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Mount Engadine
Kananaskis, Alberta
July 6, 2003
Distance: 9.6 km (6.0 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1248 m (4094 ft)
With it's ups and downs and turnarounds, we were pressed to be patient while ascending the west ridge of Mount Engadine. It's not a straightforward ridge to follow. Several times we were forced to lose elevation because of obstacles and then seek a way to regain the ridge. The route starts on Buller Pass trail, but follows it only briefly.
For Dale, Dinah and I, much of the ascent on Mount Engadine was an enjoyable but difficult scramble. But we were surprised but by the extensive routefinding on the ridge. We often backtracked to get around cliff bands and overhangs. After summiting, we descended the west-facing gully as recommended in the guidebook, but we ran into a narrow waterfall drop-off. The next gully east was also too steep to downclimb, we ended up descending the second gully over. That wasn't easy either. Next time, I would try a gully farther west or simply return the same way.
It becomes interesting once above the treeline
Working our way along ledges
We stayed below the ridge crest for some time
More side-sloping
On the ridge. On the descent we went down this gully.
We didn't stay on the ridge for long
We found we could stay below the ridge most of the time
Looking back at one of the overhangs that must be bypassed
Some good scrambling can be found along the ridge
We found ourselves well below the ridge crest
Once again we looked for a place to gain the ridge
Straddling the crest
Coming up to a downclimb. Summit is in view.
Downclimbing steep rock
Back up to the ridge crest
Steep climb before the summit
Looking back along the ridge. The final stretch to the summit was a scree slog.
Last steps to the top
Dale waits for us at the summit cairn
Starting down from the summit
Coming down our descent gully
Coming down the gully
Routefinding wasn't easy on our descent
Dinah appears exhausted when we reached the treeline
82 J/14 Spray Lake
