| Ref: Alan Kane's
Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies |
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The end of the
pipeline. |
| Scramble: RT 9.0; 4.5 up. Both Fab and I have
put off this outing several times over the years. The weather was good
so we decided to try it. We left the car early, under blue sky but the
forecasted late afternoon thunderstorms set the pace. With fast strides
and no detours, we made our way up Exshaw and Fable Creek. Before
reaching the headwall preceding the col, we veered climber's right, up
a treed rib instead of following the scree trail on the left of the
creek. That option offers some shade and a direct line to the right
side of the headwall, which is then ascended. After reaching the col,
the best is yet to come. The slabs leading to the summit ridge are
interrupted by cracks filled with scree; an easy way presents itself.
We soon stood by the "crack" which leads to the "ledge" on the
south-west side of the ridge. Indeed the ledge is narrower near the
crest, it's airy coming down! From there the summit is visible. The
ridge is narrow at times; good thing the wind wasn't gusting. After a
good rest at the top, we started our descent carefully; once at the
col, it was fast down the loose shale to the headwall. Happy about
still having nice weather, a couple of nice breaks broke up our return.
Mount Fable turned out to be fabulous! |
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We crossed the creek
a few times along the way. |
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Fable is getting a
bit closer. |
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We followed the
drainage to a treed rib. |
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Ahead, we veered
away from the main trail into the treed terrain. |
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Going up the
headwall. |
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Loose shale leads to
the col. |
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Scrambling begins. |
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We made our way
through the slabs with little difficulty. |
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The "crack" comes
into view. |
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Standing at the
crest of the "ledge", the last bit to the summit. |
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"Powering up" for
the descent. |
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Great view of
Morrowmount. |
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Looking north-west
along the summit ridge. |
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Looking down the
"ledge", the "crack" is visible. |
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The airy "ledge". |
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Reaching for a snack! |
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We retraced our
steps through the treed rib. |
| Back
to home page |
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