| Ref: So's Digital Diary |
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We followed a group to the climber's parking lot. |
| Scramble: RT
6.0; 2.75 up. Another fantastic outing on the Icefields
Parkway. Fab and I were yearning for sunny conditions to warm up our
bones after some wet, cool weather. The Columbia Icefield area
delivered the sun and withheld the wind. We also liked that the
objective was short, easy and mostly free of snow. It allowed us to
stroll
along taking in the phenomenal sights. Many teams on the glacier
offered distraction as they practiced crevasse rescue. A team also went
up Athabasca. We watched them come down linking nice turns! The hiking
on Boundary's ascent ridge is very pleasant; it is a perfect place for
goats
to roam with their cute little kids. The summit block offers several
lines of ascent, we used the snow avoiding loose rubble. In little
time, we stood on the summit. A gnome greeted us, he sits there looking
over the glacier. We stayed at the top for over an hour, the absence
of wind was truly appreciated. On the way down, we took advantage of
the snow slope for a quick glissade! The top is fairly steep, I had to
self arrest; at that instant, I heard and
felt a pop in my left knee. Bummer, I knew what that meant... I resumed
the glissade on my right side, keeping my left leg up. Back on my feet,
I evaluated the situation. My knee wasn't that painful and felt stable,
we continued in good spirits. Back at the climber's parking lot, we
waited shortly for a bus to come down and followed it. |
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Across the bridge, we find a trail on Boundary's north-west ridge. |
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The hiking is very pleasant. |
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| The popular Skyladder route on Mount Andromeda. |
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| We stop often to enjoy the fabulous sights. |
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The grassy ridge. |
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Looking back, Mount Wilcox is almost free of snow. |
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| Further along the ridge. |
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| Mount Athabasca hosts several climbing parties today. |
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Boundary Peak (left) is dwarfed next to Athabasca. |
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Goats with their adorable kids. |
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| The objective is getting close. |
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| Going straight up the summit block. |
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| Last stretch. |
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| Looking back from the summit ridge. |
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| A gnome greets us at the top. |
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| Heeeee-haaaaah ! |
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| Self-timed summit picture with Mount Athabasca. |
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| The top of Mount Columbia is visible behind Mount Snowdome. |
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| Fab enjoying the view along with the gnome. |
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| Eastern view with the highway below. |
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| Impressive Hilda Peak. |
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| Good glissade! The third line was made by a rock. |
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| On our way down, we pick up the snowshoes that we left behind. |
| Back
to home page |
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