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Nigel Peak
Jasper National Park, Alberta
July 26, 2003
Distance: 9.4 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1200 m
Nigel Peak is great scramble with beautiful alpine views along the way. Caroline, Dinah and I started from the Icefields Campsite. It was convenient since we camped there, although it added distance from the usual start at Wilcox campground. But we encountered no difficulties in following Kane's route.
After starting, Dinah was having trouble, moving slowly. She was dehydrated from yesterday's hike. After she drank some water, and after we took some weight off from her pack, she soon resumed her speed.
We made our way up the first ridge before crossing the northwest bowl to reach the second ridge. We followed the second ridge to the summit. After spending a while on the summit we retraced on steps, except to come down on fast scree below the first ridge.
Nigel Peak seen from Columbia Icefields
Hiking to the base of Nigel Peak
Starting up the slope
Slogging up to the first ridge
We get our first good look at the summit
Ascending the ridge to reach the bowl
We circumvented a buttress on the ridge
Regaining the ridge
Looking back after leaving the ridge
Traversing above the bowl
Crossing the bowl below the summit
On the ridge after crossing the bowl
Colourful mountains to the east
Coming up to the summit
We followed the ridge closely
Still a ways to go!
The final section is steep
Almost at the summit
On the summit
Looking down at Mount Wilcox
Looking down at the ridge we ascended
Colourful view to the east
Looking down at the lakes southeast
Descending from the summit. The snow was too steep to descend so we scrambled down.
Tangle Ridge and Wilcox Lake
Heading back from the ridge above the basin
We looked for and found good scree to descend
Mount Athabasca
The following day we climbed Mount Wilcox
Crossing the meadows back to the campground
83 C/3 Columbia Icefields
