Don’t want to slip and fall off the mountain? There’s an app for that.

Mount Yamnuska, a rock wall in southern Alberta's Bow Valley, presents challenges for climbers due to its sheer limestone surface. Ben Pearman, a 29-year-old rock climber and University of Calgary computer science master's student, developed the ThreeTopo app to assist climbers in navigating the daunting Red Shirt route. Using drone photography, Pearman created a three-dimensional digital model of the 240-metre climb.

The app provides one-handed guidance on crucial navigation points, such as traversing left from an anchor or heading upwards until reaching a bolt. Miles Abesdris, a test user, appreciated the app's ability to alleviate fears associated with trad climbing, which involves placing temporary gear into the rock and clipping a rope for safety.

Pearman aims to make the app publicly accessible, hoping other climbers will contribute data for routes across North America, ultimately enhancing safety in the sport.