Via the James Walker Creek trail and north-west facing
slopes. See pictures for our route description.
|
|
 |
|
|
Mount James Walker
in the background mirrors in the small unnamed lake.
|
Scramble:
RT 11.0; 5.5 up.When we did Mount
Lawson in 2006, traversing to Mount Inflexible was out of the question,
we had Winston dog with us and I didn't have the skills. Recently, a
couple of vague trip reports have popped up on the
internet describing ascents from the James
Walker Creek trail. That approach was very appealing to me, the
popular trail
isn't very long and the way to the mountain's ascent slopes only
requires a
5 minute walk through open timber from the trail. Beyond the trees, the
whole scramble
is
revealed. Travel up the talus isn't particularly unpleasant, Fab and I
stopped often to
look at the mountain and visualize possible lines of ascent. Our
friend Jay used a gully bridged by snow to gain a prominent scree
ramp, that
option didn't seem safe with the presence of moats. Another friend,
Raff, came
down from the north summit using that scree ramp and slabby benches.
The
latter, although unclear, seemed to provide the better route; we
agreed it was worth investigating. The prominent scree ramp appeared to
go all the
way to the summit ridge avoiding all the outcrops on the ridge crest.
The ascent started easy
enough but as we got higher, the small rockbands separating the slabby
benches became increasingly taller. As we began traversing towards the
ramp, we encountered the crux of the climb: friction walking on
moderately steep downsloping slabs with unfavourable runouts. Some
route
finding was
necessary to negotiate crossing over several ribs. Once we reached the
ramp, we resumed a fairly easy
climb on snow and slabs. Higher up, slabs gave way
to very loose terrain. Every step made talus shift all around
sending rocks into our shins, it was a great relief to step onto the
ridge. On the way to the north summit, I couldn't resist peering
over the overhanging ridge for an exhilarating glance straight down to
the valley below. I was a bit disappointed that the summit didn't have
a
register or a cairn, I decided to build one. We enjoyed a long stay at
the top, the weather was
stellar.
Even though I was happy to be on
the taller peak, I felt like our adventure wasn't complete until we
visited the other
summit; Fab agreed and off we went. The traverse took about an hour, we
had to circumvent several
outcrops on loose terrain, checking every hold along the way. We were
thrilled to reach the second summit, the view onto Mount Lawson and the
Kent Creek
Valley is
entirely worth it. The side trip also provided the opportunity to
descend a different way. We used a ramp that parallels the one we
ascended, it is situated higher and connects easily to the
other ramp. Nearing the waterfalls, we came down an alternate way that
we
spotted while going
up the steep
slabby benches; it was nice to avoid those! All and all, today's
scramble was
very satisfying. The view
from both summits is worthwhile and the approach via James Walker
isn't long and tedious. We really liked this one, a true scrambler's
delight!
|
|
 |
|
A
5 minute walk off the James Walker Creek trail in open timber leads to
this talus slope. |
|
 |
|
The
arrows
indicate our chosen route to the north summit and the descent from the
south summit. The descent route is the preferred way to get above the
waterfalls.
|
|
 |
|
Initially,
the route is straightforward.
|
|
 |
|
Following
the path of least resistance.
|
|
 |
|
|
Again,
the arrows indicate our routes up and down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
snow gully (above Fab) can be ascended to reach the prominent scree
ramp but it is more hazardous.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
A
bit of moderate scrambling.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Traversing
on downsloping slabs, visible lower down is the easier way to access
the prominent scree ramp.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Aiming
for a weakness to surmount a short rockwall.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The
traverse on slabs delivered us on the scree ramp which easily leads to
the summit ridge.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Looking
back.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Enjoying
the remaining snow.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
An
interesting slab along the ascent.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The
strata on Mount Inflexible is quite distinctive with several scree
ramps. Noticeable is the easy passage on snow from the upper ramp we
chose on the way down. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The
final talus pitch to the ridge is very loose.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
On
the summit ridge with the south summit in the background.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Peering
down the overhanging summit ridge on the way to the north summit.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Happy
to reach the top of the higher but unofficial summit of Mount
Inflexible.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Mount
James Walker to the north.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Mount
Assiniboine is always easy to pick out.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Mount
Kidd, Spoon Needle and The Wedge are just a few scrambles from highway
40.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Mount
Joffre south of us looms over surrounding peaks.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Traversing
to the south summit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fabrice
is delighted, this is a good scramble!
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Mount
Kent North's connecting ridge also allows a traverse to Mount
Inflexible. The arrows depict the ramps we used.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Talus
and a short scramble on loose terrain is required to reach the top of
the official summit. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Typical
terrain.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Checking
out the register.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The
lovely broad basin between Mounts Lawson and Kent is worth seeing.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Mount
Lawson and its infamous traverse.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Glancing
at the apparently higher north summit.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Heading
back down.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The
very loose talus isn't the most pleasant even on the way down...
|
|
|
 |
|
|
...but
the snow is always welcome!
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Connecting
the upper scree bench with the lower ramp we used on the approach.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Aiming
for an alternate way that avoids the slabs.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The
alternate way is easier than the traverse on slabs from our approach.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
A
clear view of the passage to the scree ramp.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Back
on the initial part of the climb.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Looking
up at the waterfalls.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The
talus slope which leads to the James Walker Creek trail.
|
| Back
to home page |
|
|