jonathan noel - Aug 10, 2021 6:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2021
Kain face
Summited the 4 August 22:30, Approach by Patterson"s Spur via Kain Face.
The whole summit was icy after Kain face the climb for the summit took us 27h because we protect the ascent, it was super slow.
14h50 car-to-car using the Patterson Spur approach (recommended) and SW face descent (ugh). Difficult conditions, notably two tricky bergschrund crossings getting from Robson-Resplendent col to the upper face. Trip report.
nuttelmc - Sep 2, 2014 6:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2014
Mount Robson
Successfully summited Mount Robson on 8/5/14 at around 7:30 am. Started at the Dome at 3:30 am, topped out on the Kain Face at 5:30 am. Descent took 4.5 hours, the Kain Face was pretty scary and soft/dripping! Day 1 - trailhead to the moraine (3 miles past Berg Lake); Day 2 - to The Dome via R-R col; Day 3 - summit then packed up and back to moraine; Day 4 - back to trailhead. Awesome adventure, we got lucky with the weather!
seano - Aug 19, 2014 4:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2014
South face
Well, I *think* I summited...
Being solo, I took the direct finish (AI2-ish) to avoid crevasses, climbing into a white-out. I found some older tracks and what seemed like the high-point, then spent a scary couple of hours downclimbing the glacier and icefall in near-zero visibility. About 15h10 car-to-car, but it could have been much quicker in ideal conditions. Trip report.
Climbed in August 1955 with friends from the Bruin Mountaineers (UCLA) -- Ralph Kahl and Roy Bishop (both now deceased) and Jim Burrows (not from UCLA). Ascended 1200-foot packed snow wall northeast of summit. Arrived at summit at 4:30 PM. Descended the wall at night with green aurora borealis sparkling, and a red eclipsed moon (which can give you the exact date).
Wow, this has to be the longest interval between summiting and posting on all of Summitpost! Congratulations! (59 years late.) Sorry but there was no lunar eclipse in Aug, 1955, so we can't find your summit date.
bdynkin - Sep 13, 2011 10:17 am Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2011
Kain Face, ridge approach
Hiked to Berg Lake, next day to the Extinguisher tower campsites via fun seracs jumping. Next morning approached Mousetrap and did not like it. Continued to Robson-Resplendid Col and camped there. Climbed to the Dome via a spectacular knife-edge snow and rock gendarmes ridge. Next day climbed Kain Face in warm conditions with soft and sloppy snow: dubious protection, exhausting but easy climbing. Summited around 1pm. No ice on the summit “roof” due to high snow year. Rappelled Kain face in the afternoon when the face was in the shadow. Continued warm temps made the return via the Robson-Resplendid ridge scary. Weakened snow bridges on the glaciers were also problematic. Went as a team of 5 (2 rope teams), all summited!
klwagar - Aug 15, 2010 4:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2010
little robson
Got as far as Little Robson up the SSW route. Ice seracs crashing down, lots of rain, little visibility, and the ledges were horribly wet and icy. All decided to wait another day.
FlatheadJim - Jul 3, 2009 4:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2002
Robson / Kain Face
Heli into Rearguard Meadows and walked through the mousetrap to the Dome on Day 1. On Day 2, up at 0230, on top by 1100 or so and back to the Dome, totally beat, by 1700.
The day dawned clear, but complete whiteout on top.
Brad Marshall - Aug 28, 2007 7:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2007
Bad Weather
Poor weather prevented an ascent of either the North or Kain Faces. Tent bound for three days allowed plenty of time for reflection on the decisions we made.
