💎 They Found a Hidden Ice Wall

Good morning, Bow Valley!

So we’ve been thinking about how to get the BVI community doing something fun for Halloween, and we think we’ve nailed it. Details are below. We hope you’ll dress up and join in, or we’re going to look pretty lame out there by ourselves.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

AT 58, CANMORE’S WILL GADD FINDS HIS GREATEST ICE WALL YET

What’s Happening? After decades of chasing ice worldwide, Canmore’s Will Gadd has found his most remarkable climb just 50 kilometers from home. Hidden deep in the West Rockies, the Wall of Walls is a massive ice fortress visible only from the air. Gadd and partner Kirk Mauthner spent three winters establishing four new routes, now featured in a film premiering November 9 at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival.

Hidden in Plain Sight. Mauthner first spotted the wall from a bush plane, a 300-metre-high curtain of ice invisible from any road or trail. To reach it, the pair spent six hours just getting to the base: logging roads, snowmobiles in the dark, then long ski approaches through avalanche terrain. “It’s the most full-on, intense, radical, complex, and cool climbing zone I’ve ever experienced,” Gadd said. Over thirty approaches, they finally completed routes with names like Relentless, Enduro, and Infinite Gratitude, each graded among the hardest ice climbs anywhere in the world.

Climbing Against Time. Now 58 and 60, Gadd and Mauthner climb with experience sharpened by loss. They’ve both buried friends to the mountains, and the film shows how judgment and humility have replaced the bravado of youth. More than half their trips ended in retreat, but those decisions became part of the story. “We’d drive home saying, ‘We’re alive. We can try again,’” Gadd said.

Why It Matters? For non-climbers, Wall of Walls is about much more than ice. It is about partnership, purpose, and what it means to keep pushing when the rewards are internal and the risks real. Gadd, a National Geographic explorer, Alpine Guide, and longtime advocate for risk awareness, sees climbing as a metaphor for life. “Complacency kills,” he says. “But expecting complacency and building strong systems, that’s what keeps you alive.”

Read our full interview with Will Gadd.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: NEW DUPLEX IN HOSPITAL HILL

This new half duplex at 245B Three Sisters Drive looks good and lives even better. Nearly 3,000 square feet with clean lines, vaulted ceilings, and four outdoor spaces you’ll actually use.

Inside, you’ll find a bright walkout basement, flexible den space, and not one, not two, but THREE primary bedrooms, each with their own private ensuite.

The kitchen? A total showstopper featuring Fulgor Milano appliances, an oversized island, and custom two-tone cabinetry.

Tucked away in Hospital Hill, you’re just steps from the Bow River, downtown Canmore, and endless trails. No rear neighbours, a treed backyard, tons of built-in gear storage, and an attached double garage for all your mountain toys.

Want a look inside? Book a private showing and make sure to follow Alex and Lori on Instagram for more property updates!

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 📍 Banff Welcome Sign Removed. The Banff sign was taken down from its Norquay Road location and is now in storage while crews prepare its new home beside the Banff Train Station. Let’s be honest, no one’s going to miss dodging traffic for that selfie. It’ll be back in late November with a new parkette featuring seating and trails. See pictures of the new site. 

• 🐰 Banff’s Cutest Lost Tourist. A stuffed bunny named “Bunff” has become an unexpected celebrity after being left behind on a Parks Canada shuttle. Instead of landing in lost and found, the plush traveler has toured Moraine Lake, Waterfowl Lakes, and more with park staff. Fans are following the #LostBunnyInBanff saga, hoping Bunff’s “extended vacation” ends with a joyful reunion. See Bunff’s adventures.

• 👮 Park Wardens Honoured for Decades of Service. 34 Parks Canada wardens were recognized in Banff National Park with the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal, celebrating over 20 years of dedication to protecting people, wildlife, and Canada’s natural heritage. The medal, presented by Parks Canada CEO Ron Hallman, highlights the wardens’ professionalism, courage, and lifelong commitment to conservation.

• 🗳️ Banff Recount Narrows to One Vote. A recount was held this week after just two votes originally decided the Banff municipal election’s final council seat. The updated results now show Michelle Backhouse ahead of Allan Buckingham by a single vote, but the outcome remains unchanged. Backhouse keeps the sixth seat. 

