Nigel Peak

Brief overview

Surrounded by the giants in the area Nigel Peak is mostly ignored except for when the weather decides the big ones are off limits. It offers excellent views of neighbouring Mount Athabasca, Mount Andromeda, Smaller Boundary peak, and A2, Snow Dome, and Mount Kitchener among others. Most approach from the southwest side via the north ridge. 1175 metres of elevation gain.

Getting there

From Banff, take Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, to Lake Louise, then turn north on Highway 93, the Icefield Parkway, to reach the mountain. The trailhead is found just west of Highway 93, 189 kilometers north of Banff . A small Snocoach Road leading to the trailhead is across the highway from the Columbia Icefield Centre, 103 kilometers south of Jasper, Alberta. About 3 Km south of the Columbia Icefields on the Icefields Parkway centre is the Wilcox Campgrounds. Find parking on or near here. Then follow the signed trail to Wilcox pass. Wilcox pass is the route the stagecoaches used to take northward before the building of the Icefields Parkway. The scramble route itself is discribed well in "Dow Williams" Scramble route found to the left of the page. Alan Kane's "Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies" is another usefull source of information. Pages 307-308.

Satellite map

Park fee's and Red tape

While you will not need a permit to do Nigel peak as it is a day trip, if you want to stay in the area remember to: Reserve a campsite up to three months in advance. Contact Parks Canada for more information. If you wish to do some backcountry camping a permit for 8CDN$/night (maximum of 30CDN$) plus a 10CDN$ reservation fee will be required. Under 16 travel for free. All fees are to be paid in advance. Annual wilderness passes are 42CDN$, valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Contact the Jasper Parks Visitor Centre for more information: (780) 852-6176 or check out the Jasper National Park Home Page for trail reports and avalanche reports. A National Park Pass is required if you will be stopping anywhere in Jasper National Park. 8CDN$ per person or 16CDN$ per vehicle.

Open campfires are not allowed anywhere in Jasper National Park, except at approved campsites.

Guiding services and the Alpine Club of Canada

While you should not need a guide for this peak should you stay in the area to do other peaks and require the services of a guide, there are a number of number of licensed guide services throughout the area. Joining or contacting the Alpine Club of Canada can be useful. The Alpine Club's Edmonton Section The Alpine Club’s Calgary Section The Canadian Avalanche Association is an excellent source of current avalanche information. The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides can provide you with information regarding guide services. They include services from groups such as Yamnuska Mountaineering, Inc.

Emergency contact numbers

Emergency phone numbers for Jasper National Park Royal Canadian Mountain Police (780) 852-4848. P.O. Box 1800 600 Pyramid Lake Road, Jasper, AB. Jasper Hospital (780) 852-3344 518 Robson St. Jasper, AB. Fire & Ambulance (780) 852-3100 Jasper Firehall, Patricia St. Jasper, AB. Park Warden Office (780) 852-6155 / 56 Maligne Rd. Jasper, AB. (km 2) Sunwapta Park Warden Station (780 )852-6181 Mile 45, Highway 93 (Icefield Parkway) Pobotkan Creek Warden Station (780) 852-5383 Highway 93 (Icefield Parkway) Search and Rescue (780) 852-3100 Jasper, AB Emergency calls: Jasper Park Warden (780) 852-3100 or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at (780) 852-4848.

Links to other activites in the area

• <TARGET=_blank>Edmonton Section>Alpine Club of Canada Edmonton Section Services, programs, trips, memberships, information
• <TARGET=_blank>Calgary Section>Alpine Club of Canada Calgary Section Services, programs,trips,memberships,information
• <TARGET=_blank>Columbia Icefield Visitors' Centre> - Columbia Icefield Visitors' Centre Home Page Comprehensive listings, features, services and tourist information
• <TARGET=_blank>Columbia Icefield Chalet>Columbia Icefield Chalet/Hotel Located on the top floor of the Columbia Icefield Visitors" Centre, this well-appointed hotel offers all the comforts of a modern new hotel, in the austere surroundings of the Columbia Icefield and it's awesome surrounding peaks.
• <TARGET=_blank>Snocoach glacier tours>Brewster Snocoach Glacier Excursions This page contains information for snocoach tours onto the Athabasca Glacier, as well as pricing and other related information
• <TARGET=_blank>Glacier Ski Tours>Ski Touring the Athabasca Glacier Veteran climber and Alpine Club of Canada member Marcus Kellerhals leads ski tour groups onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield. Information is available on this page.
• Backpacking Jasper National Park>Backpacking Information This page gives information about backpacking areas and regulations in Jasper National Park.
• Parks Canada Fee Page - Jasper National Park>Parks Canada fees for National Park Access and Activities
• Jasper National Park Home Page>The Home Page for Jasper National Park
• Environment Canada Website>Environment Canada Complete weather reports, alerts, forecasts, satellite imaging, and more. An invaluable resource to anyone planning a trip to Mt. Athabasca or the Columbia Icefield area.
• <TARGET=_blank>Hostelling International> Home page for the Hostelling International organization in Alberta. Complete information on locations, services, prices and other information
• Parks Canada> Home page for Parks Canada, with links to all areas of Park Canada services and information
• <TARGET=_blank>avalanche.org/> Home page for avalanche.org/ Avalanche reports, warnings and alerts, links, news
• <TARGET=_blank>The Canadian Rockies.com> The home page for The Canadian Rockies.com, with information on hiking, scrambling, trekking and backpacking in the Canadian Rockies
• <TARGET=_blank>current climbing conditions> Up-to-date weather reports, climbing conditions and other valuable information for climbers, outdoor enthusiasists and backcountry users, By Rescue Dynamics of Edmonton, AB
• <TARGET=_blank>Rescue Dynamics> Home page for Rescue Dynamics, an Edmonton, AB company specializing in high angle mountain rescue, guiding, weather reports and conditions, mountain first aid, courses, gear recall information and other links
• <TARGET=_blank>Canadian Avalanche Association> Website for the Canadian Avalanche Association. Avalanche forecasting, news, alerts, and other information
• <TARGET=_blank>ACC Accident History> ACC Mountaineering accident history in the Canadian Rockies.
• <TARGET=_blank>Calgary Mountain Club> Home page for the Calgary Mountain Club, a pioneer institution in the history of Canadian mountaineering
• <TARGET=_blank>Dave's Alpine Climbing> Website for climber and photographer Dave Stephens, with trip reports, images and more.
• <TARGET=_blank>Weather Underground five day forecast for Jasper, AB.> Weather Underground report on weather, 5 day forecast and much more for the Jasper area.