Ref: Alan Kane's
Scrambles
in the Canadian Rockies |
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The trailhead. |
Scramble:
RT 7.0; 4.0 up. This scramble is long but well worth the trip. The easy
nature of the outing allowed me to focus on the majestic scenery around
me. From Tower Lake, the landscape reveals itself and is like none
other. Since the early 90's, I've visited this area numerous times. I
always feel elated when I see Rockbound Lake. Walking on the mossy
terrace above, surrounded by cliff bands, streams and countless
marmots is magnificent. At the west end of the terrace is the ascent
to the plateau of the massif. A 4 km long summit plod follows. I was
fortunate to be able to see the limestone I was stepping on (no snow
cover unlike when Fab went in 2006). It was unusual; from what I
remember, some of the rock slabs have rounded edges and are dotted with
many holes. Kane mentions
it formed in the Middle Cambrian period, 530 million years ago. The
hike to the summit on this interesting rock was memorable. The pictures
were taken when Fab ascended Castle while I plodded to Television in
2006. |
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Nearing Tower Lake. |
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Slabby shore of
Rockbound Lake.
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Ascent gully leading
to Kane's four scrambles.
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Directly above the
lake is the lower terrace leading to Castle's ascent gully.
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Scree trail to
Helena, Stuart and Television. A traverse left around this
leads to the lower terrace. |
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Looking back at the
two lakes. |
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Lovely and
incredibly special. |
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Ascent gully to the
plateau of the massif. |
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Top of the ascent
gully. |
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Nice long walk on
the massif to the summit. |
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Almost there. |
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Summit ahead. |
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Awesome view of the
terraces above Rockbound. |
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Behind Stuart, part
of the connecting ridge to TV is visible. |
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Weather appears to
be moving in. |
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Looking
past Eisenhower Tower. |
Back
to home page |
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