Ref: Alan Kane's
Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies |
|
|
|
|
Starting our traverse over to Mount Cordonnier following a sow and cub's footprints. |
Scramble: RT
12.0 (including Warrior Mountain); 1.5 up from Warrior's summit. Mount
Cordonnier is definitely more challenging than Warrior. I though that
if I made it across the connecting ridge, the rest would be easy but it
wasn't. The crux on the connecting ridge is short and a ledge
facilitates the traverse. We were very lucky that the recent snow had melted.
How momma bear and her cub got across facinates us. Thinking about that
little cub, perhaps overwhelmed, prompted me to continue. The ridge
gets broader and an easy trek leads to a false summit. Although the
route from here is not technical, some exposed sections require
vigilance. Aware of the hazard, I found myself having to straddle a
narrow bit; I didn't really like that!!! Just after, a steep short slab
gave way to easier terrain. In little time, we reached the top. This is
the best view on Mount Joffre which is now displaying a very good
up-track. We stayed for a short while, the wind was annoying and I
couldn't settle down until the exposed sections were behind me... The
summit ridge wasn't easier on the way back. The downsloping slabs made
me hunch and I straddled the narrow bit again while Fab was able to
walk across it. Once it was done, I felt a sense of accomplishment and
I started to unwind. We took a nice, somewhat sheltered, break near the
top of the alternate descent. We were happy; the weather was fantastic
and we had just ascended three peaks this weekend. We still had a long
way to go before reaching the parking lot though, hence we got up and
began our descent down the long snow slope. We glissaded with
difficulty as the snow was punchy, still the short-cut was worthwhile.
On the moraine below, we surprisingly stepped onto a crude trail which
leads to the flats. We dried our feet near a creek where we also
replenished our water bottles. After having lunch, we spotted the sow
and cub again as we hiked towards Aster Lake. They were far up on the
slopes opposite to us, we watched them and said goodbye. Returning on a good trail
was pleasant. We enjoyed the afternoon sun all the way down the scree
mountainside and once around Hidden Lake, we got another glimpse of
sunshine. Back on the main trail, Fab engaged in an fiery pace; we got
to the car within an hour! |
|
|
|
The drop on the west side is dramatic. |
|
|
|
The crux of the connecting ridge. |
|
|
|
A ledge in the slab eases the traverse. |
|
|
|
|
A look back at the slab. And yes, momma and baby bear came this way! |
|
|
|
|
|
This section is pleasant. |
|
|
|
|
|
Another look back with Warrior Mountain and Mount Northover (right). |
|
|
|
|
|
False summit ahead. |
|
|
|
|
| Finally, on the summit ridge. |
|
| |
|
| Glad there is no snow on this slab section. |
|
| |
|
| The slab is interrupted by an airy narrow bit. |
|
| |
|
| The summit cairn, minutes away. |
|
| |
|
| Third summit this weekend; greatest view of Mount Joffre! |
|
| |
|
| North end of Shatch Mountain to the west. |
|
| |
|
| Cordonnier's summit ridge is impressive. |
|
| |
|
| Leaving the top. |
|
| |
|
| This short segment of steep slab leads to the narrow bit. |
|
| |
|
| Fab cautiously walked the ridge but I chose to straddle it... |
|
| |
|
| Carefully walking across the chockstone. |
|
| |
|
| This slab is barely inclined. |
|
| |
|
| Cordonnier's summit ridge has exposed sections. |
|
| |
|
| Happy to boot down the alternate descent. |
|
| |
|
| Here we go! |
|
| |
|
| The fast way down. |
|
| |
|
| Tough to glissade in the punchy snow. |
|
| |
|
| An amazing view of Warrior Mountain and its connecting ridge. |
|
| |
|
| A glimpse at our tracks down the alternate descent. |
|
| |
|
| Beautiful moraine landscape, complete with small tarns. |
|
| |
|
| To our surprise, a crude trail exists on the moraine. |
|
| |
|
| Replenishing the water bottles and taking our boots off for a while. |
|
| |
|
| The trail on the east shore of Aster Lake. |
|
| |
|
| Packed up, we head out of this wonderful area. Bye bye grizzlies! |
|
| |
|
| The trail is visible along the mountainside. |
|
| |
|
| Chasing the sun around Hidden Lake. |
Back
to home page |
|
|