| Ref:
Alan Kane's Scrambles
in the Canadian Rockies |
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Big Elbow trailhead. |
| Scramble: RT
10.5; 5.75 up. It seemed there would be no escape from dismal
weather this weekend. We planned a trip where the possibility of
precipitation was least. Well prepared for some rain, we headed out
towards the Kananaskis. We were curious of how much snow remained in
the area. As we approached the mountains from Bragg Creek, we gasped at
the sight of Banded Peak; there was still lots of snow. It was
drizzling,
we questioned whether coming this way was the right decision... Still,
we continued. The bike ride is a cruise but the weight of the pack
pushing my bum on the seat wasn't that pleasant. We ditched our bikes
about 1 km ahead of the direct, steeper approach, 502187. Following the
light timbered rib is straightforward and we got
to treeline fairly quickly. The ascent ridge was free of snow to the
upper rockband preceding the false summit. We hiked on the slabs near
the ridge crest, that was very nice. The snow around the rockband was
soft but somewhat supportive. We easily reached the sub peak and
started our plod towards the true summit without hesitation. The
rockband midway looks challenging but we found it to be easier than the
last bit before the top; the ridge crest is easy moderate at most. As
we traveled, we could hear the rumbling of a thunderstorm brewing. The
sky was dark east of us, the pace hastened. At the same time, loose
avalanches were releasing and roaring to our left. The weather appeared
to be skirting us and we remained doused in sun. We enjoyed the
scrambling along the ridge crest, sometimes interrupted by a stretch of
soft snow. The last rockband provided a good challenge but it is not
difficult or exposed. Finally at the top, we relished the view along
with unexpected sun, feeling very fortunate. The descent went well,
with
numerous pauses to take pictures. We took the steep short-cut approach
on the way down reaching the Elbow Trail quicker. From there, we
casually walked back to where we stashed our bikes. The bike ride back
was nearly effortless! |
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To be expected at
this time of the year. |
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Cougar Mountain's
false summit and short-cut approach. |
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Treeline along the
ascent ridge. |
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Further along the
ridge. |
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Easy scrambling
leads to the upper rockband. |
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Contouring climber's
left of the rockband. |
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False summit ahead. |
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Goats stare at us
curiously from the highpoint. |
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The connecting ridge
to the true summit. |
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This rockband can be
traversed climber's left to avoid scrambling. |
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Easy moderate
scrambling near the ridge crest. |
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Looking back. |
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Nearing the true
summit. |
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Fab coming up to the
cairn. |
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Outlaw and Banded
Peaks to the north. |
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Posing at the top. |
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On our way down. |
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Looking back at some
moderate scrambling preceding the top. |
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Eastern view. |
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A quick break on the
connecting ridge. |
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A neat view onto the
ridge. |
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Another glimpse at
the rockband midway on the summit ridge. |
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More scrambling. |
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Cougar Mountain is
an enjoyable scramble. |
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Leaving the false
summit. |
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The Big Elbow Trail
is visible in the valley. |
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View of the short-cut approach from
treeline. |
| Back to home page |
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