Airdrie woman dies after slipping on Mt. Bryant in Kananaskis Country
Airdrie realtor Katie Heaven, 47, died after slipping on loose rock while descending Mt. Bryant in Kananaskis Country; community members share tributes.
An Airdrie woman has died after a fall while descending Mt. Bryant in Kananaskis Country, prompting an outpouring of tributes from family, friends and business partners. Katie Heaven, 47, fell Saturday morning during a group hike on the 2,629-metre peak northwest of Bragg Creek and was later confirmed dead at the scene. The incident has drawn attention to the risks of backcountry hiking in the Fisher Range and led to public expressions of grief from those who knew her.
Incident and emergency response
At about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Heaven slipped on loose rock while descending Mt. Bryant, a peak in the front range of the Rockies. Members of her hiking party called for help and emergency crews were dispatched to Range Road 73A in Kananaskis Country.
STARS Air Ambulance and an ALTA Paramedic Health crew arrived after the call; officials at the scene confirmed Heaven had died. Authorities have described the event as a fall on unstable terrain, and rescue teams closed out their response once medical personnel pronounced her deceased.
Life and mountaineering background
Heaven was known locally as a realtor and an avid outdoor enthusiast who frequently posted photos and updates from peaks and trails. Her social media presence included climbs of Mount Townsend, Mount Yarrow, Whistler Mountain and Moose Mountain, and she had noted ambitious peak goals earlier in the year.
Those who knew her described a seasoned hiker who combined a professional life in real estate with a passion for mountains. Friends said she pursued backcountry objectives regularly and embraced the challenge and solitude of alpine routes.
Business ties and community service
In Airdrie, Heaven co-founded a business with Kelli Ellingson that provided graduation services for local high school students, operating under the name K & K. The partnership mixed entrepreneurship with community engagement, and colleagues said the business reflected their shared commitment to local families.
Heaven also worked with a company that delivered workplace first aid and safety training, bringing practical skills to employers across the region. Her professional life was, according to associates, balanced by frequent acts of neighbourly support and volunteer-minded activity in the community.
Tributes from friends and neighbours
Friends and associates offered personal recollections after news of her death, describing Heaven as a devoted mother and a generous neighbour. One business partner reflected on a close friendship that grew alongside their company, saying the loss would leave a lasting void.
Neighbours recalled instances where Heaven stepped forward to help others in urgent need, including assisting an elderly person and gathering essentials after a local house fire. Those memories have been shared widely on social platforms as residents express shock and sorrow.
Terrain and safety on Mt. Bryant
Mt. Bryant sits in the Fisher Range within Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park and overlooks a small glacial cirque lake favoured by backcountry hikers and campers. The mountain’s steep approaches and loose rock can present hazards, particularly on descents where footing is less secure.
Backcountry travel in this area requires careful route planning, appropriate equipment and awareness of changing conditions. Mountain rescue and park officials regularly advise hikers to travel in groups, carry emergency communications, and exercise caution on unstable talus and scree slopes.
Memorial plans and family privacy
As of publication, no public memorial service has been announced and friends said the family is taking time to grieve privately. Those close to Heaven have indicated that plans for tributes and community remembrances will be shared when arrangements are finalized.
Local organizations and partners have expressed condolences and said they will support any memorial efforts requested by the family. Community members looking for confirmed details were urged to respect the family’s privacy while arrangements are made.
Katie Heaven is being remembered not only for her outdoor pursuits but for the roles she played in her neighbourhood and workplace. Her sudden death on Mt. Bryant has prompted reflections on the joys and risks of mountain recreation, and on the connections she forged in Airdrie that friends say will endure.
