Climbing Takakkaw Falls in Yoho

ClimbingScrambling

Aug 31

Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park
August 31, 2025
Takakkaw Falls 5.7, 12 pitches
9:12:45 C2C

The day after sending Heart Line, our next objective was Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park. The big appeal of this climb was the unique setting - you climb up beside the falls and crawl through a 100 meter long tunnel!

With a last minute change in plans, Liz and I tackled this as a team of two. Thanks to several climbing adventures together this year, we were able to simul climb this quite comfortably.

We got a couple of amazing pitches right beside the waterfall that were incredibly scenic. Crawling through the tunnel between pitches 11 and 12 was so unique! Halfway through the tunnel, we turned our headlamps off for a minute - just listening and feeling the waterfall thrum against the rock in complete darkness.

The effort to reward ratio was killer on this climb. While the climbing felt mostly like scrambling, the waterfall and tunnel make this climb a must do at least once.

Before you get to the scree field, the first half of the approach is very chill.

A clear look at our objective in the morning light.

Liz and I waiting to start the climb, with support from Alexis.

I kicked off the day by leading the first pitch, before Liz and I switched to simul climbing.

Traversing the ledge and trying to route find with other parties.

Liz got a great shot of me at the 'waterfall belay.'

Looking down into the valley of Yoho National Park.

Crouched in the entrance to the tunnel, which gets much, much smaller.

Liz crouched in the entrance to the tunnel between pitches 11 and 12.

I duckwalked as much of the tunnel as I could before switching to hands and knees.

At the top of the climb, you get a great lunch spot and view of the river.

Liz leading the way as we rappel down the route.

Not our best selfie but gotta get a shot with the falls in the background.

A little rainbow over the falls in the afternoon sun.

Robyn Petrik

Writer, poet, and creativity enthusiast from Vancouver. I help gutsy creatives spark their creativity and light up their lives, and I believe in living a life you love.

Climbing Takakkaw Falls in Yoho

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