Adam Mertens Completes 146km Bow Valley Traverse

Mertens first attempted the traverse last year but fell about 20 km and several peaks short of closing the loop. This year, timing it perfectly with a rare weather window after a rainy summer, he successfully pushed the full circuit with smoother execution.

Day 1 . Cascade & Rundle Traverse

He began at 2 a.m. on August 30th at Johnson Lake in Banff National Park. In the dark, he made his way to Cascade Mountain (2,998 m), joining a friend for a technical climb featuring 5.10 roped sections and simul-climbing – completing this segment faster than before due to lighter gear and route familiarity.

From there, Mertens descended into Banff and tackled the near 25 km Rundle Traverse (2,500 m gain), which involves class 4–5 scrambling, rappels, and climbing beyond typical trail-running terrain. He soloed a classic multi-pitch route on the Rundlehorn and reached Mount Rundle (2,948 m) by 6 p.m., sleeping three hours at Whiteman’s Pond.

Adam Mertens on Grotto mountain. Photo: Adam Mertens

Day 2. Peaks, Ridges, and Paddleboarding

He resumed around 4 a.m., summiting Ha Ling (2,407 m) with simul-climbing alongside a friend. Next were Mount Lawrence Grassi and the Three Sisters, topping Big Sister at 12:30 p.m. This included exposed scrambling and difficult downclimbs, especially on “Rim Wall,” one of the most intimidating sections – all soloed.

Breaking free of the high terrain, he picked up support for Wind Ridge and then – delightfully – grabbed a paddleboard to cross the Bow Valley River en route to Grotto, summiting it via hiking, scrambling, and rope climbing just before midnight.

Day 3. Final Push to Complete the Loop

After a brief three-hour rest, he began day three at 5:20 a.m., summiting Mount Lady Macdonald by sunrise via a knife-edge ridge – “special” and isolated. By 10:30 a.m., he’d summited Mount Charles Stewart, then descended to Carrot Creek by midday.

With the final section unfamiliar and untouched by wildlife restrictions, he tackled peaks like Pechee, Girouard, and Inglismaldie. One crux involved rappelling across a ledge perched above a 1,500 m drop amid lightning, a moment when he questioned the risks. Yet, he pushed through, closed the loop at Johnson Lake, and ended the journey at 12:15 a.m. on September 2nd.

Mertens described the traverse as a “perfect backyard adventure”, a goal whose outcome wasn’t guaranteed, with mounting fatigue and the constant sight of his comfortable life below adding a unique psychological challenge. It was this juxtaposition of proximity and remoteness that made the achievement so profound.

Why It Matters

Uncertainty & Risk: This isn’t just a long run – it’s technically and mentally demanding terrain where decisions and fatigue can be life-threatening.

Home-Grown Challenge: Mertens turned his local playground – the peaks above Bow Valley, into a monumental wilderness test.

Evolution of Alpine Endurance: The Bow Valley Cirque blends trail running, alpine scrambling, rock climbing, and even paddleboarding in ways rarely seen before.

Adam Mertens has redefined what’s possible in alpine endurance within his own backyard. His Bow Valley Cirque stands as a bold example of pushing the limits of mountain running and exploring innovation in linking terrain, technique, and ambition.

Source: Explorersweb