Camping and Backpacking in Jasper National Park
There are campgrounds located in the area, mainly on Highway 16, but many are often full to capacity during the summer months, and especially on long weekends. Travellers would be advised to check a map of Alberta for the locations of various campgrounds in the area. Overnight fees of $18 a night are typical. Many campgrounds feature showers and power hookups. Open fires are sometimes not allowed due to forest fire hazard conditions; the area has been hit by several large forest fires in recent years.
There is a backpacking information page available, just click on this link: Backpacking Jasper National Park. Another good site with information on hiking, trekking, scrambling and backpacking in the Canadian Rockies isThe Canadian Rockies.com .
Hostelling International runs a chain of excellent, low-cost hostels which provide accomodations at several convenient locations close to popular climbing and touring sites. The facilities range in description from "rustic", with bunkhouse-style sleeping quarters, to "very comfortable", with private family rooms. A hostel is located in the town of Jasper. Reservations should be made well in advance.
There are campgrounds located in the area, mainly on Highway 16, but many are often full to capacity during the summer months, and especially on long weekends. Travellers would be advised to check a map of Alberta for the locations of various campgrounds in the area. Overnight fees of $18 a night are typical. Many campgrounds feature showers and power hookups. Open fires are sometimes not allowed due to forest fire hazard conditions; the area has been hit by several large forest fires in recent years.
There is a backpacking information page available, just click on this link: Backpacking Jasper National Park. Another good site with information on hiking, trekking, scrambling and backpacking in the Canadian Rockies is
Roche Miette - Miscellaneous Information
The north and west cliffs of Roche Miette combine to form one of the largest limestone faces in North America. The rock on these faces is generally of good quality, but the scramble route features difficult terrain that is rotten, loose and chossy. Every hold must be tested, and the scramble route is subject to mild exposure for the last thousand vertical feet. Long, dangerous falls could result from a hold breaking off or a slip on the endless loose scree along the route. This peak is located in the Athabasca River Valley, southwest of Mountain Creek and northwest of Rocky River. The major headwater is the Athabasca River, located west of the mountain.
The most commonly visited summit is not at the edge of the large cliffs as it would appear but is actually several hundred feet south and about 200 vertical feet higher than the top ledges of the huge cliffs. The cliffs can be accessed from the summit by means of a winding, often sketchy trail that meanders its way down to the west of the summit. The cliff ledges should not be approached too closely; ledges are often sloping, covered in loose scree and rotten rock, and a long, fatal fall could be the result if a safe distance is not maintained from them. With regards to winter climbs, theCanadian Avalanche Association is an excellent source of current avalanche information.
Topographic and GPS coordinates
The Google Earth website lists topographic and GPS coordinates derived by satellite measurement for Roche Miette as follows:
Main Climbing Summit53 deg 09 min 53.02 sec N / -117 deg 55 min 116.20 sec W
(GPS) 53.164728 N / -117.921167 W
Note The true summit is far to the south and rarely if ever accessed due to its unstable condition.
Panorama scene
I have linked an excellent 360-degree moving panoramic view of Roche Miette by Eddie Wong, seen on the Explore Jasper website. This is a panorama view from the saddle of the mountain between the Shoulder and the Northeast Face. To see this panorama, click on the link listed below. When the Explore Jasper website comes up, scroll down to see the 360-degree view.
Explore Jasper website with Roche Miette saddle panorama
Thanks to Mr. Wong for producing this beautiful scene with photos taken during his climb of Roche Miette's Northeast Ridge.
Map by Rocky Mountain Books
The north and west cliffs of Roche Miette combine to form one of the largest limestone faces in North America. The rock on these faces is generally of good quality, but the scramble route features difficult terrain that is rotten, loose and chossy. Every hold must be tested, and the scramble route is subject to mild exposure for the last thousand vertical feet. Long, dangerous falls could result from a hold breaking off or a slip on the endless loose scree along the route. This peak is located in the Athabasca River Valley, southwest of Mountain Creek and northwest of Rocky River. The major headwater is the Athabasca River, located west of the mountain.
