Ref: -Willi's Homepage
and
-Bob
Spirko's Road not taken |
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Along Spencer Creek. |
| Scramble: RT 8.5; 4.25 up. This
scramble was bitter-sweet. As we drove towards our objective, it was
clear the weather would not be nice at all. The clouds were dark and
low, accompanied by a nagging wind. We decided to take a gamble and
start up the trail. Once at the back of the draw, it started to
drizzle. With 1000 meters to go, summiting was doubtful. We continued
up the grassy slope to the scree cone. The wind was drying the moisture
off our pants, leaving us chilled but dry. After climbing for
a while, we reached the top of the cone; the way is obvious from here.
I asked Fab if he wanted to continue, without much enthusiasm he said
he'd follow... Therefore, up the notch and onto the upper slopes we
went. With reduced visibility, we climbed to the summit ridge. The
lingering snow
was stiff due to cool temperatures. With no crampons, we had to kick
into the slope several times to get a good step in. We each took a turn
at this knee-bashing experience. Finally, on the summit ridge, we
blindly walked towards the obscured summit. I was glad to see the cairn
and register confirming the top. The view from this lofty summit is
exquisite I'm sure. Nevertheless, today, I'm happy just to be here,
despite miserable conditions. I snapped a couple of pictures
and we instantly left the top. Our retreat down was with little pause.
At treeline, next to a huge rock, we had our first real break. Although
this trip was miserable (the bitter part), I couldn't help but to feel
thankful we had been granted a straightforward ascent up Mount
Lougheed (the sweet part). |
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Further up, we hiked
on the creek bed. |
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Nearing the back of
the draw. |
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Looking back down
the drainage. |
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We ascended the
grassy slope ahead. |
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Getting closer to
the top of the scree cone. |
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Just below cloud
level, dealing with blowing snow. |
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I soon start to look
for the traverse to the notch. |
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Just one long scree
slope. |
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A big cairn (above
the snow) indicates the weakness up the rib and into the next bowl. |
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The upper mountain
is still snowbound. |
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Great visibility on
the summit ridge. |
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At the top, really? |
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This is it! No view
and my fingers are too numb to open and sign the register... |
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Hasty but careful
retreat down the stiff snow. |
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One last look
towards the upper slopes. |
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The wind is fierce. |
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Below the notch,
visibility returns but the wind remains. |
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Maybe the trees will
shelter us for our first real break? |
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Feeling beaten down! |
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Back on the trail,
easy cruisin'. |
| Back
to home page |
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