Green Monster

BOU AVENUE
Green Monster

Given poor ski conditions and overcast weather on 24 February 2024, Zosia Zgolak suggested that we go for a hike to visit the Green Monster, an icefall located along Evan-Thomas Creek in Alberta's Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park. Presumably named after the famous left field wall at Boston's Fenway Park, the Green Monster is a huge curtain of ice which exhibits a distinct greenish hue and was first successfully climbed in 2008 by local mountaineers, Kevin Barton and Jason Wilcox. The icefall is among many other ice climbing routes in the vicinity which are well-documented by Barton (Old School WB) in summitpost.org, but in recent years, the Green Monster has attracted the attention of an increasing number of hikers and tourists thanks largely to numerous postings on social media and personal blog sites. Joining us on this day were Daniel Dufresne, Chester Fitchett, Iga Libera, and Aga Sokolowska.

Starting from the Evan-Thomas trailhead (50.893499, -115.133855), Daniel, Chester, Iga, Aga, Zosia and I hiked the wide trail which runs southward along Evan-Thomas Creek. Reaching a crossroad about 1.6 kilometres from the trailhead, we turned right and descended to the open flats of the creek bed. Here, we turned left to follow a well-broken trail in the snow running more or less beside the creek. Although there were still occasional sections of open water throughout the length of the trail alongside the creek, all snow bridges felt secure and safe to cross on this day. As we progressed up the creek, we entered a canyon with periodic icefalls spilling over impressive cliffs. This is a far more scenic route than the summer trail which runs higher up the east bank of the creek but is completely cloaked in forest. About 2.3 kilometres after entering the creek bed, we passed a junction with a trail that ultimately connects with the summer trail high above the creek. Ignoring this connector trail for the time being, we continued following the creek and soon arrived at a narrowing of the canyon. Steep ice here makes it impractical to continue along the bottom of the canyon, but a bypass trail has been cut on the left (north) side of the creek. There is some exposure along the bypass trail, and even though there are chains and fixed ropes for support, the slippery footing can make the traverse a little intimidating (ice cleats strongly recommended). The bypass trail is also a natural bottleneck and can become congested with hikers coming and going in both directions. Fortunately, we did not have an inordinately long wait here and managed to drop back safely into the creek bed without any mishaps. The remaining hike to the Green Monster was straightforward. Not surprisingly, there were a lot of hikers congregating there with many of them lining up to take a turn at scrambling into a small gap behind the impressive ice curtain. Instead of waiting in the queue, we found a comfortable spot to enjoy snacks and refreshments while watching some ice climbers in action.

For our return trip, Daniel, Chester, Iga, Aga, Zosia and I backtracked along the canyon and once again made it safely across the bypass traverse. Upon returning to the aforementioned junction, we opted to take the connector trail up to the summer trail. This added some extra elevation gain, but the ascent was not overly strenuous. After intersecting the summer trail, we turned left and followed it out to the first crossroad to complete a loop. Aside from dodging some deadfall, we had no trouble hiking this somewhat long and monotonous section of trail, but as we reached the crossroad, everyone except for myself strangely started to cough all of a sudden. As we soon learned, some other hikers at the crossroad were inexplicably testing their bear spray just as we arrived. I was lucky to be far enough behind to not be affected, but it took a little while for the rest of my friends to clear their heads. Fortunately, there were no lasting effects, and the remainder of our walk back to the trailhead was uneventful.

Ski conditions suck right now, so that's why we're hiking! Chester, Iga, Aga, Daniel and Zosia pause on a bridge not far after the turnoff from a crossroad.

Why is there a picnic table here? The group enters the frozen bed of Evan-Thomas Creek. Visible at distant right is The Wedge.

Test those snow bridges! There are still some sections of open water along Evan-Thomas Creek.

A surprisingly good climber!
A long-tailed weasel scrambles among the rocks on a cliff face.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

No one climbing here today though! The group stops to admire Chantilly Falls (WI2) which is a popular ice climbing objective.

More scenic than the summer trail! The hike along Evan-Thomas Creek is surprisingly scenic.

Ice looks pretty thin... A steep side trail leads to the base of three ice climbing routes--(L to R) Moonlight (WI4), Snowline (WI4) and 2 Low 4 Zero (M5).

Those afraid of heights and exposure should stop here! The route climbs up to the left here at this narrowing of the canyon.

Later on, some hiker actually went for a Polar Bear swim in the water! The group poses in front of the narrowest part of the canyon. Steep ice makes it impractical to proceed up the creek this way.

It can get congested with people here! The group climbs up a trail which bypasses the narrow part of the canyon.

Use caution especially if the trail is icy! This ledge is the most exposed section of the bypass route.

Another major bottleneck when it's busy... Fixed ropes aid in the steep descent back into the creek bed.

FA by Kevin Barton & Tony Barton in March 1995. Zosia checks out a short icefall known as B2 (WI3-).

FA by Kevin Barton & Jason Wilcox 5 January 2008. A couple of climbers gear up below the icefall known as Slurpee (WI4).

You could spend all day climbing here...if that's your thing! Numerous other ice and mixed climbing routes can be found along this stretch of cliffs known as Rehab Wall.

It's a bit of a zoo here... The group finally arrives at the Green Monster (WI4+).

Simply spectacular.

The first ascent of the Green Monster was done by Kevin Barton and Jason Wilcox on 5 January 2008.

	The group poses in front of the Green Monster.
	The group hikes back out the same way.
	The group climbs back up the fixed ropes. Note the figures traversing the exposed ledges at far left.
	Zosia and Aga traverse the exposed ledge a second time.
	Iga, Zosia and Aga descend the final section of the bypass route.
	The group takes an alternate route for the return to the trailhead.
	Total Distance: 14.7 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 5 hours 8 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 370 metres GPX Data

	Chester, Iga, Aga, Daniel and Zosia pause on a bridge not far after the turnoff from a crossroad.
	The group enters the frozen bed of Evan-Thomas Creek. Visible at distant right is The Wedge.
	There are still some sections of open water along Evan-Thomas Creek.
	A long-tailed weasel scrambles among the rocks on a cliff face. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The group stops to admire Chantilly Falls (WI2) which is a popular ice climbing objective.
	The hike along Evan-Thomas Creek is surprisingly scenic.
	A steep side trail leads to the base of three ice climbing routes--(L to R) Moonlight (WI4), Snowline (WI4) and 2 Low 4 Zero (M5).
	The route climbs up to the left here at this narrowing of the canyon.
	The group poses in front of the narrowest part of the canyon. Steep ice makes it impractical to proceed up the creek this way.
	The group climbs up a trail which bypasses the narrow part of the canyon.
	This ledge is the most exposed section of the bypass route.
	Fixed ropes aid in the steep descent back into the creek bed.
	Zosia checks out a short icefall known as B2 (WI3-).
	A couple of climbers gear up below the icefall known as Slurpee (WI4).
	Numerous other ice and mixed climbing routes can be found along this stretch of cliffs known as Rehab Wall.
	The group finally arrives at the Green Monster (WI4+).