chris_goulet - Sep 29, 2006 11:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2006
22-Year Mount Robson Dream Comes True (Kain Face)
Mount Robson infected me on first sight. It soon became obvious that climbing her is far more difficult and hazardous than any mountain I had ever experienced. Over the years, it was one humiliating defeat after another. Thus the notoriously low summiting rate for attempts on Robson: only 10%. Mount Robson became a state of mind, an obsession. I did some 'side trips' for training, like climbing beautiful Mount Resplendent, Robson’s neighbour. After three weather days on the Dome, it was a dream come true! Six expeditions and endless training and preparation paid off to realizing the hardest, finest, most mind-blowing climb of my life. Also see the trip report: "22-Year Mount Robson Dream Comes True"
jpleonhard - Sep 13, 2006 4:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2003
North Face
Climbed the North Face with K. Sorenson, T. Haines, and C. Coulson. We even decided to spend a few nights on top. (see mtnman455's trip report)
Route Climbed: Kain Face, Alpine IV Date Climbed: September, 1998
This mountain was my introduction to the great Canadian Rockies. We formed a party of 4, 2 Alaskans, 1 climber from Georgia and myself from Nevada at the time. I made the horrible mistake of wearing plastic boots with a 60lb pack the whole way. Needless to say, my heels became hamburger during this trip. By the time we made it to the Dome through the Mousetrap Icefall after two nights of camping en route, we were in all out blizzard conditions. We got the tents up and did not set our watch alarms as we assumed we would be weathered in for at least a day. However, I first awoke to an incredible sunrise over a total cloud cover right below us, surreal scene. The GA climber bowed out for the summit attempt, but the rest of us jumped at the opportunity to throw our crampons and ice axes on and hit the 1000'+ ice wall. We then followed the SE approach to the summit. We returned to the Dome victorious, slept a little and then came all the way out the next day. We came off via the SE ridge, which required quite a few rappels and down climbing. We took 22 hours to arrive back at the parking lot. I revisited the Robson Glacier in April 2003. My wife and I snow shoed up to the Berg Lake cabin. We spent 2 nights at Berg Lake without a soul in sight and had a great wildlife experience. We had lunch at an ice cave in the glacier. This is a great mountain and park.
Route Climbed: Kain Face Date Climbed: August 19, 2003
After a day hike through the beautiful the Berg Lake trail and a traverse of the Robson Glacier our climbing party of three finally reached the bottom of the dome. On the next morning to all our surprise the sky cleared, there was no wind and the visibility was perfect. It was a perfect summit day, which is pretty rare event for Mt. Robson. As most of you might know, Mt. Robson is famous for its terrible weather conditions even during the so called climbing season July-August. The pyramid looking top is almost always covered with some nasty clouds. We start to make our way through the top. It took us only two hours to reach the ridge and we continue to move along the southern ridge in accordance with the Kain Face Route description. Just below the 50 deg ice cliff my climbing partner did not feel well, so wee had to retreat. I was a little bit disappointed, since we misted a perfect summit opportunity, but over all I was very pleased to climb this magnificent mount. I enjoyed the trip even though we did not reach the summit.
Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: August 22, 2003
Climbed with T. Hains, J. Leonhard, C. Coulson, and myself, K. Sorensen. 5.4 to 5.6 rock moves and scree scrambling between Burg and Mist Glacier. No need to protect but scary with big packs and plastic boots. First third of face had great ice, good screw protection. Top two thirds was hard snow and ice covered rock. Couldn't protect with screws, only pickets which made progression slower. Rangers said it was a bad year. Got caught in earlier than expected storm. Couldn't find ridge to Kain Face. Spent two nights on top. Snowed about three feet during 40 hours on top. Bitter freezing temps. Finally had a clear day and made our way down dehydrated and hungry. Read full story in "Trip Reports."
Route Climbed: Kain Face Date Climbed: August 15, 2003
In a long day, we climbed from Rearguard Meadows through the Ice Fall to the Dome, then waited for 2 days in fog and low clouds staring at parts of the Kain Face hoping for a break in the weather. Finally, it began to clear on the 3rd afternoon and we started for the top at around 2 the next morning. The Kain Face was a fabulous 6-pitch climb up snow and ice to the ridge, delicate ridge walk, and then more climbing to the final summit ridge. Wonderful climb when the weather cooperates. We climbed as 3 ropes of 3 to the top and down. Incredible mountain that has impressive size and utterly dominates the surrounding landscape of the Rockies.
Route Climbed: F.A. Infinite Patience, Emperor Face Date Climbed: October 2002
A fantastic route of high quality compared to any of the sort worldwide. It had good rock, ice and pro. We had perfect weather and spent 3 days on the route. It will no doubt become a classic Grande Course route as the objective hazards are low and the climbing superb. Have fun, Eric.
jonathan noel - Aug 10, 2021 6:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2021
Kain faceSummited the 4 August 22:30, Approach by Patterson"s Spur via Kain Face.
The whole summit was icy after Kain face the climb for the summit took us 27h because we protect the ascent, it was super slow.
