Snow-topped Mount Crandell seen from the road.
Mount
Crandell This was an ugly trip. Recent heavy precipitation produced several problems. First, several inches of fresh snow at higher elevations forced us to use the easiest route rather than attempt the exposed scrambling routes. This meant ascending and descending the route normally used for the descent. Within minutes of starting we had to cross a creek, but were stymied by high water levels. We spent an hour searching for a place where we could use rocks and logs to cross. Eventually we made it up the drainage to the promontory. The usual route from here called for staying below the ridge and angling to the end of the basin, but the fresh snow made the grassy slopes too slippery to negotiate so we headed to the ridge crest. Although it took us farther away from the summit, travel was much easier. At first we enjoyed the bare rock on the ridge but as we approached the summit, it became treed and snow-covered. Soon we were post-holing knee-deep in snow. Moving at the speed of a turtle we ascended the final 250 vertical metres in snow four feet deep. For the most part we sank to our knees but often we found ourselves waist deep in snow. The return trip was not much quicker. Retracing our steps in the snow, we merely sank deeper. When we reached the end of the basin we decided not to climb back up on the ridge. Following the book's description, we angled along the slopes but it was slow going because it was slippery. Eventually we made it down to the drainage. Since we didn't care about getting our boots wet -- they were now soaked from post-holing -- we forded the creek where the water wasn't flowing too briskly. Aside from bagging the peak, there was little satisfaction in making this ascent. We'll return some day when it's dry and ascend via Bear's Hump or Tick Ridge! |
Snow-topped Mount Crandell seen from the road.
Prickly Rose, floral emblem of Alberta.
After heading up the creek we pass a side drainage. We start climbing left
of the
waterfall to get to the promontory.
Heading up from the promontory (light gray bump on the bottom right).
The slopes are slippery with snow so we get on the ridge. In the background,
the summit is under snow.
The view from the ridge is better than partway down the slope.
In some places, we could barely move because of deep snow.
Post-holing through larch trees to the summit.
At the summit cairn.
Panorama from the summit. A relay station obscures the view of the prairies
to the north.
82 H/4 Waterton Lakes
