The ascent ridge is ahead.
Mount Howard Mount Howard is best done during the shoulder season but we wanted a break after driving long distances on the last several trips. Besides, after two failed attempts (June 2006 and November 2007) this is one peak I wanted to bag. Following Nugara's route description, the trip was straightforward. The mind-numbing walk up Canyon Creek makes this trip feel longer than it is, but we reached the summit in 4.5 hours. We didn't take in all the high points along the ridge. We avoided the second last high point (GR417358) before the summit by traversing on an animal track, but we sidesloped below the high point before the summit. For the descent, we followed the suggested route down the rib. This ridge walk offered spectacular views of Mount Bryant and its south cliffs. The ridge peters out onto a wooded slope and because of the canyon on the left, we were forced to bushwhack down to the drainage. According to the summit register, only six parties summited in the last two years. Given the easy ascent, long season and enjoyable ridge walk there's no reason why Mount Howard shouldn't be more popular. |
Movie (2:50)
The ascent ridge is ahead.
Leaving the creekbed below
Gaining the ridge crest
Colorful saddle near the start of the ridge
Interesting rocks on the ridge
More odd rocks on a high point
Mount Howard (left) has some snow.
Using an animal track to cut below a high point
For the descent route, we'll start down the ridge behind us.
Our ridge walk can be traced from the orange scree in the centre.
We sidesloped to the pinnacle before the summit.
Dinah nears the pinnacle
The pinnacle
Mount Remus and Mount Romulus in the foreground
We didn't bother climbing the last high point (left) before the summit.
Dinah sets off for the summit
I kept to the left where the scrambling was more interesting.
More scrambling than we expected
Dinah follows behind me
Heading to the descent ridge. Compression Ridge in front of us.
Looking back at Mount Howard (left)
The descent rib (lower right) leads to the drainage in the centre.
Starting down the rib
Mount Bryant in the centre
Dinah scrambles down beside a tiny window
Looking back at the descent rib
The rib leads to a wooded slope edged by a canyon.
We kept to the right of the canyon and ended up bushwhacking.
Back on Canyon Creek this chipmunk checks us out.
Bragg Creek
