LAKE LOUISE – Mount Temple has claimed a woman’s life in Banff National Park.
The woman, in her 30s, and a male companion, both from Calgary, were climbing a popular scrambling route on Mount Temple Friday afternoon. They began their descent when conditions began to deteriorate around 2:30 p.m.
“There were bigger winds, there was some snowfall, there was a bit of rain,” says Steve Holeczi, safety visitor specialist with Banff National Park. “The partner went off the route to check for another way down.”
That’s when the man started sliding down part of the mountain. He managed to regain his footing but called for help after watching his partner disappear from view.
It seems the woman in her 30s somehow slipped, while the man watched her slide out of view. The man was airlifted out of the area. The woman was later found dead.
RCMP suggest heavy snowfall and high winds were a factor in the fall. The man was airlifted from Mount Temple.
Medical examiners are assisting RCMP from Lake Louise in the investigation.
It’s unclear how much hiking experience the couple had. Experts tell Global News they routinely bring harnesses and rope along on the scramble.
Carole Blais hiked Mt. Temple last weekend and said early fall conditions are poor.
“It was pretty snowy in a lot of bits. It was pretty slippery just because of the slush and the wetness and the rock underneath.”
Mt. Temple is located in the Bow River Valley between Paradise Creek and Moraine Creek. It is the highest peak in the Lake Louise area.
With files from Canadian Press.
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