The most commonly visited summit is not at the edge of the large cliffs as it would appear but is actually several hundred feet south and about 200 vertical feet higher than the top ledges of the huge cliffs. The cliffs can be accessed from the summit by means of a winding, often sketchy trail that meanders its way down to the west of the summit. The cliff ledges should not be approached too closely; ledges are often sloping, covered in loose scree and rotten rock, and a long, fatal fall could be the result if a safe distance is not maintained from them. With regards to winter climbs, the
Topographic and GPS coordinates
The Google Earth website lists topographic and GPS coordinates derived by satellite measurement for Roche Miette as follows:
Main Climbing Summit
Panorama scene
I have linked an excellent 360-degree moving panoramic view of Roche Miette by Eddie Wong, seen on the Explore Jasper website. This is a panorama view from the saddle of the mountain between the Shoulder and the Northeast Face. To see this panorama, click on the link listed below. When the Explore Jasper website comes up, scroll down to see the 360-degree view.
Thanks to Mr. Wong for producing this beautiful scene with photos taken during his climb of Roche Miette's Northeast Ridge.
Map by Rocky Mountain Books
Disclaimer - Hazard Warning
Remember that you are in bear country here; common sense must be followed with regards to food storage and approaching these animals. Generally, if you make lots of noise on the trail they will leave your area for a quieter area. Mountain lions are known to frequent this mountain, and recorded attacks by mountain lions have resulted in human fatalities in Alberta's National Parks. I have personally been followed by a large adult mountain lion high on the shoulder at the col area, far above tree line.
The Alpine Club'sEdmonton Section and Calgary Section both conduct an excellent mountaineering orientation program, which prepares novices for their initiation to mountaineering.
Instruction is done by top-notch volunteer members with many years of experience. The program includes theory and practical training in crevasse and rock rescue, subjective and objective hazards, mountain conditions and weather, clothing, ropework, use of technical equipment and personal gear, mountain safety and other relevant subjects. Avalanche awareness courses are available, as well as both summer and winter trips for members. The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides can provide information regarding guide services for those who wish to retain a guide.
Climbing is dangerous. Climb at your own risk.
Remember that you are in bear country here; common sense must be followed with regards to food storage and approaching these animals. Generally, if you make lots of noise on the trail they will leave your area for a quieter area. Mountain lions are known to frequent this mountain, and recorded attacks by mountain lions have resulted in human fatalities in Alberta's National Parks. I have personally been followed by a large adult mountain lion high on the shoulder at the col area, far above tree line.
The Alpine Club's
Instruction is done by top-notch volunteer members with many years of experience. The program includes theory and practical training in crevasse and rock rescue, subjective and objective hazards, mountain conditions and weather, clothing, ropework, use of technical equipment and personal gear, mountain safety and other relevant subjects. Avalanche awareness courses are available, as well as both summer and winter trips for members. The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides can provide information regarding guide services for those who wish to retain a guide.
Climbing is dangerous. Climb at your own risk.
Roche Miette Acknowledgements and Photo Credits
The information contained on the Roche Miette mountain page has been compiled by Henry Timmer, a Canadian citizen, mountaineer and adventurer currently residing in Sacramento, California, USA. To make comments, corrections, additions or inquiries, contact me atclimbwild@hotmail.com
The text of this mountain page is based on the experiences, research and writing of Henry Timmer and is protected by copyright. All photos seen on this page are the property of Henry Timmer.
The information contained on the Roche Miette mountain page has been compiled by Henry Timmer, a Canadian citizen, mountaineer and adventurer currently residing in Sacramento, California, USA. To make comments, corrections, additions or inquiries, contact me at
The text of this mountain page is based on the experiences, research and writing of Henry Timmer and is protected by copyright. All photos seen on this page are the property of Henry Timmer.