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Mount Sparrowhawk
Kananaskis, Alberta
September 28, 2002
Distance: 11.9 km (7.4 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1350 m (4429 ft)
Mount Sparrowhawk is straightforward ascent with great views. It uses the same approach as Read's Ridge, but leaves the ridge before the treeline. After losing some elevation, the route grinds up the scree below the summit block. The final section climbs the backside of Sparrowhawk. We encountered bad weather on the summit block, but I managed to take a panorama. On the descent we ventured north and came down a gully. Back in 2002, GPS receivers weren't very accurate, so take my track with a grain of salt.
Mount Sparrowhawk seen from Goat Mountain
Hiking up the trail towards Read's Ridge
The summit block (left) and Read's Ridge (right)
After the scree slope ahead, we had trouble climbing
up the steep rock because of ice and snow
Back on a talus slope
Wayne and Dinah are dwarfed by Read's Ridge
Looking back at Read's Ridge
Closing in on the summit block
Looking back at Spray Lakes and Read's Ridge
Final ascent is quite steep
On the summit
Coming down from the summit
Descending in bad weather
Wayne, Lori and Dinah take a break on the descent. The summit block is obscured.
Looking at the north end of Spray Lakes
Descending under dark skies
Crossing rock slabs on the descent
Heading back to our car
82 J/14 Spray Lakes
