Drive
to Kindersley/Pinnacle
FSR, 16.5 km north of Radium. Follow for about 8.5 km and turn right,
633249; park at an equestrian camp 500 meters down the road. The rest of the
road is
washed-out in places and is used as a horse trail. Follow the trail
heading east along the drainage, at 645259, it
veers south-east and intersects the ascent drainage, 648258. Ascend
climber's left of the drainage through a previously logged area gaining
the creekbed just prior to some bluffs. The bluffs are circumvented by
climbing a steep slope along the base of the slabs until it is possible
to start traversing into the draw. We travelled below more bluffs
without gaining or losing too much height and eventually reached
the creekbed. Continue up the drainage until extensive bluffs and a
tall waterfall impede the way, 653264;
from there, you need to pick your way through the bluffs climber's left
of the drainage. Several options requiring moderate scrambling exist. Bushwhacking
is not bad; with luck,
finding several game trails helps.
Above the waterfall, we came out of the trees and traversed into the
open slide path. Easy hiking
leads to sheer slabs and the ascent ridge. A steep exposed grassy ramp, 655271,
conveniently traverses up and through the slabs to the ascent ridge.
The summit ridge is then reached and easily heads to the top.
It is worth visiting Shyster Peak while you're there! |
|
 |
|
Aquaduct along
Kindersley FSR. |
|
 |
|
Dressed as a
pumpkin, ready to go! |
|
 |
|
|
The trailhead and
Mount Crook in the background, left. |
| Scramble:
RT 6.5;
4.0 up. Another "hit and miss" trip planned from
Google Earth. We brought the quad, it looked as if we could possibly
use it to get to the ascent gully. On the way there, the weather wasn't
really nice, when we parked the drizzle intensified. We slowly got our
stuff together, unloaded the quad and hung out in the truck for a bit.
The forecast called for clearing in the morning, therefore we kept our
hopes high and pursued the goal. We started by heading out on the wrong
service road, after a couple of kilometers we found the right
trailhead: the equestrian camp. Soon thereafter, we were forced
to leave the quad behind. The good trail quickly led us to the ascent
drainage. It is hard to describe our route exactly: a lot of
bushwhacking intersected by game trails with some travelling around and
through bluffs. Although the route is fairly straightforward, the
hiking is not the most pleasant. The trip becomes
enjoyable nearing the slide path. We pursued the summit with
replenished energy. The grassy ramp offered a direct route up to the
ascent ridge. The ground was still soft and offered good purchase; it
is not a good place for a slip! Finally, at treeline, the race for the
top was on. The wind picked up snow and pack straps, whipping them
around. Without goggles, we put our heads down and plodded up. We were
happy to see the rimed summit cairn and relieved we didn't have to
venture along the broken ridge further north. We stayed no more than 5
minutes before retreating back down to treeline. After a nice break, we
backtracked almost the same way we came up. |
|
 |
|
On the horse trail,
along the creek. |
|
 |
|
In the drainage,
avoiding bluffs pushes us high above the creekbed. |
|
 |
|
High bluffs. |
|
 |
|
Looking back at our
approach. |
|
 |
|
Finally out of the
trees, we veer left, up an open slide path. |
|
 |
|
|
The nice slide
path. Ahead, across the slabs is the grassy ramp. |
|
|
 |
|
|
We ascend the grassy
ramp. |
|
|
 |
|
|
It is steep; luckily
the ground isn't frozen yet. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The summit comes
into view, yeah! |
|
|
 |
|
|
We
gained the ridgeline on the left hand side. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Summit ridge. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Blistery wind at the
top. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The
southern view. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Heading back down
the same way. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Almost back in the
trees for a sheltered break. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The slide path. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Back on the horse
trail. |
| Back
to home page |
|
|