Ref: Bivouac |
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At the trailhead. |
Scramble: RT 11.5 (including
Mount Afton's Traverse); 4.5 up. What a treat to be able to go on a
trip with my friends
from Revelstoke on this last weekend of summer; even better on a
bluebird
day. Val wanted to go somewhere close to home; I proposed this popular
outing in beautiful Rogers Pass. Research hints at a traverse from
Mount
Abbott to Mount Afton (class 4) and also an easier route up
Afton exists via its north-west ridge; I was hoping to do the traverse.
We met at the Illecillewaet Campground and were soon on our
way. Two hours of hiking took us to treeline. I love this
place with its tall, majestic mountains and numerous glaciers. We
continued
towards Abbott Ridge on the excellent trail, conversing. After
rounding the north end of Abbott, Bonney Glacier comes into view;
climbing to the ridge reveals the Asulkan Valley, Mount Sir Donald and
the end of the trail. The ridge is interesting, fun hiking; further,
Mount Afton's blocky terrain is more apparent and the alpine tarn in
the bowl is visible. We hiked down a dip and picked our way up
Abbott's summit ridge. Big blocks and wide ledges grant easy scrambling
to the top. We had lunch, soaking in the view and fantastic weather.
Afton's east ridge looks daunting from here, we discussed possible
ascent lines. By 2 PM, we started coming down Mount Abbott, aiming for
Mount Afton's
east ridge. |
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Mount Jupiter (left)
and Mount Abbott. |
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Abbott Ridge. |
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Looking back at
Mount Sir Donald and Perley Rock. |
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Nice pond along the
way. |
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Rounding Abbott's
north end. |
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Parsons Peak comes
into view. |
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Bonney Peak. |
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Beyond the trail
with Mount Afton to the right. |
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Interesting and fun
ridge walk. |
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Mount Abbott is
after the dip (right center). |
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Lovely tarn in the
Abbott/Afton Bowl. |
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Ascending the summit
ridge. |
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Easy scrambling. |
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At the top, time for
lunch. |
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Mount Sir Donald
again. |
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Yui with Mount
Jupiter, The Dome (right) and Youngs Peak (left). |
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Mount Afton's east
ridge offers difficult scrambling. |
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Continue
on to Mount Afton |
Back
to home page |
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