Spires of the Bugaboos (Cont.)

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Outside Magazine August 2001

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Spires of the Bugaboos (Cont.)
Access and Resources

By Mitchell Scott

Bugaboo Provincial Park is a playground for rock climbers from late June to mid-September and an adventure-skier's dream from December through May. The 33,720-acre park is open year-round, although 40 feet of annual snowfall blocks ground access in winter; admission is free. For more information, contact British Columbia's Kootenay District Parks Office (250-422-4200; www.elp.gov.bc.ca/bcparks).

Getting There: From Golden, British Columbia, follow Highway 95 about 40 miles south to Brisco; from there, a gravel logging road leads you 38 miles west to the park's entrance (and only official trailhead). Round-trip flights between New York and Calgary (185 miles east of the park) start at $482 (all prices in U.S. dollars) on Air Canada (888-247-2262; www.aircanada.ca).

Where to Stay: The Conrad Kain Hut, the only sheltered lodging within the park, is a three-hour hike (3.5 miles with a 2,100-foot vertical gain) from the parking lot, on the park's only maintained trail. The hut sleeps 40 and is outfitted with sleeping pads, cooking utensils, and propane stoves. Make reservations up to six months in advance with the Alpine Club of Canada ($14 per person per night; 403-678-3200; www.alpine clubofcanada.ca). You'll find primitive campsites at Boulder Camp, just below the hut, and at Applebea Camp, a half-mile hike north ($3.50 per person per night; no reservation necessary). The only other trails in the park are the well-worn paths between major climbing routes in the southeastern section. Backcountry camping in the fragile alpine tundra is not permitted.

Climbing: Bugaboo Rock: A Climber's Guide, by Randall Green and Joe Bensen ($17, The Mountaineers Books) provides detailed route information and is a must for self-supported climbers. Five- and six-day climbing trips with Yamnuska Inc. (403-678-4164; www.yam nuska .com) and M&W Guides (403-678-2642; www.mwguides .com), both based in Canmore, Alberta, cost $750 to $1,230 per person, including guides, meals, and accommodations at the Kain Hut.

Heli-Hiking: Heli-hiking trips with Banff-based Canadian Mountain Holidays (800-661-0252; www.cmh hike.com) include three days of exploring the alpine ridges on the park perimeter and three nights at CMH's private, 24-room Bugaboo Lodge, near the park entrance. Trips, offered June to September, start at about $1,100 per person.

Ski Touring: Experienced backcountry skiers can explore the Bugs starting in December; you'll need ten to 15 days for the 95-mile BugaboosRogers Pass Traverse, which starts at the Conrad Kain Hut and winds north through the park. Hire a guide for $110 per person per day (three-person minimum) through Yamnuska Inc. (See above.)

Heli-Skiing: Canadian Mountain Holidays (see above) offers seven-day heli-skiing trips in the Bugaboos from December to early May, starting at about $2,700 per person.

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