Rising sharply out of the remote wilderness of the Cirque of the Unclimbables, Club International stakes its claim on Bustle Tower’s Southeast Face with twelve pitches of demanding granite climbing that challenge both skill and will. Here, the stone feels alive beneath your fingertips — cool, rough, and utterly uncompromising. This classic route carves a deliberate line through towering left-facing dihedrals, winding up toward a notorious, dripping roof on pitch six that demands careful movement and patience. When the moisture subsides, this bulge can be freed at a solid 5.11 mid-grade, offering an intoxicating taste of clean, sustained climbing.

The climb rewards those prepared to embrace the wild spirit of the Northwest Territories. The granite is sharp and solid, revealing cracks and corners that whisper old climbing legends, while the air carries the faint scent of mountain birch and cold stone. Starting early is key here—the approach brings you into fairy-tale like meadows where one can catch glimpses of jagged peaks etched against a wide northern sky. Though the ascent can be completed in a single long, committed day, many choose to fix lines on the lower pitches and rest at the bivouac near Fairy Meadows, a quiet clearing that seems suspended in time. The route topo itself was sketched on a forgotten magazine found in a waterproof container at the camp, adding an unexpected touch of whimsy to this serious alpinist’s challenge.

Planning essentials include carrying two sets of cams ranging from tiny #00 to large 5", combined with a pair of nut sets, ensuring clean protection throughout the climb. Long runners are critical to keep your rope drag manageable on exposed traverses and corners. The route requires two 60-meter ropes to efficiently negotiate long pitches and rappels.

Navigating Club International demands steady technique and respect for the changing conditions, especially around the mid-route roof where dripping water can transform key holds into slick hazards. The surrounding wilderness amplifies the feeling of isolation, so make sure your approach is well planned — the Cirque is a place that rewards thorough preparation and leaves no room for complacency.

For climbers ready to test themselves in one of Canada’s most storied granite playgrounds, Club International offers a blend of adventure, technical climbing, and the satisfying pulse of a well-earned ascent against a backdrop few places on earth can match.