- Climbers Larry Shiu, 30, and Jonathan Fox, 30, are shown scaling colossal frozen ice structure in Alberta region
- Dramatic pics were captured by adventure photographer John Price using a Canon 6D Camera
- One foot wrong can mean death and temperatures plummet to minus 7 degrees centigrade in Ghost River Valley
- The area is popular with adrenalin junkies seeking to climb 1,000ft frozen walls, although fatalities are not uncommon
The Ghost River Valley in the Canadian
Rockies of Alberta is a Mecca for experienced climbers, providing some
of the longest, most beautifully ethereal and lethal climbing spots in
the world.
Temperatures
can drop to as low as minus seven degrees centigrade in the
glacier-sliced valley and frozen waterfalls stretch from 100 to 1,000
feet for brave climbers to try and scale.
This
series of incredible photographs show experienced mountaineers Larry
Shiu, 30, and Jonathan Fox, 30, scaling a monstrous 300 foot frozen
waterfall called the 'Rainbow Serpent'.
Keeping cool: One of the climbers gets a foot hold on the 300ft frozen slab of ice called 'Rainbow Serpent'
Perspective: The frozen water structures make a dramatic climb for brave and experienced climbers
The
slippery nature of the natural ice structure means both men know that
one foot wrong could mean the difference between life and death.
Adventure
photographer John, from Canberra, Australia, said: 'The conditions at
Ghost River Valley are always challenging, ice climbing is exposed, cold
and often wet.
'It can be very hard at times, there is suffering no doubt.'
The
team used basic climbing gear including ice axes, ice screws, head
torches and harnesses and managed to complete their expedition safely
reaching the summit. John used a Canon 6D camera to take the stomach
churning aerial shots of the climbers digging their toes and axes in
along the way.
Don't look down: Both men know that one foot wrong could mean the difference between life and death
Where's Wally? The waterfalls in the Canadian Alberta region are so colossal that it can be hard to pick out climbers from afar
The
Ghost River Valley, part of the Canadian Rockies, consists of 60 square
miles of raw wilderness bordering Banff National Park to the east and
north. The glacier carved valley contains several sites where steep
water runoffs from its peaks produce some of the best waterfall ice
climbs in Canada.
The
Rainbow Serpent, which is approximately 300 feet tall, is widely
considered to be the most challenging frozen waterfall to climb in Ghost
Valley. Only the most experienced climbers are advised to attempt it.
These structures form when snow accumulating above settles, then slowly melts and refreezes while dripping down the wall
John
says, 'The climbs are not there year round, only in the winter. They
are formed by what is called a 'melt freeze cycle' where snow
accumulating above will settle, then slowly melt and refreeze while
dripping down the wall.
'That
is how these giant ice climbs are formed. They are not all necessarily
flowing waterfalls in summertime and some of these climbs never form and
will go years without appearing.'
A long way to the bottom: A birds eye view of the slab of ice as one of the climbers nears a summit
Bare necessities: The group used basic climbing gear including ice axes, ice screws, head torches and harnesses
Surely
a cumbersome camera adds to a precious load? 'It takes motivation,
sometimes you just want to climb and leave the camera at home, switch
off and just enjoy the day but I love photographing climbing, it is my
strongest passion in life after climbing,' says John.
'Combining
these two passions inspires me deeply and I love capturing the greatest
moments of my life and telling stories of both the unique places and
the climbers.'
Ice climbing can be a risky activity, with dangerous climbs often resulting in fatality.
Last month, Australian Michael Taylor, 29, plummeted more than 300m to his death while climbing a glacier in Canada.
It
is believed the mountaineer was using minimal climbing equipment when
attempting to scale the Stadium Glacier on Sky Pilot Mountain in
Squamish, Vancouver.
The man with the cam: Self portrait of John Price who took the stomach churning snaps
Larry Shiu digs in to the slippery wet surface while another climber watches from below
Vertical drop: 'It can be very hard at times, there is suffering no doubt' says John, an adventurer photographer
Long lengths of rope are used to attach climbers. Some expeditions in this area have led to fatalities.
Ghost River Valley offers adventurers
100 to 1,000 ft vertical climbs in conditions which can dip below seven
degrees centigrade
Worth it: The views in the Canadian Rockies are spectacular
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