| Ref: Bob
Spirko's Road not taken |
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Open ascent slopes,
dogs are out of sight. |
| Scramble:
RT 5.25; 2.75 up. The forecast for the Bow Valley called
for warm sunny weather; it seemed like a good opportunity to take the
dogs for a camping trip where they could roam on grasses. The Front
Ranges are especially dry this season... I sent some invites and
started packing all the stuff
we needed for a fine stay with our hounds at the Bighorn Campground.
After 5 hours of driving, we arrived a bit tardy at Maze's ascent
slope; a posse was awaiting. We unleashed the hounds and they went on
to greet everybody like mad dogs. Charles was there and Raff brought a
couple of friends as well, So is the Man
and an ice climbing friend
named Keith. We quickly put on our boots and started up the slope. The
atmosphere was great with the dogs and that many people. Fab and I had
already planned to split up, Daisy suffers from arthritis and we didn't
want to risk taking her too far. On the ridge, Fab stayed with the
hounds in the shallow treed dell; from there, he could see the summit
ridge and enjoy the sun without the wind. The summit ridge was
mostly free of snow and provided easy slab scrambling,
difficulties have
bypasses. I called Fab on the radio when we reached the top, I
could hear the doggies below. It was windy and a bit chilly up there,
we took summit pictures and grabbed a quick snack without lingering too
long. I enjoyed the short descent and was thrilled to see Lincoln
running towards us. Reunited, we had another
break before returning to the cars. I felt happy that the outing wasn't
over;
after saying
goodbye to our fellow hikers, we set camp around a nice bonfire and
enjoyed a lovely evening with content dogs... That's a good life! |
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Nearing the ridge
crest in little time. |
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Rupert is looking
for someone to throw the stick. |
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Lincoln is looking
back, waiting for the stragglers. |
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The objective in
sight, Fabrice stays behind with the dogs. |
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We easily
circumvented this buttress climber's right. |
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One of the few snow
patches. |
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Yelled "So is the
Man" to get his attention! |
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Dipping down to the
saddle, two scramblers are returning from the summit. |
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Easy slabs on the
summit ridge. |
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Going around
difficulties. |
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Summit ahead. |
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At the cairn, yippee!
Picture courtesy of Charles. |
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Eastern view. |
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So presents the view
west. |
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Shortly after
leaving the top, we bypass an outcrop. |
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Last glimpse. |
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Dry conditions
rendered the slabs easy. |
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More slabs. |
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Back at treeline. |
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Rejoined with my
puppies and hubby. |
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Down we go! |
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The part I always
look forward to, cheers!
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| Back
to home page |
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