Park at a small
paved turn-off, north side of highway 93 about 300 m. west of a
maintenance yard, 695103. Ascend the treed rib, climber's right of the
drainage to 689113. The rib then heads in a westerly direction to meet
the south end of the summit ridge, 682114. Follow the broken ridge to
its north end and summit. |
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Parked at a small
paved turn-off. |
Snowshoe
trip: RT 8.0; 4.5 up. This small mountain sure
packs a punch! From the car, the ascent starts right away. I followed
the dry treed rib that easily leads to the south end of the ridge;
within less than two hours, most of the height gain is acquired.
However, travelling on the broken ridge is more challenging and
requires caution. There are several dips along the way and up-lifted
strata results in having to circumvent in some places. The
plod from the south end of the ridge to the summit,
dotted with a small cairn, took 2.5 hours. I enjoyed the top briefly,
knowing it would take a while to return the same way. After snapping
several pictures, I proceeded back down and finally stopped for a break
about midway on the ridge. The remaining plod was not too bad;
sometimes I punched through the snow. I wasn't surprised to see it took
the same time to retrace my steps, plus the break. I stowed my
snowshoes and started back down the treed rib. The descent is very
quick, I was careful not to stray into the drainage (climber's left).
Within 45 minutes, I was back at the car! |
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Light timbered rib;
lots of Rocky Mountain Juniper. |
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The summit is at the
far north end of the ridge. |
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The ridge is broken,
interrupted by several dips and up-lifted strata. |
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A view of the
Columbia Valley, looking north-west. |
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Getting closer but
wondering if I will make it! |
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I circumvented the
knob seen above atop snow slopes, hugging the rock wall on the east
side. |
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Very nice view
south-west, towards Radium. |
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Mount Kindersley
North in the far background. |
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The maintenance yard
is visible on the left margin. |
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South-east view and
Mount Sinclair, left of center. |
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My tracks are
noticeable, climbing from the east side. |
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Once on the ridge, I
put my snowshoes back on. |
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Looking back at the
ridge from the top of the knob. |
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The pointy summit is
minutes away. |
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The ridge is
exciting at times. |
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Some dips are
precipitous. |
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Some sections
offered faster travel but required caution. |
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The south end of the
ridge ahead and Redstreak Mountain. |
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45 minutes and I was
back at the car. |
Back
to home page |
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