Ice Climbing, Wilderness, and Community in the Ghost River Valley

What is GhostCAMP?

GhostCAMP is more than just an ice climbing trip — it’s a unique, rustic backcountry adventure that pushes the boundaries of exploration and camaraderie in the Canadian Rockies. Nestled in the remote Ghost River Wilderness Area, a provincial park perched on the eastern edge of the Rockies near Calgary, this camp offers climbers a chance to immerse themselves in a landscape shaped by dramatic limestone geology and ancient glaciers.

The Ghost River region is renowned for its high concentration of slot canyons and waterfall gullies, making it a mecca for passionate ice climbers seeking technical and varied routes. But getting there is no small feat: access demands a high clearance 4WD vehicle and a willingness to navigate several challenging river crossings. This adds an element of adventure and exclusivity to the experience, ensuring that only the most dedicated climbers arrive at our camp near the serene and beautiful Valley of the Birds.

The combination of isolation, natural beauty, and the thrill of climbing creates a truly transformative experience — one that reconnects climbers with the raw power of the wilderness and the timeless traditions of alpinism.

GhostCAMP 2016 Overview

Our second annual GhostCAMP in 2016 was an incredible 18-day journey — including one dedicated setup day and 17 days filled with intense ice climbing, laughter, and stories shared around the campfire. We designed the camp with comfort and community in mind. Our dining tent, a sturdy canvas outfitters tent equipped with a wood stove, was the perfect place to gather, warm up, and savor hearty meals after cold days on the ice.

For sleeping arrangements, we offered a cozy Yurtini fitted with cots for six climbers, providing just enough shelter and warmth to recharge for the next day’s adventures. This balance of rugged wilderness and thoughtful accommodations created an atmosphere of camaraderie and rejuvenation.

Beyond the guided climbs, we opened our doors to recreational climbers eager to explore this wild terrain. The dining tent quickly became a lively social hub where climbers exchanged beta, shared challenges, and forged lasting friendships. It was not uncommon for evenings to stretch long into the night, filled with laughter and tales of the day’s ascents.

Our team climbed some of the region’s iconic routes featured in IceLines, including classics such as Weathering Heights, Anorexia Nervosa, GBU (The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly), Dead Bird, Yellow Bird, Seagull, Albatross, This House of Sky, Beowulf, Fang and Fist, Chilkoot Passage, Sorcerer, and Hydrophobia. Each climb offered its own challenges and triumphs, pushing skills and spirits to new heights.

What Are the Best Parts of GhostCAMP?

What truly sets GhostCAMP apart isn’t just the incredible ice climbing or the pristine wilderness — it’s the community and connection built in the middle of nowhere. Hanging out with new friends, sharing the triumphs and trials of steep ice, and gathering in the warm glow of the dining tent are moments that linger long after the trip ends.

GhostCAMP offers an unparalleled opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, immerse yourself in nature’s quiet grandeur, and challenge yourself physically and mentally on some of Canada’s finest ice climbs. Whether you’re carving moves on a steep pillar or swapping stories over a hot meal, the camp embodies the spirit of adventure and the deep joy of climbing in one of the world’s most spectacular settings.

If you crave an authentic backcountry experience where the ice is endless, the wilderness is vast, and the friendships forged are lifelong, GhostCAMP is waiting for you.

For more details and to learn how you can join the adventure, visit our official GhostCAMP page.