Ref: David P. Jones' Rogers Pass Alpine guide.
Via North Ridge Route -class 3
|
|
|
|
|
The Sifton clan: Ariane, Fab, Val, Jay (L to R) and myself.
|
Scramble:
RT 15.0; 8.0 up. This
classic class 3 scramble via the North Ridge is a beautiful and
exciting outing that finishes with a steep snow slope to the top. When
I mentioned it as an option to Jay and Ariane, they were quick to
accept and drive to Golden for supper the night before. I also invited
my good friend Val; I hadn't seen him for a long time and I figured
that since this was in his backyard, there was a good chance he could
join us. The following day, we set out early and met with Val at the
Hermit Meadows parking lot. The grind up the steep trail to the meadows
went well, it didn't seem too long as I conversed pretty much the
whole way. At the end of the trail, we easily made our way to the
Sifton-Rogers Col; from there, we began scrambling up the blocky
ridge. Almost right from the start, we came upon a drop off on the
ridge proper; after some "looking around" for a better option, Fabrice
found a way to circumvent the drop and we resumed our ascent. We
were worried about the steep buttress that precedes the snow slope, it
appeared complex and difficult; we ended up traversing that section of
the ridge on its west aspect. This turned out to be entirely
unnecessary as walking the ridge crest offers fun scrambling and is a
way better option. Once at the snow slope, we donned crampons and
climbed to the top. The final pitch proved to be quite steep, I was
glad to have crampons and I made good use of my axe! Our summit stay
was nice, it was mild and not too breezy. The view of the tall glaciated
mountains all around never disappoints and the company was great. After
a good while, we started heading down. Descending the steep snow
required care, we had to front-point the initial steep bit. Lower on the slope, some of us decided to glissade; including
Ariane which might have gone a bit too far down unwillingly,
...self arresting in the softening snow was not an easy task as she
found out! Back on rock, we put away
our crampons and continued our descent on the ridge crest. It was
mainly a walk with easy scrambling right until we got to the steeper
part; there, we picked our way circumventing difficulties on the west
side. A route always revealed itself and was never too difficult, it
seemed several options were possible and the scrambling on the blocky
terrain was delightful. We backtracked down the col and took another
good break next to a stream before heading back down to the parking
lot. I think it's fair to say we all enjoyed this outing in the
stunning mountains of Rogers Pass. This ridge
offers excellent scrambling, it is thoroughly enjoyable!
|
|
|
|
The end of the trail at Hermit Meadows.
|
|
|
|
Pleasant random hiking to the Sifton Basin.
|
|
|
|
Mount MacDonald and the Asulkan Drainage beyond Hermit Meadows.
|
|
|
|
Aiming for the Sifton-Rogers Col.
|
|
 |
|
Looking back at the clan, clouds come and go.
|
|
 |
|
Our objective is the snow-capped peak in the center.
|
|
 |
|
My good friend Val is happy to be out on this classic outing situated in his backyard.
|
|
 |
|
Fab takes pictures while Ariane "rocks the house"!!
|
|
|
|
Ascending snow to the col.
|
|
|
|
|
On the ridge, let the scrambling begin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Following the ridge crest.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
An easy route reveals itself climber's left.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Navigating through big blocks.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Thumbs up!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Straightforward so far.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
What's that Jay... a drop off?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Circumventing the "drop off" by backtracking a bit and going around climber's left.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back on the ridge proper with the "drop off" behind us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking back at the "drop off" again; fun scrambling here.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The buttress ahead looks steep!
|
|
|
 |
|
|
At the steep buttress, we go around difficulties climber's right.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Nearing the snow slope and summit.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Ariane and Jay making their way to the snow slope.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Sifton Basin below with topless Mount Tupper.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ascending the steep snow slope to the top.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking back at the North Ridge.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Jay at the top!!
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Summit shot of the clan.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Looking west towards Wolverine Peak.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The highway below and one of the ski runs from Little Sifton on the right.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Heading down with Ariane rockin' out with her air guitar.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The top pitch requires "front-pointing" for descending.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
To glissade or not...
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Back on the fabulous ridge.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The ridge crest grants good travel.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Moderate scrambling moves keep the outing interesting.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Big blocks with no scree equals delightful.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Skirting difficulties on the west side until lower down on the ridge.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
A look back at the entertaining ridge.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Loving this scramble and the awe-inspiring scenery.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Happy, good-looking bunch!!
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Pas de chat.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
More of this aesthetic ridge line and snowy summit.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Mounts Tupper and MacDonald on the right.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
A close up of beautiful Mount Tupper.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Returned at the "drop off".
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Kuddos bitches!!!!
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Navigating the big blocks from earlier.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Taking an alternate descent.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Enjoying a fine break before resuming our descent.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Illecillewaet Glacier; I love Rogers Pass!
|
| Back
to home page |
|
|