Rainbow Serpent, Recital Hall

Lat/Lon: 51.28720°N / 115.214°W - Click for SATELLITE Image
Rainbow Serpent is one of two WI 6 waterfalls found back in Recital Hall on the north
side of Devils Gap just west of Malignant Mushroom. Rainbow Serpent is comprised
of two pitches of ice for the route itself, some WI 2 to get to the base of the climb, as
well as a WI 4 waterfall called Aquarius en route. There are several short pieces of
solo ice to get to the base of Aquarius. Joe Josephson’s “Waterfall Ice: Climbs in the
Canadian Rockies” guide book references the WI 6 portion of Rainbow Serpent at 75
meters. However, that figure is closer to 100 meters. Either way, it takes two WI 6
pitches to climb Rainbow Serpent. The approach pitch up to the base of the waterfall
itself could be considered WI 2-3 and can be soloed as well. Aquarius, which must
be overcome to get back into Recital Hall is 60 meters of WI 4, and I mean a full 60 to
get to the bolt station at the top, on the right hand side of the wall.

The north side of Devils Gap is below the massive walls of Phantom Crag (aka Devil’
s Fang) which sports some serious summer time rock climbing. Access to Aquarius
and Recital Hall is through a narrow canyon just west of Sunshine, WI 3, and
Malignant Mushroom, WI 5, two pieces of ice that are clearly visible on approach. As
you work your way through the trees and dry river bed in Devil’s Gap heading
northwest, aim for a gully that leads into the canyon just west of Sunshine. As soon
as you find an icy creek bed, you can adorn your crampons and ascend some short
pitches that lead to the base of Aquarius. Only one of these is long enough to require
a rappel on descent. It is the first piece. As you top out, look over to the right and you
will see a significant leaning tree with rap gear.

Continue to the base of Aquarius. You might or might not want to remove your
crampons depending on conditions. Aquarius is an easy WI 4 in my opinion. There
are plenty of rest stops with short steep curtains to overcome in between. There is a
two bolt anchor on your right at the top.

Route Description
Recital Hall (photos) is a spectacular oval bowl that is barely 100 meters in diameter.
Its two routes, although classic in lore, rarely form and often die early in the season
if they do form. Even more rare, another party besides my own chose to climb
Fearful Symmetry, WI 6X while we climbed Rainbow Serpent and thus we took
photos of each others climb (photos). So both of these routes were in fact in January,
2007, although both were broken, with Fearful Symmetry looking suspect.

Rainbow Serpent can only be viewed once you are directly below or across from it in
Recital Hall. This is part of its uniqueness. It is a very aesthetic piece that forms two
long pillars with a bunch of mushrooming support in between. Climb the easy ice to
the lower right corner of the lower pillar. This pillar is typically broken lower down.
Climb the right side edge up to the mushrooming configuration and maneuver your
way back left completely across the pillar and up to a bench of ice below the upper,
steeper pillar. The second will have to navigate the rope through the mushrooms to
avoid climbing over it (photo). Make your station to the far right corner again. From
here head straight up the right sustained edge. This last pitch is definitely the crux
pitch. Once even with the rock above, make your station in the ice for belay and
eventual rappel. It was much easier hooking the lower pillar than the upper one.
On descent it will take two full raps to reach the base of Rainbow Serpent. It will take
four total rappels to get back to the approach.

Essential Gear
Two Ice Tools, Double 60 meter Ropes, 10-12 Ice Screws, YOUR MAMA, Crampons,
Helmet, Warm Clothes, Full Shank Boots, 4W Drive (Preferable), Shovel and
Sleeping Bag, the Ghost can be full of surprises.

Notes: Good times with Lynette and Adam. Lynette is a monster on ice! Live for days
like this, thanks guys..... On Jan 9, both routes were in (Fearful Symmetry). Some of
these photos were from the team across from us climbing Fearful at the same time.