| Ref: Alan Kane's
Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies |
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Going around
Sherbrooke Lake with Mount Niles in sight. |
| Scramble: RT:
11.5; 5.25 up. Another splendid day out in the mountains. The weather
was perfect, not a cloud all day and minimal wind. Fab and I took our
sweet time, enjoying every minute of this real summer day. The hike in
to Niles Meadow is facilitated by an excellent trail, within 2.5 hours
we reached the beautiful area. The ascent up Mount Niles is pleasant
and
straightforward. After climbing the ascent drainage, we aimed for the
pinnacle; it is possible to avoid the boulder field by going wide,
climber's left. From the impressive pinnacle, we followed a trail up
the upper mountain. The views along the way are breathtaking. We
reached the top with no difficulty and after dropping our packs, we
started to roam, taking numerous pictures. The sun was warm with
little wind; we were able to indulge at the summit. Following a
lengthy 2 hour break, it was time to slowly make our way down. Instead
of retracing our steps around the pinnacle, we went down a loose gully
for a fast descent to the boulder field. We skirted the field, came
down the drainage and reached Niles Meadow in time for another nice
pause. Fab started to take his camera apart to dry it out; dropping a
400$ camera in the water is not recommended! Eventually though, we
started the trek out; we figured if we left at 4 PM, we would be home
for "kibble time". The return was fine, having shade from the trees and
a trail. We will gladly come again someday to revisit Niles Meadow and
possibly ascend Mount Daly! |
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A good trail through
the shrubs. |
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A beautiful
waterfall along the way. |
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Niles Meadow, the
ascent drainage and the pinnacle, all lined up! |
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Heading up the
drainage. |
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Looking back. |
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The sun is shining
on the pinnacle. |
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We ascended
climber's right of the pinnacle. |
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Making our way to
the crest of these bluffs. |
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Mount Carnarvon and
The Presidents across Yoho Valley. |
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As seen from the
crest of the bluffs, we continue on a trail. |
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A closer look. |
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A look down from the
trail which is running along a slab. |
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At the top with
shorts and T-shirt weather, yippee! |
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Mount Balfour and
Daly Glacier. |
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Mont Des Poilus
(left) and Mount Collie (right). |
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No need to take
shelter, just taking in spectacular views. |
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Cathedral Mountain
and The Goodsirs in the background. |
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The opaque lake
feeding Takakkaw Falls. |
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It's time
to head down after a long summit stay. |
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Emerald Lake is
visible (top center). |
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Short-cut down a
loose gully. |
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Fast and
straightforward. |
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Another look at the
pinnacle and the short-cut gully (center). |
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After skirting the
boulder field, we hiked on a small plateau. |
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Back to Niles Meadow. |
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Along the lake,
Mounts Victoria and Huber in the distance. |
| Back
to home page |
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