Ref: Drew
and Mark in the Canadian Rockies. |
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At the trailhead. |
Alpine climb:
RT 10.5 (including Yoho Peak); 3.0 up from bivy site. Mont Des
Poilus is a stunning, tall mountain. It had been on our "to do" list
for a long time but we had never committed mainly due to its remote
location; also it is a serious ski trip for two people (Chic Scott
Summits and Icefields). In August 2009, Andrew Nugara wrote a trip
report of his amazing "tour de force"; ascending Des Poilus and
returning the same day. Thanks to him, we had an appealing summer
alternative. Our doggies were pre-booked at the Bed
& Biscuit
for this weekend and the weather was promising. Additionally, a group
of climbers just made an ascent the week before and wrote a great trip
report. Seeing the conditions and route was a bonus, thanks Vern.
Approach:
After a half day of work for both Fab and I, we rushed our hounds to
Aunty Lisa's, came home, threw our packs in the car, grabbed
some
Subway and drove to the trailhead. We left the car at 4 PM. We were
prepared for a long hike in, we plodded along the lovely Twin Falls
Trail and reached to top of the falls in 3 hours. A nice trail (cairn
just ahead of the campground) leads to a tarn further up Waterfall
Valley. After the tarn, the trail is less distinguishable and random
hiking is used to reach the glacial lake. At the lake, we stayed high
and traversed on top of the moraine, cairns indicate the way. Following
that section, we dropped down to the glacier where we recognized the
other party's bivy site. We arrived at 9 PM, with about an hour of
daylight remaining to set up and eat.
It was a cool night, the
stars were many and the half moon lit up the darkness; perfect
conditions. We stepped on the glacier by 6 AM. Travelling was
straightforward and we quickly reached the snow covered ascent slopes.
As we continued up the lower mountain, tracks from previous groups
became more obvious. Although the route and bergschrund were well
covered with firm summer snow, we were slightly uneasy; numerous large
crevasses exist along the way. In little time we gained the south ridge
where we unroped. The final stretch of blocky terrain easily leads to
the short summit ridge. We reached the top by 9 AM. I started taking a
bunch of
pictures while Fab named all the familiar mountains. Unfortunately, the
nagging wind made us seek shelter between some big rocks, our stay was
brief. Coming down, the snow had softened enough for plunge
stepping. After a swift descent, we continued to the bare ice below and
engaged in a casual
plod across the glacier towards Yoho Peak.
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Laughing Falls. |
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Twin Falls through
the trees. |
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Top of Twin Falls. |
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Another beautiful
waterfall. |
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Mont Des Poilus
comes into view. |
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Lovely seed heads of
the Western Anemone. |
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At the tarn, the
trail dissipates. |
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Random hiking to the
glacial lake. |
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Staying high above
the lake to reach the glacier. |
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The glacial lake,
complete with icebergs. |
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A ramp at the top of
the steep moraine. |
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Beyond the lake, we
dip down to our bivy site at the glacier. |
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9 PM, time to eat! |
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Nearing Mont Des
Poilus early morning. |
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The sun is coming up
as we reach the snow slopes. |
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Looking back towards
Yoho Peak. |
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Travelling is good
on the firm snow. |
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The bergschrund is
well covered. |
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Looking down from
the top of the steep slope above the bergschrund. |
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This stretch leads
to the south ridge. |
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Last pitch of snow. |
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Easy scramble to the
top. |
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Fab on the short
summit ridge. |
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Sudden urge to get
down!!! |
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The northern view
from the summit. |
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Mount Balfour.
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Mount Mummery in the
Blaeberry. |
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Mount Laussedat to
the west. |
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We rebuilt the cairn
before leaving the windy summit. |
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Down the south
ridge, The Presidents in the background. |
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Over the edge! |
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Roped up again. |
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The track is visible
all the way to the ridge. |
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A big crevasse along
the route. |
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Runnels on the pink
glacier. |
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An old moulin. |
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Very, very deep
pothole. |
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The route we
followed.
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Our next
destination, Yoho Peak. |
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Continue
on to Yoho Peak |
Back
to home page |
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