Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Goblin Arete

5.11, Trad, 350 ft (106 m), 4 pitches,  Avg: 3.9 from 7 votes
FA: Andy Genereux '92
International > N America > Canada > Alberta > Banff NP > Lake Louise > Back of The Lake > Goblin Wall

Description

Climb

A stellar arete climb bolted by Genereux in the early 90's. Notably, the climb has a distinct Genereux "modern mixed" flavour where you should not expect to pull cruxes with a bolt clipped above your head, but should trust that there is a bolt placed where you need it! A few pieces of gear are nice to supplement the bolts - most pitches can only take a piece or two, bring a cool head for the "sport" run-outs! Amazing rock, excellent exposure, and a beyond beautiful setting. 

P1 (5.11, 35 m, 9 bolts): From the far left side of the tree'd ledge (bolt with a quick link) climb some less than enjoyable rock for ~10 meters past a few bolts, keeping the bolts on your right. Where it begins to steepen, keep going straight up (one can also go left, which is less fun) through steep, juggy terrain. Cut right under the roof onto the face, clip a bolt, execute a few thin face moves up and left for the route's crux and run it to the chains. Belay at a stance on the arete. 

P2 (5.10, 15 m, 3 bolts, 2 pins): From the belay stance, head up and cross right onto the face. Techy climbing leads you past a few bolts until you can return to the arete. Continue up the arete passing 2 pins (5.8) and then run it out over progressively easier terrain (5.6 down to 4th class) to belay on a nice ledge under a roof in the corner. 

P3 (5.9, 45+ m, 10 bolts): Exit the belay to the left, heading up the crack for a couple of meters. Traverse hard right under the next mini-roof to regain the arete. Look to the right to take note of the "Love at First Sight" belay station just a little bit above where you pull onto the arete, you'll use this on your rap. Cruise the arete for the remaining ~35 m of the pitch on big holds to a semi-hanging chain belay.

P4 (5.10, 15 m, 3 bolts): Head up the face or the arete to a high first bolt.For maximum enjoyment, do your best to stay on the arete! Belay on a big, grassy ledge.

Rappel

From the top of P4, rap back to the semi-hanging belay (chains) at the top of P3 (~15 m). From here, rap slightly climbers right to the rap rings on the face (Love At First Sight) near where you regained the arete (~27 m). Rap straight down to rings just under the small roof (~30 m), and then all the way to the dirt (35 m on the nose).

Getting There:

From the parking head left on the well used tourist trail. Branch right as soon as you can to take the good trail that contours the lake shore down low (not a complete sidewalk). Follow the trail up at the first scree/boulder field, aiming for the drainage just under the arete. Access the arete from the right end of the ledge. Budget ~45 minutes for the approach, don't cross more than one scree field. 

Location

The obvious arete above the south side of the lake, gets good late afternoon sun. Quite exposed to any prevailing winds.

Protection

18 draws and a single rack to 1 inch offers the best options to pick your own path between the arete and Love at First Sight. Double ropes aids in this tactic, but a single 70 is likely the best alternative.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Goblin Arete Topo and Rap Beta
[Hide Photo] Goblin Arete Topo and Rap Beta
Glory of P3. As seen from top of 2nd pitch on love at first sight
[Hide Photo] Glory of P3. As seen from top of 2nd pitch on love at first sight
Pitch 1 of arete. Traversing out to face
[Hide Photo] Pitch 1 of arete. Traversing out to face
Goblin Approach
[Hide Photo] Goblin Approach
Pitch 3
[Hide Photo] Pitch 3
3rd pitch. Beautiful long gear pitch right on the arete! Classic!
[Hide Photo] 3rd pitch. Beautiful long gear pitch right on the arete! Classic!

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] I found that it made for a nice day to climb each line independently, starting with the arete. It's nice using a single 70m rope. 18 draws is plenty, BD .2-2 with doubles .3-.75 is about the biggest rack you could make use of if you want to stitch it up. Jun 27, 2021
Alex SP
Canmore, AB
[Hide Comment] Single 70m rope, set of c3's and double rack to #2, offset nuts were used quite a few times, and regular nuts. 16 draws was plenty.

I'm not sure how you'd "weave" between routes. Goblin Arete stays close to the arete and Love at First Sight is at least 5 meters to the right. Do each route independently for the best climbing (and probably easier too).

It's a spectacular climb on bomber rock!

Be prepared for spaced bolting which can sometimes be supplemented with gear.

You can climb Love at First Sight with the same gear, maybe add some RPs. Jul 16, 2021
Aimee McRae
Bend
 
[Hide Comment] We did the link up from the first pitch of love at first sight into the 3rd pitch. The guidebooks call the 3rd pitch 10c and while it might not be that hard it certainly isn’t 5.9 either. The pro is tricky so I wouldn’t recommend it for a 5.9 leader.

Also, if your partner tried to talk you into walking around the back side of the lake to do some more pitches at Back of the Lake, just say no. There’s no trail, it’s heinous side hill scree walking to gnarly bushwhacking to a freezing wade across the delta at the end of the lake. It took us 2 hours to get to Back of the Lake.

Also, the mosquitoes were really bad at the base of goblin wall and even at the belay at the top of the first pitch. Bring your bug spray! Jul 22, 2022