| Ref: Bob
Spirko's Road not taken |
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Some signage near
the start along a good trail.
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| Scramble: RT 8.0; 4.5 up. What
a contrast with our hot and dry trip in the region last week! As we
drove-in, we were surprised by the amount of new snow. We also took
note of the difficult terrain below the south summit, our objective. A
traverse to the true summit is most likely complex, explaining
why scramblers forego the north peak. We followed "stoneworks"
signs up onto Johnny's Trail. This leads to Stoneworks Canyon. The tall
vertical walls in the confined canyon are bolted for sport climbing.
Hours could be spent looking at the lines of ascent! This is a very
impressive area, we're glad to come this way. Because of the snow on
the ground, we boulder hopped in the creek bed. We saw great ice layers
above the scarce waterway. The ascent gully came into view and so did
the sunshine. We continued on supportive snow up the gully. Nearing the
upper gully, we climbed to the ridge avoiding deeper snow. The ridge
easily led us to the summit cairn. I ventured slightly further to peer
down the north ridge, not very appealing... Anyway, after a short while
we retraced our steps down as the weather moved in. The snow was softer
by now; it was good for the descent. Going through the canyon again is
nice. We lingered there, wishing we were climbers spending a day at the
crag! |
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Bedrock appears near
the canyon.
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Entering impressive
Stoneworks Canyon.
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Overhanging walls
close to each other.
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The canyon's walls
offer numerous bolted climbs.
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The drainage beyond
the canyon.
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A neat layer of ice
skims the water.
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The south summit
comes into view (left of center).
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The ascent gully.
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Looking back at
Canmore and The Three Sisters.
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The upper gully,
little post-holing.
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Gaining the ridge,
the weather is still very nice.
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A backdrop of
familiar mountains around Banff.
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Easy plodding along
the ridge.
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View north from the
cairn.
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Not so good picture
of the connecting ridge to the official summit.
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Fab at the cairn.
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| Back
to home page |
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