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Pasque Mountain (Attempt)
Kananaskis, Alberta
October 28, 2006
When Dinah and I attempted Pasque Mountain, the trip unfolded well until we climbed the north peak. There we were hit by strong winds. We hiked along the ridge, but turned back when we were nearly a kilometre from the south peak, the summit. The wind was increasing, and we were beginning to freeze.
When I had opened my pack, my Gortex over-mitts were sucked away by the wind, so my hands soon became frozen. I was also worried about body cold. I wore two long-sleeve shirts plus three jackets: a fleece, a heavy wind-resistant soft shell and a Gortex jacket. Despite the layers, the cold was still penetrating! Dinah was similarly dressed and becoming cold as well. It wasn't safe to continue so we turned back.
We caught the sunrise en route to the trailhead
Duck on a pond
Probably a snow bunting
Hiking up the cut block with Pasque Mountain ahead
Starting the ascent up the ridge
Likely a flock of bohemian or cedar waxwings
We reached the ridge by following a faint sheep track
After reaching the point on the left, we'll drop down to the col and follow
the road to the ridge on the right.
Heading down to the col
Almost on the ridge. Below is the ridge we came up.
This would be a pleasant hike normally, but the cold wind made it insufferable
We reached the top of the point in the foreground before turning back. The summit is on the left.