Thousands successfully climb the Mother’s Day Buttress at Cascade Mountain each year, but it proved fatal for Adelaide man Daniel Heritage

It was an intermediate climb being undertaken by an experienced man, so what caused Daniel Heritage to fall to his death at this popular Canadian mountain?

The mountain that looms like a pyramid behind Banff in Canada’s Rocky Mountain is the backdrop to every postcard image of the picture-perfect tourist town.

Anyone who has ever been there can’t help but be awed by its majesty and the way that the play of light and shadow changes the view of it through the day from enticing to ominous.

There are different ways to reach its peak.

Many take the scramblers’ route far on the western side – the safest and easiest way up hidden from view from the town.

Doing it that way is described by Parks Canada as a “steep, strenuous hike” of nine hours, with about a quarter of the route over loose scree.

But others choose to take on the technical climbs available, including up the daunting rockface that looms so large over the town.

Adelaide man Daniel Heritage, 28, chose the Mother’s Day Buttress on the southeast side, an intermediate level, six-hour climb well within his skillset but not without its challenges.

Daniel Heritage with his wife Emma. Picture: GoFundMe

It is a 335m ascent with eight “pitches’, the climbing term for a steep section of a route that requires a rope between two belays.

How it claimed his life on Wednesday, October 5, seven months into a grand gap-year adventure, in an accident is now the subject of investigation by local authorities.

Tragically, Mr Heritage, an adventure leader for Scouts SA caving and climbing teams right until he left for Canada, became one of the up to 50 people who are killed while mountain climbing in North America each year.

Just after 2pm, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were called to the site for a rescue. Canada’s STAR-1 rescue helicopter was also dispatched but was subsequently stood down.

There was nothing that could be done. Mr Heritage was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene after dying in the arms of his wife Emma.

RCMP corporal Deanna Fontaine said Mr Heritage, of Valley View, was an experienced climber and the couple were on an “established route”.

“The route includes anchors placed by previous climbers,’ Ms Fontaine said.

“The cause of death was associated with a fall that occurred while the man climbed using the support of a rope and belay.

“The ledge they were on is an area that is regularly navigated by other climbers.”

She said there would be a full review undertaken into what went wrong.

Larry Shiu, Cascade Mountain, Banff National Park

“Everything will be reviewed in particular as to whether it was a failure of his own protective equipment or the established equipment at the climb,” she said.

Corporal Fontaine said such incidents were rare in that part of the Rocky Mountains, which draws visitors from all over the world for its breathtakingly spectacular scenery.

“It is not very frequent that we get deaths or injuries associated with rock climbing,” she said.

She said she was a climber herself and that the incident had rocked the tight-knit climbing community.

“It is just so tragic, my heart goes out to his wife and family,” she said.

“The climbing community is full of like-minded people and everyone is just so close.

“It’s such a great way to enjoy life, it keeps you active. It’s just so terribly sad to hear that their day ended like this.”

Emma’s love letter to her husband she posted online thanked him for inviting her into his world of adventure.

Cascade Mountain reflecting in the Bow River in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.

“You were my best friend, love of my life and adventure buddy,” she wrote.

“Thank you for bringing so much joy into my life and helping me realise that I was more capable than I think. Thank you for inviting me into your world where anything was possible and each day was an opportunity for a new adventure.”

The total number of climbing-related deaths across Canada and the United States is between 20 and 50 deaths a year.

The Canadian Rockies pose other risks too, particularly associated to animals.

“People are enjoying getting out and about (post-Covid) and we have seen a marked increase in people visiting our parks,” Ms Fontaine said.

“This has led to more call-outs for assistance for people associated with coming into contact animals. It’s just people who are generally inexperienced and don’t know the area well.”

Avalanches also pose a risk to skiers, hikers and climbers.

The Avalanche Canada 2021 Annual Report revealed 12 hikers died during the 2020-21 winter season.

The country averages around 10 avalanche deaths per year, which has been on a downward trend due to the increase in programs highlighting the dangers.

Originally published as Thousands successfully climb the Mother’s Day Buttress at Cascade Mountain each year, but it proved fatal for Adelaide man Daniel Heritage