| Ref: Nugara's More
Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies -2nd Edition
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Leaving Whistler
Mountain and investigating the two alluring summits on right.
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Scramble:
RT 8.0 (includes Whistler Mountain); 1.5 up. Since
I don't have Andrew's scrambling book, I was unaware that this was a
feasible route; the objective was a
last minute destination and I was uncertain about whether I would be
able to traverse to the summit. I was actually aiming for the prominent
highpoint east of Whistler Mountain when this summit and its twin peak
caught
my attention. I had time to spare and the lure was great so I decided
to give the traverse a try. It was still very windy but other than
that, the weather was nice. I traversed to the connecting ridge towards
my new objective. Easy scrambling up the ridge along trees led to
a snowy section. I carefully travelled on faint trail segments on both
the north
and south sides of the ridge crest; it wasn't difficult but the
lichen-covered rock had a skiff of snow, that
combination made travel treacherous. I was really happy to reach the
summit, it was a "surprise" peak for me! I dropped my pack and braced
myself, the wind was definitely howling and it was
tough to get good pictures. I considered traversing to the twin peak to
the east but the conditions weren't that favorable, no one knew
where I was and backtracking or descending in the unknown didn't appeal
to me. Following a short stay at the top, I
returned to Whistler Mountain and picked up the lookout trail further.
This
was a very satisfying day in the mountains. I will come back in
this region that's for sure!
Note: I later found out that a traverse from Frankie to Larry is
possible, rated difficult by Nugara; it is also possible to descend
back to the road via North Castle and its south-west ridge.
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Aiming
for the connecting ridge ahead.
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Mount
Gladstone, Larry Mountain and Frankie Peak (L to R).
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Interesting
ridge, windswept on the one side and treed on the other.
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After
a bit of scrambling, I come upon some snow.
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Travelling
on the southern aspect with Castle Peak in view.
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A
trail segment on the northern side with the objective in front.
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Looking
back.
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Larry
Mountain and Mount Gladstone behind it as seen from the summit.
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View
north over Table Mountain.
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The
route I travelled from Whistler Mountain.
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Heading
down.
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A
faint trail is visible at times.
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Circumventing
the ridge crest.
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On
the ridge proper once again.
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Backtracking
on snow patches.
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Larry
Mountain and Frankie Peak are apparently the same height.
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The
reddish connecting ridge.
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Back
on Whistler Mountain.
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Beautiful
sight.
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Last
glimpse.
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Southfork
Mountain (left of center) and Syncline Mountain (right of center).
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Making
my way to the lookout's trail.
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Easy
trek back to the trailhead.
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