Ref: Chic Scott's Summits
and Icefields
Note: In the book, this objective is described on
the Popes Peak page. |
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Narao Shoulder from
the trailhead. |
| Snowshoe trip:
RT 10.0; 5.0 up. This outing
is meant to be done on skis to take advantage of the nice high alpine
skiing and quick return. Unfortunately for me, because of a torn
ACL, this isn't a favorable option. Fab decided to forgo his skis and
accompany
me on snowshoes. It was almost -20° Celsius when we started up the Lake
O'Hara road. We beelined in the trees on a good uptrack about 1.5
kilometers from the parking lot, at the crest of a hill. The solidified
snowpack granted easy travel; we joined the Ross Lake Trail for a short
bit then we continued on an uptrack towards Narao Shoulder. From there,
we traversed into the hanging valley. As we
proceeded, we lost the sun; there wasn't much stopping... We gained the
moraine higher up and negotiated the rockband before stepping on the
final steep slopes. I was excited, the stable snowpack and firm surface
would grant an easier access to the col and sub summit of lofty Popes
Peak. Visibility was flat and a type of haze hindered the magnificent
view. We trudged onward to the col with a good distance in between us,
the summit appeared very close. The final jaunt up Popes' outlier is
mercifully short; the view was amazing despite the haze. Our stay was
brief, we didn't have the luxury of gliding back home and it
was cold. As we glissaded down, we noticed a group of 5
skiers on the moraine, they were turning around. The skiing didn't
appear to be stellar but it sure was much faster than walking!
Backtracking up the shoulder was pleasant and the rest of the descent
didn't take too long. This is a very rewarding trip, even on
snowshoes! |
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Well-used uptrack to
the shoulder. |
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Continuing towards
the shoulder. |
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Over to the hanging
valley. |
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Our objective in the
distance. |
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Very pleasant trek up the draw. |
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Gaining the moraine. |
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We continued on the
moraine. |
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The weakness in the
rockband. |
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Climbing the
weakness. |
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Starting up the
upper steep slopes. |
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Glaciated slope to
Popes Col. |
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Little Popes, or
Vatican Peak according to The Raffinator. |
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Divide Mountain
north of us. |
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Tracks all the way
to the confined summit. |
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Mount Whyte to the
east. |
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Popes Peak and Narao
Peak at the far right. |
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Plain of Six
Glaciers straight south. |
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Sticking my thumb
out for a ride down... |
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No worries mate,
follow me! |
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Back down the
weakness in the rockband. |
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Skiers are visible
on the moraine. |
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Looking back. |
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The flats before the
gentle climb over the shoulder. |
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Lots of Larch in the
hanging valley. |
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Up and over. |
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The highway below, a
familiar sight. |
| Back
to home page |
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