second steep corner.)

    2.  The climb does NOT involve hiking up the gully, and then walking back left along a ledge.

The route description is as follows:

P1, 5.6- Move up on good holds in a short, right-facing corner. Traverse left, out of the corner and onto easy ground in a more prominent right facing corner. Angle slightly left and up, then up through a crack to another broad ledge system and bolted belay, 110'.

P2, 5.7- Move left on the large ledge about 30' (marked by a small cairn) and up through blocky terrain. After 70' or so, a few moves left lead to a slabby wall with shallow cracks running vertically. Follow these cracks upwards and left, then traverse right to the bolted station below a small roof, 140'.

P3, 5.8- Move right and then, upwards on good holds. Three bolts provide the protection through this section, then lead to easy, 4th class terrain. An intermediate station can be built, or consider simul-climbing to the bolted station below a black groove/chimney at a comfortable stance, 250'.

P4, 5.7- Climb upwards through the black groove. Easy route-finding leads to a bolted station at another comfortable stance, 150'. Alternatively, the white corner to the left can also be climbed to the same point.

P5, 5.6- Move slightly right, then upwards from the belay following obvious weaknesses. Move left below a wide crack, pull through a small overhang to a forested ledge and bolted anchor, 100'.

P6, 5.0- Walk up and left on a trail, then scramble back right on an obvious ramp to a large ledge. A few more low 5th class moves back left will reach the final headwall, 300'.

P7, 5.8- From the leftmost point of the final belay ledge (above a square-cut boulder), move up through cracks, and through a slot to below a roof. Move right to get around the roof. A few moves back left get you into a steep, right-leaning corner system. Follow to the top, 190'.

Descent- Follow enormous cairns in a south-easterly direction. Climb through the steep wall at the shortest point (5.2). Take a photo at the stone living room set, then keep heading in the same direction. A trail to the SSW takes you to a small col. Head down the steep and loose descent gully on a trail-- which slowly improves-- back to the start of the horizontal ledge.

Location

Approach- From the horizontal ledge, walk about 40m on a well-worn trail. The climb starts where further travel on the ledge would become more exposed. The last significant tree, indicates the start of the route.

Protection

Single rack .4-3, but double .75-2 could be appreciated. 10-14 long draws. Bring double ropes to reduce drag, or if you needed to retreat on stations. Bolted stations on all but the final two pitches.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Best approach: Stay on the Consolation Lakes trail, or slightly above the trail but below the talus, until you reach this point. Head straight up the groove from here to the lowest part of the wall. Start from here, or go right along the wall to the ledge
[Hide Photo] Best approach: Stay on the Consolation Lakes trail, or slightly above the trail but below the talus, until you reach this point. Head straight up the groove from here to the lowest part of the wall…
Looking up from the belay station on the final 5.8 pitch.
[Hide Photo] Looking up from the belay station on the final 5.8 pitch.
Belay station for the final 5.8 pitch.  Marked with a small cairn.  There is also another area slightly to the left that also has a crack.  We were uncertain of which line was correct and opted for the one directly above where this cairn is situated.
[Hide Photo] Belay station for the final 5.8 pitch. Marked with a small cairn. There is also another area slightly to the left that also has a crack. We were uncertain of which line was correct and opted for…
Looking back at the belay from the start of the second pitch.
[Hide Photo] Looking back at the belay from the start of the second pitch.
Following the second pitch.
[Hide Photo] Following the second pitch.
Start of the second pitch traverse on the McKay Route.
[Hide Photo] Start of the second pitch traverse on the McKay Route.
Looking down at the base of the belay for our 6th pitch (5th pitch in route description; we didn't simulclimb previous 250 ft 5.8 pitch).
[Hide Photo] Looking down at the base of the belay for our 6th pitch (5th pitch in route description; we didn't simulclimb previous 250 ft 5.8 pitch).
Looking down from the outstanding last pitch, very fun climbing in a beautiful position
[Hide Photo] Looking down from the outstanding last pitch, very fun climbing in a beautiful position

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Double J
Sandy, UT
 
[Hide Comment] Great Rockies route to get your feet wet. Some loose pitches, some bomber pitches, it is a great route on the tower to understand how to climb the rocks here in the summertime and then climb bigger objectives with even looser rock! Aug 21, 2018
[Hide Comment] Approach Beta: Continue along the Consolation Lakes trail until cairns guide you along below the talus. Continue until you are below a shallow gulley, below the lowest part of the wall. Ascend almost directly to the wall following sporadic cairns from here.

Beta in Banff Rock and elsewhere suggests you ascend earlier than this, to the right of the route, but this is loose and much less pleasant. See photo.

Gear: I would take gear down to .3 (and up to 3), there's actually loads of places for a .3. Sep 19, 2022