Awesome trip with my buddy Alexandre Fortin.
seano - Jul 15, 2017 1:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2017
Kain Face14h50 car-to-car using the Patterson Spur approach (recommended) and SW face descent (ugh). Difficult conditions, notably two tricky bergschrund crossings getting from Robson-Resplendent col to the upper face. Trip report.
nuttelmc - Sep 2, 2014 6:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2014
Mount RobsonSuccessfully summited Mount Robson on 8/5/14 at around 7:30 am. Started at the Dome at 3:30 am, topped out on the Kain Face at 5:30 am. Descent took 4.5 hours, the Kain Face was pretty scary and soft/dripping! Day 1 - trailhead to the moraine (3 miles past Berg Lake); Day 2 - to The Dome via R-R col; Day 3 - summit then packed up and back to moraine; Day 4 - back to trailhead. Awesome adventure, we got lucky with the weather!
seano - Aug 19, 2014 4:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2014
South faceWell, I *think* I summited...
Being solo, I took the direct finish (AI2-ish) to avoid crevasses, climbing into a white-out. I found some older tracks and what seemed like the high-point, then spent a scary couple of hours downclimbing the glacier and icefall in near-zero visibility. About 15h10 car-to-car, but it could have been much quicker in ideal conditions. Trip report.
dhstern - Jun 15, 2013 1:43 am
Dr, David H, SternClimbed in August 1955 with friends from the Bruin Mountaineers (UCLA) -- Ralph Kahl and Roy Bishop (both now deceased) and Jim Burrows (not from UCLA). Ascended 1200-foot packed snow wall northeast of summit. Arrived at summit at 4:30 PM. Descended the wall at night with green aurora borealis sparkling, and a red eclipsed moon (which can give you the exact date).
chris_goulet - Mar 6, 2014 12:15 am
Re: Dr, David H, SternWow, this has to be the longest interval between summiting and posting on all of Summitpost! Congratulations! (59 years late.) Sorry but there was no lunar eclipse in Aug, 1955, so we can't find your summit date.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_20th-century_lunar_eclipses
bdynkin - Sep 13, 2011 10:17 am Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2011
Kain Face, ridge approachHiked to Berg Lake, next day to the Extinguisher tower campsites via fun seracs jumping. Next morning approached Mousetrap and did not like it. Continued to Robson-Resplendid Col and camped there. Climbed to the Dome via a spectacular knife-edge snow and rock gendarmes ridge. Next day climbed Kain Face in warm conditions with soft and sloppy snow: dubious protection, exhausting but easy climbing. Summited around 1pm. No ice on the summit “roof” due to high snow year. Rappelled Kain face in the afternoon when the face was in the shadow. Continued warm temps made the return via the Robson-Resplendid ridge scary. Weakened snow bridges on the glaciers were also problematic. Went as a team of 5 (2 rope teams), all summited!
klwagar - Aug 15, 2010 4:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2010
little robsonGot as far as Little Robson up the SSW route. Ice seracs crashing down, lots of rain, little visibility, and the ledges were horribly wet and icy. All decided to wait another day.
FlatheadJim - Jul 3, 2009 4:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2002
Robson / Kain FaceHeli into Rearguard Meadows and walked through the mousetrap to the Dome on Day 1. On Day 2, up at 0230, on top by 1100 or so and back to the Dome, totally beat, by 1700.
The day dawned clear, but complete whiteout on top.
Brad Marshall - Aug 28, 2007 7:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2007
Bad WeatherPoor weather prevented an ascent of either the North or Kain Faces. Tent bound for three days allowed plenty of time for reflection on the decisions we made.
chris_goulet - Sep 29, 2006 11:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2006
22-Year Mount Robson Dream Comes True (Kain Face)Mount Robson infected me on first sight. It soon became obvious that climbing her is far more difficult and hazardous than any mountain I had ever experienced. Over the years, it was one humiliating defeat after another. Thus the notoriously low summiting rate for attempts on Robson: only 10%. Mount Robson became a state of mind, an obsession. I did some 'side trips' for training, like climbing beautiful Mount Resplendent, Robson’s neighbour. After three weather days on the Dome, it was a dream come true! Six expeditions and endless training and preparation paid off to realizing the hardest, finest, most mind-blowing climb of my life. Also see the trip report: "22-Year Mount Robson Dream Comes True"
jpleonhard - Sep 13, 2006 4:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2003
North FaceClimbed the North Face with K. Sorenson, T. Haines, and C. Coulson. We even decided to spend a few nights on top. (see mtnman455's trip report)
ElCapitanKoolAid - May 22, 2006 3:53 am
HumilityA great lesson. even though is a "low" mountain the weather patterns are similar to Aconcagua or other high peaks.
