Riviere Godbout - Carpe Diem

 Carpe Diem, 26 miles up the Riviere Godbout, is a spectacular backcountry ice route. It sits on a giant rock mound in an isolated valley. The snowmobile access is straightforward but the approach is arduous, uphill through deep snow. We broke trail the day before and came back for the climb. This route is 130m but breaks up well as 3 pitches. After the classy first pitch (maximum star rating) it's possible to choose several lines and we climbed this as two parties. This is another good one to camp at if you have your act together. Carpe Diem was part of a larger Cote Nord trip in Feb/March of 2025.

stellar pitch one

Carpe Diem from the steep wooded approach

Riviera Betsiamites - Liberte and more

 The little-known and rarely climbed Liberte is among the finest of ice routes. It's jaw dropping coming around the corner and finding this route only meters off the trail. Liberte is a long way in. We climbed here in March 2025 as part of a longer Cote Nord trip.

The Riviere Betsiamites is giant and the first ascensionists floated downstream to access the climbs. There is snowmobile access though, via a network of established primary and secondary trails, and a significant (~10miles) distance down an unmarked path. This path goes over a height of land and past Riviere Laliberte and several abandoned camps. 

The unmarked path was not broken and the work breaking trail was substantial (one and a half days of recon and trailbreaking). We were rewarded with three days of excellent climbing. At night we stayed in Baie Comeau but I'd highly recommend trailbreaking and then camping near the climbing. A hot tent and camping supplies for three days would make for a great experience.The approach is short, it's sheltered, and the location is spectacular and remote. 

The amazing Liberte

Deep snow thwarted our first attempt

On second attempt snow was more settled and we broke in the trail

mountain panorama on the trailer

Cave belay top of pitch 1 Liberte right side

Keith and Silas on Liberte

Steep column cragging day 2

Alden leading

Riviere Laliberte, frozen, the remains of an old suspension bridge are just upstream

Day 3. The size of the sandwich is remarkable.