| Ref: Alan Kane's
Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies |
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We followed a nice trail up the south-west drainage. |
| Scramble:
RT 6.0; 3.25 up. More fantastic weather, sunny and calm. It is hard to
skip a weekend outing with such conditions. Because of the long drive,
we decided on Storm's short scramble.
We went up the south-west gully and came down the north-west gully for
an exciting loop. The trail leads to the back of the basin quickly. We
gained the ridge using the protruding rock strata, barely setting foot
on loose rubble and headed for the southern summit. At the false
summit, we descended a little to reach the ramp. It is an exhilarating
position but the ramp is wide. Going up the break to gain the final
section proved to be challenging for me. The length of the moderate
scrambling taxed my psyche! Fab patiently coaxed me up. At the top, we
enjoyed the amazing view and windless conditions. With calmed nerves, I
followed Fab across the west ridge. About midway on the short
connecting ridge, it is possible to drop down on the right (north) side
and traverse below the narrow bit. The descent route requires finding
the best possible way avoiding thin layers of scree on slab. Precarious
scrambling took us back down to the north basin. We followed the
drainage back down to the road. A very fine day with a
rewarding summit. |
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Pleasant hiking heading into the basin. |
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The ascent to the ridge and the false summit are in view. |
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Looking back at the meadow below. |
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The ascent is enjoyable on the rock strata. |
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Storm's true summit from the ridge crest. |
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Heading to the false summit. |
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The ramp on the east side and summit ahead. |
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The eastern valley from the ramp. |
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On the ramp. |
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Looking back at the false summit, Mist Mountain in the background. |
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Challenging section preceding the top. |
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Summit cairn and western view. |
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Mount Rae. |
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Fab midway on the west ridge. |
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A last look at the summit. |
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Heading down the north-west drainage. |
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Finding the better scree run. |
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Descent from the true summit (T) and south summit (right). |
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Heading down the drainage. |
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A short, casual descent to the road. |
| Back to home page |
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