| Ref: Vern
Dewitt's page |
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The moon is setting
behind Peyto Peak. |
| Scramble: RT 13.0 (including Caldron Peak); 5.75
up.
Once again, we left Golden in time to drive through the highway's nightly construction
closures. We left the parking lot at 4:30 AM. The nearly full moon
illuminated our way and cast shadows on the nearby mountains; following
the trail was quite easy. The sun came up as we headed above the
headwall towards Caldron Lake. After 3.5 hours, we started hiking
around the lake to Mistaya's ascent snow gully. We travelled on the
snow for a bit; when the top of the ascent gully came into view, the
way became apparent. We put on our crampons to proceed up the
glaciated slope. The ascent was relatively short and the steeper
section is manageable. Once on the broad ridge, the scenery
unfolds and is almost unsurpassable. We casually walked to the summit
but did not stay for too long, having another objective for the day.
The descent was fast; the snow in the gully was softer, good for
plunging steps in the steep part. In no time, we stood by our extra
gear at the bottom. We picked our way across the meadows
contouring towards the lower slopes of Caldron Peak. Very enjoyable
outing despite the slight haste! |
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Near the canyon, the
bridge comes into view. |
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Going up the moraine on a good trail. |
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Mistaya peeks above the headwall. |
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Above the headwall looking at Mount Patterson. |
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Caldron Lake sits still on this blue-bird day. |
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Crossing Caldron Lake's outlet on the naturally tilted strata. |
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Heading to the snow gully. |
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Good hiking on the firm suncups. |
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The top of the gully is in sight. |
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Depleted snow coverage reveals ice and debris. |
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We pulled-out our alpine axe at the bluffs. |
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The summit ridge ahead. |
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Mount Baker with Trapper Peak in the foreground. |
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Peyto Peak and the Wapta Icefield. |
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Mount Patterson behind Fab building up the cairn. |
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Caldron Peak and several tarns. |
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Mount Mummery in the Blaeberry, BC. |
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Caldron Lake. |
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Another summit picture before leaving. |
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Descending the broad ridge. |
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Retracing our way down the snow slope. |
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We contoured towards Caldron Peak's base. |
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Continue
on to Caldron Peak |
| Back
to home page |
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