Mt. Temple SW Ridge (AB)

[Tom Amaral]

On Wednesday, August 21, 2013, I set out with the intention of establishing an FKT on the popular SW ridge route of iconic Mount Temple (3544m/11627') in Banff National Park. Research regarding previous speed ascents turned up nothing* and the scramble guide for the area puts the estimated time for the route at 7-12 hours. The peak requires 1690m/5544' of elevation gain. Based on an ascent two days previous, I planned to climb to the summit and return to the trailhead in five or six hours; my roundtrip time, trailhead-to-trailhead, was 3h44m22s.

Splits:
00:00 Moraine Lake trailhead sign
00:59 Sentinel Pass
02:18 Temple summit
03:08 Sentinel Pass
03:44 Moraine Lake trailhead sign

Mapmyrun log + GPS track (GPS track slightly screwed up but overall time is correct)

*Update 04/09/13: The Alpine Club of Canada has no record of previous timed ascents of Mount Temple.


Mount Temple southwest ridge route

[Cal Neff]

Nice one, been meaning to put this together for a few years now but the annual trail restrictions(July 12 - October 8) due to grizzly habitat always overlap the good conditions... I see you ignored that sign... Good thing you had no trouble with neither the rangers or the bears!

I know Will Gadd, Scott Semple, and Will's dog "Chilli Dog" completed the route in 4:10 but have not heard of any other speed attempts.

[michaelbburke]

On Sunday August 7, on my drive home to Vancouver, I stopped for a run up Mt Temple. I was inspired by the reports of other fast ascents (Tom Amaral, Will Gadd et al...) and these stories provided the inspiration I needed to try for a sub 4 hour run. This was my first time up Mt Temple and I was lucky to have great conditions on the mountain and excellent weather. My time may be the FKT although I have to wonder if some local runners have done it faster? With no minimum group size required on the trail to Sentinel Pass this year, and the route in very good condition, it's a perfect time to do a fast run.

Splits...
Sentinel Pass: 55 minutes
Summit: 2 hours and 30 seconds, give or take a few seconds

Round trip, from the trailhead sign/kiosk in the parking lot: 3:21:43

Strava link here: www.strava.com/activities/668289412/overview

After tagging the summit I took the "summit photos" down below the snow line with a few guys that had hiked up. I ran solo/self supported and carried plenty of emergency gear including bear spray.

In my mind this is a perfect mountain run - a great combination of run-able terrain down lower and fun scrambling on the upper mountain, leading to the highest summit in the area. A sub 3 hour time is totally doable, especially for someone who is fast on the descents, so get after it!

[Andy Reed]

Adam Campbell and I, inspired by the quick times posted here, and by Michael's advice to go get after it, decided to go for a quick time on Mt Temple today (August 20, 2016). We got an early start to beat the crowds and were blessed with good weather.

Splits: Sentinel Pass - 00:45; Summit 1:46:45
Round Trip time from parking lot: 2:42:08

Strava Link: www.strava.com/activities/683222553

[michaelbburke]

Nice run Andy and Adam! I knew sub 3 hours would be doable but wow, that's really setting the bar high. Way to go!

[Tom Amaral]

Amazing work to everyone who has contributed to this objective! Andy and Adam, that is indeed a high bar you set.

Mount Temple Duathlon RT from Banff

On Aug. 26, 2016, I rode my bike from Banff, ascended/descended Mount Temple via the SW ridge, then rode back to Banff in 13h56m. This trip was solo and unsupported, carrying all my food and gear for the day myself. I was very much inspired by Longs Peak du/triathalon to give this a shot.

I started and stopped my watch at my apartment on Cave Ave., but this only adds a few minutes to the overall time from downtown Banff. My splits are as follows:

01h36m Castle Junction
03h01m Lake Louise Village
04h36m Moraine Lake (T1)
05h59m Sentinel Pass
07h52m Mt. Temple summit
09h31m Sentinel Pass
10h14m Moraine Lake (T2)
10h57m Lake Louise Village
12h27m Castle Junction
13h56m Banff

Movescount link
Strava link

[Ming]

I do not recommend try to set a record, it is not safe. Instead, break the world record for 5k, 10k, 100k on the road would be better.

May I ask how fast can Andy Reed run 5k at sea level or the 400m track? I think he maybe able to do it for under 14 minutes. The world record is (12:37.35): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5000_metres_world_record_progression

[seano]

On July 24, 2017, I went up Temple's East ridge and down the SW ridge, with a time of 3h40m up and 4h55m to the Moraine Lake parking lot. Strava link, trip report.

[Tom Amaral]

On July 13, 2017 I completed, for the second time, the Mount Temple Duathlon, riding 75kms from the town of Banff to Moraine Lake, climbing Mount Temple via the SW ridge, then riding back. Though this trip was solo and meant to be unsupported, I was required to receive support in the form of bicycle repair at Moraine Lake. My total time was 11h56m. Splits are as follows:

04h00m Moraine Lake
06h49m Temple summit
08h15m Moraine Lake
11h56m Banff

Hope my math is correct. Otherwise Movescount data here and here, Strava data here [1][2][3][4]

[Tom Amaral]

July 26, 2017, I took another crack at the Mt. Temple FKT trailhead to trailhead. My total time was 02h15m50s. Splits:

00h42m Sentinel Pass
01h26m Temple summit
02h15m Moraine Lake TH sign

Movescount | Strava

[benrempel]

Amazing time Tom! Am honestly just curious why your GPS show more than 9,000 feet of vert gained? I've done this run a few times and my GPS always shows 5200 - 5300 feet gained.

[Tom Amaral]

I responded to Ben's inquiry personally but the short answer is that during the period when I went for the Temple FKT, my Suunto watch was messing up and recording vert as much more than I would actually climb.

On Aug. 26, 2017 I took another crack at the Temple Duathlon roundtrip from Banff. Temple wasn't my objective when I left on my bike that morning, but I ended up riding to Moraine Lake, climbing Temple via the SW ridge and riding back to Banff unsupported in 10h05m. Utilizing the Trans-Canada Highway as opposed to Hwy 1A -- plus presumably improved fitness -- is mostly responsible for the improved time.

Splits:
03h34m Moraine Lake
05h52m Temple summit
07h24m Moraine Lake
10h05m Banff

Movescount data here.