Description:

Mt. Colonel Foster is Vancouver Island’s unrivalled alpine climbing mecca and home
to the Island’s most challenging winter and summer alpine routes. The mountain is
located in a dramatic cirque near the head of the Elk River, a major tributary of the Campbell River.
‘The Colonel’ has a dramatic 1,000m (3,300 ft) north east face which plummets, from a serrated summit
ridge of six distinct peaks, in a series of well-defined buttresses and plumb-line couloirs. The routes
up these features are of a scale comparable to any major alpine peak and it is fair to say Mt. Colonel
Foster is home to some of Canada’s finest alpine climbs.

First Ascent: Michael Walsh June 1968

Directions / Travel Info:

Mt. Colonel Foster can be reached most easily via the Elk River Trail. This well maintained
and traveled trail runs 11 km to Landslide Lake from the trail-head on Highway 28. Drive 65 km west of
Campbell River on Highway 28 to the well signposted trail-head and parking lot. The trail has a gentle
grade gaining only 2,000 ft over 12 km and is a fast hike. Count on 2-6 hours to Landslide Lake depending on the party and loads.