| Ref: Alan Kane's
Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies |
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Heart Mountain. |
| Scramble: RT
5.0; 3.5 up (excluding Twin Towers) Heart Mountain is a fine shoulder
season scramble, the trail is typically dry. This year the mountains
received plenty of snow and last weeks' 30 cm just added to the
pile! Fab and I have done the Heart Mountain Loop a long time
ago. At the time, with no website, we didn't feel the urge to take
pictures. Now that we are coming back this way, with the intent of
climbing the Twin Towers, I will redeem myself. Even with snow, people
come this way for good exercise and a great view. The trail was well
packed and having crampons was nice on the stiff morning snow. Soon
after a couple of easy rock steps we stood on the treed summit of Heart
Mountain. We continued walking to a dip where all traffic ended; Grant
MacEwan Peak came in sight. We strapped on the snowshoes and followed
the connecting ridge to the highpoint of the horseshoe loop. We won't
be doing the loop, instead we will carry on towards the Twin Towers and
return the same way. First, we'll take time to enjoy the surroundings
from this newly named peak! |
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Straightforward and popular ascent. |
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Approaching the moderate step. |
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Not much of a step with the snow. |
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Nearing the summit. |
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| | Trail marker indicating a ledge. |
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| | Top of Heart Mountain with Twin Towers in the background. |
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The start of the connecting ridge to Grant MacEwan Peak. |
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Grant MacEwan and the continuing horseshoe loop (left). |
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| | Further along the ridge. |
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| | Almost there. |
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At the top of Grant MacEwan Peak. |
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Looking back towards Heart Mountain. |
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Continue
on to Twin Towers |
| Back
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