| Ref: Alan
Kane's
Scrambles
in the Canadian Rockies |
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Getting ready for
the downclimb. |
Scramble:
RT:14.0 (including Mount Kerr, Kiwetinok Peak and Mount Pollinger); 1.0
up from Pollinger. Getting down from Mount Pollinger onto the
connecting ridge is the only obstacle on the way to Mount McArthur. The
15-meter plus downclimb is significant. I knew before coming that I
would
require a rope and I was glad we brought one when I saw the
length of the pitch. Fab rigged up an anchor and rappelled,
I followed.
We left the rope in place and continued hiking at a casual pace towards
our last objective of the day. It was
late in the afternoon but the weather was fantastic; it was warm, the
wind was calm and the clouds were scattered. At the top, we both felt
really good about this feat; we sat there for over half an hour before
considering leaving. Our return back to Mount Pollinger was nice, I
felt quite thrilled about today. Upon reaching the crux, my heart rate
increased. Fab climbed back up the rope and belayed me up the pitch. I
can't imagine doing this without a rope, hats-off to people who do!
Well, as we put away the rope, we couldn't help to feel it was all easy
downhill from here. We boot skied all the way back to the lake where we
picked up the trail. We lollygagged back to our campsite.
Exit:
The following day, Fab impulsively suggested we come out
the Iceline Trail. That turned out to be icing on the cake! From our
direction, the
well-trodden trail was quiet. The height gain on the Iceline Trail
isn't
significant from Stanley Mitchell Hut, it makes sense to take the
opportunity to head out that way. Beyond treeline, the landscape is
phenomenal, travelling on moraines surrounded by glaciers and glacial
lakes. The popular trail is in great shape, it is very pleasant hiking
it. As we started descending, we encountered more people. We couldn't
help noticing how steep and long the climb is from Takakkaw Falls; not
the approach of choice to get to Stanley Mitchell Hut! |
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Here we go! |
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Mount McArthur, our
last summit for today. |
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The ascent is just a
walk. |
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Summit cairn ahead. |
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The Presidents from
the top. |
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A look back at the
traverse of the previous three summits. |
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Fourth summit today,
this marks my 100th Kane scramble. |
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Heading back. |
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Pleasant hiking. |
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A raven is perched
on the cairn of Mount Pollinger. |
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The crux, Fab is
visible at the bottom. |
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Self-belaying up the
rope. |
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Almost at the top of
the crux. |
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Taking a direct
route down. |
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Fast and fun! |
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Walking to another
snow slope with Mount Kerr in the background. |
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Snow all the way
down to the lake, which has no more ice on it. |
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Alternate descent
off Mount Pollinger. |
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Going around Kiwetinok Lake. |
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Following a good
trail back down. |
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The following day,
we head out via the Iceline Trail. |
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At treeline, the
trail is visible on the moraine far away. |
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The scenery is
phenomenal, so glad we came out this way. |
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Looking back. |
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A small glacial lake
along the way. |
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We are starting to
see other hikers. |
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How many years until
the glacier is gone? |
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Groups of hikers
along the swept trail. |
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On the swept
pavement, enjoying the landscape. |
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Takakkaw Falls. |
| Back to home page |
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