Ref: Alan Kane's
Scrambles
in the Canadian Rockies
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The trail follows the drainage lower down. |
| Scramble: RT
8.0; 4.0 up. This
outing was spontaneous, we decided to visit The Wedge after reading a
recent
trip report on Clubtread. We met Charles at the Wedge Pond parking lot
early to allow us some time to pick up new hiking boots in Banff
after the scramble. Past the metal gate at the trailhead, we went right
on a gravel path; within 20 meters, we found
the ascent trail on our left. The trail keeps to the east side of the
drainage; it is washed out for a short distance
before climbing towards the ridge. We encountered snow at
treeline, we skirted a lot of it and followed tracks. Once at the base
of the summit block, we took a break. Charles said he heard voices,
that's when we noticed three figures coming up; we recognized Marko and
Amelie right away! The third person looked familiar... it was Matthew
Hobbs! So here we had it, an instant mountain posse. We were very
excited to meet fellow scramblers we know from the internet. We carried
on and quickly reached a steep section and a gully that lead to the
ascent slopes.
It was clear these people had experience, they were careful not to
dislodge rocks and they waited patiently to remain as a group; it was
comforting for me, I don't have the strongest scrambling skills... After the
initial scrambly bit, we followed a crude trail to the north summit. In little
time, we stood
above the crux; indeed it's airy, my hands were moist as I watched
Marko, Amelie and Charles negotiate the exposed section of the ridge. I
decided to leave my pack behind; I took a couple of long breaths,
exhaled and proceeded, only looking at the terrain I needed to latch
onto. The narrow ridge becomes like an arête (hard to see on pictures);
I straddled that part and
moved awkwardly to safer ground. The remainder of the connecting ridge
is
quite trivial after that! I was thrilled to step on the summit and
enjoy the view, the company and the feat. After a decent stay at the
top, we headed down. I found the crux a little easier but still
difficult... I expressed a sigh of relief as I picked up my backpack
and high-fived Fab and Matthew. At the base of the summit block, I went
to gather up my poles but there was only one. We looked around while
Matthew told us a story about a marmot stealing and chewing
a pole; ha ha, we continued down a short distance and
scoped out the terrain for my pole. No pole was seen. I went back up
and found
my pole in an unlikely place; Matthew is right, there are rabid marmots
in the Rockies. |
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| The terrain opens up.
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Nearing the base of the summit block. |
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| Instant posse: Matthew, Amelie, Marko, Fabrice and Charles. |
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| Initial scrambly bit. |
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| After a short gully, we make our way up the ascent slopes. |
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| Getting close to the summit ridge. |
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| Marko and Matthew. |
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| Almost at the north summit. |
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| True summit ahead. |
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| Marko, Amelie and Charles negotiating the airy crux. |
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| Looking back from safer ground. |
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| The remainder of the ridge is much easier.
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| The ridge narrows in places. |
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| Enjoyable traverse. |
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| Reaching the top. |
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| Whoot, whoot! |
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| The Fortress, Gusty Peak and Mount Galatea. |
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| Leaving the top. |
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| Small patches of snow along the way. |
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| Amelie is hugging the arête-like feature climber's right; I clambered on over and straddled the narrow part. |
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| Back down the talus slopes on a crude trail. |
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| Entering the gully, careful not to dislodge rocks. |
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| Mount Kidd and Wedge Pond. |
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| Today was fantastic! We made new friends, nobody got hurt and I found my stolen pole! |
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