Dow Williams - Jul 12, 2004 4:35 pm
Route Climbed: Kain Face, Alpine IV Date Climbed: September, 1998This mountain was my introduction to the great Canadian Rockies. We formed a party of 4, 2 Alaskans, 1 climber from Georgia and myself from Nevada at the time. I made the horrible mistake of wearing plastic boots with a 60lb pack the whole way. Needless to say, my heels became hamburger during this trip. By the time we made it to the Dome through the Mousetrap Icefall after two nights of camping en route, we were in all out blizzard conditions. We got the tents up and did not set our watch alarms as we assumed we would be weathered in for at least a day. However, I first awoke to an incredible sunrise over a total cloud cover right below us, surreal scene. The GA climber bowed out for the summit attempt, but the rest of us jumped at the opportunity to throw our crampons and ice axes on and hit the 1000'+ ice wall. We then followed the SE approach to the summit. We returned to the Dome victorious, slept a little and then came all the way out the next day. We came off via the SE ridge, which required quite a few rappels and down climbing. We took 22 hours to arrive back at the parking lot. I revisited the Robson Glacier in April 2003. My wife and I snow shoed up to the Berg Lake cabin. We spent 2 nights at Berg Lake without a soul in sight and had a great wildlife experience. We had lunch at an ice cave in the glacier. This is a great mountain and park.
mtnfoto - Dec 16, 2003 6:45 pm
Route Climbed: SSW Ridge Date Climbed: July 1977Highlight of a summer in the Canadian Rockies living,and climbing, out of an old Volkswagon van with my old friend Sheldon (R.I.P.)
Zhenya77 - Oct 5, 2003 4:32 am
Route Climbed: Kain Face Date Climbed: August 19, 2003After a day hike through the beautiful the Berg Lake trail and a traverse of the Robson Glacier our climbing party of three finally reached the bottom of the dome. On the next morning to all our surprise the sky cleared, there was no wind and the visibility was perfect. It was a perfect summit day, which is pretty rare event for Mt. Robson. As most of you might know, Mt. Robson is famous for its terrible weather conditions even during the so called climbing season July-August. The pyramid looking top is almost always covered with some nasty clouds. We start to make our way through the top. It took us only two hours to reach the ridge and we continue to move along the southern ridge in accordance with the Kain Face Route description. Just below the 50 deg ice cliff my climbing partner did not feel well, so wee had to retreat. I was a little bit disappointed, since we misted a perfect summit opportunity, but over all I was very pleased to climb this magnificent mount. I enjoyed the trip even though we did not reach the summit.
mtnman455 - Sep 11, 2003 8:45 pm
Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: August 22, 2003Climbed with T. Hains, J. Leonhard, C. Coulson, and myself, K. Sorensen. 5.4 to 5.6 rock moves and scree scrambling between Burg and Mist Glacier. No need to protect but scary with big packs and plastic boots. First third of face had great ice, good screw protection. Top two thirds was hard snow and ice covered rock. Couldn't protect with screws, only pickets which made progression slower. Rangers said it was a bad year. Got caught in earlier than expected storm. Couldn't find ridge to Kain Face. Spent two nights on top. Snowed about three feet during 40 hours on top. Bitter freezing temps. Finally had a clear day and made our way down dehydrated and hungry. Read full story in "Trip Reports."
jeffn - Sep 7, 2003 6:10 pm
Route Climbed: Kain Face Date Climbed: August 29, 2003Mousetrap on the way up was more interesting than dangerous, as it is portrayed. The way down was a different story but the Serac Fall missed us.
azalea4460 - Aug 20, 2003 1:00 pm
Route Climbed: Kain Face Date Climbed: August 15, 2003In a long day, we climbed from Rearguard Meadows through the Ice Fall to the Dome, then waited for 2 days in fog and low clouds staring at parts of the Kain Face hoping for a break in the weather. Finally, it began to clear on the 3rd afternoon and we started for the top at around 2 the next morning. The Kain Face was a fabulous 6-pitch climb up snow and ice to the ridge, delicate ridge walk, and then more climbing to the final summit ridge. Wonderful climb when the weather cooperates. We climbed as 3 ropes of 3 to the top and down. Incredible mountain that has impressive size and utterly dominates the surrounding landscape of the Rockies.
ericdumerac - Dec 19, 2002 12:47 am
Route Climbed: F.A. Infinite Patience, Emperor Face Date Climbed: October 2002A fantastic route of high quality compared to any of the sort worldwide. It had good rock, ice and pro. We had perfect weather and spent 3 days on the route. It will no doubt become a classic Grande Course route as the objective hazards are low and the climbing superb. Have fun, Eric.