Traditional Media Called. It Wants Its Budget Back.

We get it. You’ve “always done” print.

But your customers are in their inbox, not your neighbor’s recycling.

We deliver clicks and sales, not column inches.

➡️ Stop funding nostalgia. Start driving results.

HOW WARMING TEMPERATURES ARE CHANGING CLIMBING IN THE BOW VALLEY

What’s Happening? Climate change isn’t just melting glaciers; it’s reshaping the very mountains we climb. A new story from Mountain Life Media by local writer and climber Jesse House explores how warming temperatures are altering the Bow Valley’s cliffs, forests, and even the daily risks for those who live and play here.

Cracks in the Foundation. Recent research by Kate Hanly and Graham McDowell found that rising temperatures in Banff National Park are destabilizing mountain slopes, increasing the frequency of rockfall and landslides. In the Bow Valley, the Alberta Geological Survey has documented similar risks along Highway 742 and nearby cliffs where repeated freeze and thaw cycles are weakening limestone faces.

When the Mountains Move. Those warnings hit home this past summer when a fatal rock slide tore through the Bow Glacier Falls area, scattering boulders across a popular hiking route. A 2023 study predicted that rockfall events could rise by up to 19 percent in certain months. For climbers, that means classic routes are changing or disappearing, and new hazards are emerging where ice once held the mountains together.

From Crumbling Rock to Carbon Sinks. House also highlights how mountain ecosystems can help slow climate change. Intact forests, wetlands, and alpine meadows across Alberta and B.C. store carbon equal to the emissions of millions of vehicles each year. When those landscapes are logged, mined, or burned, that carbon escapes and takes decades to recover.

Why It Matters? Canada has pledged to protect 30 percent of its land by 2030 but remains below half that goal. According to House, expanding protected areas that act as both carbon reservoirs and wildlife corridors is one of the most effective climate strategies within our reach.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• The Great Pumpkin Walk & Community Fire. Stroll from Central Park to the Banff Rec Grounds surrounded by glowing pumpkins, then enjoy live music, a fire, and hot chocolate. No registration needed. 5:30–8:30 PM. Banff Rec Grounds. Free.

• Free Family Film: Moon the Panda. Twelve-year-old Tian is sent to his grandmother’s home due to poor school results. In the mysterious Chinese mountains, he secretly befriends a panda named Moon, beginning an incredible adventure that will change his life and his family’s forever. 5:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. Free.*

• Annual Strides & Glides Duathlon. Cheer on athletes as they take on a 3km run and a 3km ski across the Olympic and Frozen Thunder trails. 5:45 PM. Canmore Nordic Centre. Free.

Saturday

• Spring Creek’s Trunk or Treat. Join the community for Trunk or Treat. The event will take place around the fountain. Bring the family for a fun-filled, safe Halloween experience with treats, decorations, and lots of festive fun. 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Spring Creek. Free. 

• Cheer on the Eagles. The Canmore Eagles are looking to bounce back after a few tough losses. Don’t miss the action as they face off against the Camrose Kodiaks. 7:00 PM. Canmore Rec Centre. $11-18. 

• Poetry Open Mic. Hosted by Canmore Poet Laureate Tim Murphy, all are welcome to perform or just enjoy the show. Sign up to perform at 7:00 PM or arrive at 7:30 PM to watch a night full of creativity, laughter, and lyrical fun. artsPlace, Canmore. Entry by donation.*

Sunday

• Banff Share & Repair Fair. Join the Town of Banff and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley for a fun, educational day promoting a circular economy in Banff. Enjoy live music, refreshments, workshops, and on-site repairs. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Fenlands, Banff. No cost to attend.*

JOIN BOW VALLEY INSIDER FOR A HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE

We’ve been thinking about how to pull off something fun for Halloween that actually gets the Bow Valley Insider community outside, and we think we nailed it.

