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Panorama Ridge
Lake Louise, Alberta
June 19, 2004

Distance:12.5 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1000 m

It's a slog going up the gully, but Panorama Ridge is worth the climb because of the views. After hiking up Consolation Lakes trail, Dinah and I tried to cross the creek too soon. It's better to continue up a ways where logs and rocks make crossing easier.

After crossing, we headed to the broad ascent gully. The slog up seemed interminable, so we were glad when we reached the ridge. A short ridge walk led to the summit. After summiting we headed to the east peak, but there was too much snow to continue, so we descended the nearest gully. Even so, the loop provided extra scenery in this scenic area.

MOVIE
KML and GPX Tracks


Hiking up the Consolation Lakes trail


View of Panorama Ridge just before reaching Consolation Lakes


Looking for the best place to cross Babel Creek


We had to get our feet wet


Looking up the ascent gully


Looking back


Tower of Babel in the foreground

We made good progress in the firm snow in the gully


Gully narrows ahead


Almost at the narrow section


We've reached the rocks and will soon start climbing


The slope steepens


Squeezing through some boulders


Dinah follows me up the steep slope


Quadra Mountain


On the ridge looking north


Ahead is the summit


The last section to the summit requires scrambling up quartzite rocks


After summiting we continued along the ridge


A huge cornice lines much of the ridge


We made it to the pinnacles where we found it difficult and exposed. Best to do in dry conditions.


Trying to climb higher


We soon gave up and started down


Cute bird, but such skinny legs!


Our descent gully


Looking down Consolation Valley


Partway down


Coming down on avalanche snow


Looking up the gully


Mount Temple fills the background behind the Tower of Babel


One of the Consolation Lakes. We followed a crude shoreline trail back.


82 N/8 Lake Louise

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