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Junction Mountain North Ridge (attempt)
Kananaskis, Alberta
November 12, 2005

With snow slowly choking the mountains, I thought this ridge lying 3.5 km north of Junction Mountain would be accessible. At 2270 m, it's not very high. After wading across both Sheep River and Junction Creek Dinah and I bushwhacked up a steep, wooded slope. As I expected, we reached a semi-open crest. We timed it right. Although it snowed lightly while we were in the trees, when we reached the ridge, it began to clear and we had good views of snow-covered Mount Burns and Shunga-la-she. We followed the ridge until we reached a grassy knoll that provided us with a view of the peak we wanted to reach.

Still following the ridge, we dropped down and followed a grass corridor before entering a short stretch of forest. We came out on an open slope below a rocky prominence. After the prominence, we headed towards a high point ringed with cliff bands. We couldn't ascend the lowest cliff band directly so we ventured left into the trees. Once in the trees I expected the cliff band to disappear, but it continued on. Although very short, the snow made it difficult to ascend. I was able to get up but it was beyond Dinah's comfort level, so we turned around at this point. Given the snow conditions, the high winds, the cliff bands higher up and the short daylight, it's doubtful if we would have reached the summit anyway.


Topping out after bushwhacking up the slope


Behind us is the rise is where we topped out


Wind-whipped plants created natural art in the snow


Grass knob: Gibraltar Mountain and Mount Burns in the background


We have to drop down to continue


The North Ridge summit is the second point from the right. Junction Mountain is the third. We turned back at the first cliff band on the first point. Mouse over for a close-up of the summit. Note the blowing snow!


Heading to the outcrop


On the slope below the prominence


We turned back after soon after entering the trees


Starting up the slope


Looking back


Junction Lookout


After turning around at the cliff band, we headed back down


I took a couple of minutes to climb the outcrop


A natural break in the trees provides a pleasant walkway


I've crossed the river in the summer when it was only calf deep, but on this trip it was unusually high, above our knees


82 J/10 Mount Rae

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