In the summer of 2024, a group of four climbers won the Yukon 125 Prize, supported by the Yukon Territory government, for a challenging expedition to the Boundary Ranges in southern Yukon.
Their goal was to attempt a first ascent of one of the most distinctive features of the Radelet Massif (also known as the Crystal Towers)—one of the most coveted lines in the local climbing community.
Crystal Towers is not a single peak, but a group of dramatic rock towers and ridges in the Radelet Peak Massif in southern Yukon. The area is known for its high, sheer granite walls and aesthetically pleasing routes, considered some of the most desirable alpine rock climbing in the region.
For more than a week and a half, climbers battled cold, strong winds, and adverse weather to reach the summit.
Radelet Peak
One hundred and twenty kilometers south of Whitehorse, Radelet Peak rises above a small lake, which was still mostly frozen during filming in July. Of the entire team, only one member, Zach Clanton, had been here before. It was he who came up with the idea for a new route along the knife-sharp ridge on the mountain’s east side.
However, bolting a new route requires gear, and delivering that gear to Radelet Peak requires a helicopter. And where, according to his partner, Rob Cohen, would a “classic broke climber” find the few thousand dollars for such a flight?
As it turns out, the government did. :) With the support of the Yukon125 foundation, four climbers set out, taking with them a drone, a pack of Metamucil, and (almost) enough hardware to bolt a new route.
The Route
The Crystal Towers begins relatively calmly, as the protagonists navigate the ridge “à cheval.” The slope isn’t particularly steep, but we’re constantly reminded that it’s frighteningly sharp—and frankly, they wish it were less so.
Then the first steep section before the ridge looms over them, and the film truly opens up. Climber and director of photography John Serjeantson makes effective use of a drone, creating impressive panoramas.
Much of the route is crack climbing. Finger and hand cracks snake up seemingly inaccessible granite walls. Unfortunately, a significant portion of this ascent was not captured on camera.
Only a few short fragments from a GoPro supplement the general shots of the route, and the team as a whole almost did not film the passage of the ropes from below.
The lack of video footage in places disrupts the narrative. One of the participants abandons the climb on the day of the summit bid, citing difficulties of the route that were never shown or explained to the viewer.
Nevertheless, although it’s clear that these are climbers rather than documentarians, this doesn’t stop them from creating a beautiful, impressive film. The footage is clear and expressive, highlighting the magnificent landscape, and the narration guides the viewer through the most breathtaking sections of the route.
The Film Achieves Its Goal
The Crystal Towers: a Yukon Climbing Story is one of three projects funded by the Yukon government for its 125th anniversary. This captivating short documentary is simultaneously a climbing film, a light travelogue, and a unique advertisement for the Yukon’s understated, rugged beauty.
Whether the team managed to complete the entire route—you’ll have to see for yourself. But the breakthrough they made will allow a new generation of climbers to explore the area.
As Zach Clanton said:
“Our goal was to create a place where people can hike with just a set of bookmarks and a rope, have a great time, and discover a part of the Yukon they never knew existed.”
Source: alp.org.ua