| Ref: Drew
and Mark in the Canadian Rockies |
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This trail starts
from the Boundary Ranch Loop and soon vanishes. |
| Snowshoe trip:
RT 10.5; 6.0 up. This trip is an excellent winter scramble but it
requires 800 meters of height gain bushwhacking and most
likely
breaking trail up the west facing slopes beyond Boundary Ranch. It's
another 100 meters (H.G.) to the vast ridge top called Old Baldy and an
additional 400 meters to Old Baldy Mountain. Just like last weekend, we
were counting on the alpine being denuded from recent strong southern
winds. We met Charles at Bounday Ranch and quickly got going on the
plowed loop. Shortly thereafter, we veered on a trail but it soon
vanished... We started making our way through the trees, aiming to
ascend climber's left of the obvious drainage. The terrain is steep but
the forest isn't choked. At first, the snowpack was
shallow; snowshoes dug down to the ground for decent purchase.
Higher up, trail breaking and following became more arduous; postholing
knee-deep and slipping back most steps, we used trees to reef ourselves
upward. Charles broke trail with enthusiasm for most of the way;
ahhhhhh, to be young again... Anyway, once on the wind-swept ridge,
travelling was great. The sun was warm and we felt optimistic. We
ascended scree, snow and even a bit of rock along the scenic ridge. At
the top, we put on extra layers but the bitter wind kept us from
enjoying the view for very long. We headed down and found shelter in
the sun. We had a good lunch break before resuming our descent. After
retrieving our snowshoes, we proceeded towards the forest for a
slippery return. We pulled out the headlamp for the last half hour.
This was a very satisfying day! |
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Ascending climber's
left of the drainage. |
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Higher up in the
trees, the snowpack is deeper and still unsupportive. |
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Nearing the
wind-swept slopes of Old Baldy Ridge. |
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Looking back from
Old Baldy. |
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The ridge leads to
our objective. |
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Old Baldy Mountain. |
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Looking back at the
vast, barren ridge. |
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An impressive
vertical rock slab. |
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The Wedge in the
background. |
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Getting closer. |
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Staying close to the
ridge crest. |
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A short slab section
precedes the summit. |
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Last bit. |
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Traverse to Mount
McDougall. |
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Happy to be at the
top but it's windy and quite cold! |
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Heading down
promptly to seek shelter. |
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Skirting the slab
section. |
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The summer trail
joins the west ridge from the valley below. |
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Last glimpse at the
false summit. |
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We found shelter
next to this outcrop and had a good long break. |
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More conversation
while we retrieve our snowshoes. |
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We begin a slippery
descent as the sun sets... |
| Back to home page |
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