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Mount Colonel Foster
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:
View on MapMt. 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.
Recent Sends
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:
View on MapMt. 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.