Next Friday (Oct. 31), we’re hosting a Halloween-themed Cluesolver adventure in Canmore. If you haven’t heard of Cluesolver before, it’s part scavenger hunt, part escape room, and part mystery story, all played outdoors through a mobile app. You’ll explore local landmarks, solve puzzles, and race to uncover the final secret.

It’s free for us to play. Just grab a team of up to five people (friends, family, coworkers, anyone who can read clues without arguing) and start anytime between 12 PM and 7 PM from downtown Canmore.

And because we like a little friendly competition, there will be a leaderboard tracking which team cracks the mystery the fastest. The winning team gets eternal glory and a shout-out in Bow Valley Insider.

You can find all the details and instructions here.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ✍️ Community Survey Now Open. The 2025 Alberta Provincial Estimation Survey is underway across the Bow Valley, aiming to understand residents’ needs and improve local services. The anonymous, 15-minute survey covers housing, employment, and service use. Open until October 31. Results will guide future programs and support. 

• 😋 A Can’t Miss Happy Hour Deal. Head over for Bratty Hour at Valbella and snag a deal that’s hard to beat. Enjoy your choice of Weisswurst or Smokie with a soft Bavarian pretzel and sweet mustard, plus a beer or spirit for just $9. Dine-in only, Monday–Saturday from 2–6 PM.*

• 👷🏻‍♂️ Join a Local Timber Framing Crew. Want to work outdoors and build something real? Woodpecker Timber Framing is hiring Carpenters for projects in Canmore, Banff, Cochrane, and Calgary. You’ll join a small, supportive team focused on craftsmanship, sustainability, and precision. Positions include Lead Carpenter, Apprentice, and Helper. Full details and how to apply. Or share with a friend who might be interested.*

• 📣 Nominate a Canmore Volunteer Hero. The annual Mayor’s Volunteer Celebration happens Nov. 26, recognizing individuals and groups who make Canmore shine. Nominations are open until Nov. 3 for those whose volunteer work has made a lasting impact. Nominees will be honoured with food, drinks, and a certificate of appreciation. Nominate someone here.

• ⌛ From the Archives. Take a trip back to 1950 with this vintage Greyhound video commercial, a love letter to Lake Louise, Banff, and the golden age of road travel. The “scenery is scrumptious,” says one of the female models. A reminder of when adventure meant plaid jackets, polished buses, and endless optimism.  A nostalgic look at early Bow Valley tourism.  

CIVIC NEWS

• Bighorn Considers Using AI for Municipal Work. The MD of Bighorn is looking into using artificial intelligence tools like Microsoft Copilot to help staff write reports, analyze data, and improve productivity. The municipality is updating its 2015 communications policy to include rules for AI use, focusing on data protection, staff training, and keeping up with new laws.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, October 24th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Greg Doucette.  Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. $5.

• Saturday, October 25th, 2025, 6:00 PM: Vi's Guys. Location: Georgetown Inn, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, October 25th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Bunny Hops. Location: The Moxy, Banff. No Cover.

• Sunday, October 26th, 2025, 7:30 PM: Rhonda Shippy. Location: Mount Engadine Lodge. No Cover.

• Sunday, October 26th, 2025, 7:30 PM: Lonesome Ace String Band. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $30 / members $25.50 / youth $15

SPORTS

• Bow Valley Disc Golfers Shine in Saskatchewan. Three members of the Bow Valley Disc Golf Club made waves at the World Bush Disc Golf Championships near Moosomin. Battling 50 km/h winds, Jeremy Hook and Caine Emms of team “Send Disc Pics” finished strong at –3. We don’t know where that placed them, but they get gold for the team name. 

• Canmore’s Noah Philp Making His Mark With the Oilers. At 27, Canmore native Noah Philp is proving he belongs in the Edmonton Oilers lineup. After taking a full year away from hockey, the 6’3” center has battled his way into a fourth-line role, winning faceoffs, killing penalties, and playing smart, defensive hockey. He’s not chasing highlight reels; he’s filling the kind of dependable, hard-nosed spot every Cup contender needs.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, same time, same place! 

Heads Up: We sometimes feature paid promotion from local businesses and organizations we trust. When you see a little asterisk (*), that means it’s a sponsored post. We only work with partners we think our readers will actually care about.