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The Fist
Kananaskis, Alberta
July 31, 2004

Distance: 14.0 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 770 m

Dinah and I attempted The Fist the previous year, but a sudden 45-minute rainstorm left us completely soaked, and the rocks so slippery we had to abort. This time we had good weather and topped the summit without incident.

Starting on the Mount Shark access road, we hiked up the road before turning onto the trail running alongside Commonwealth Creek. 5 km from the trailhead, we left the trail and started up a bushy drainage. We topped out on the Smuts-Fist col. From there, the route soon became a hands-on climb. We scrambled up the narrow gully to the skyline notch, and mindful of the exposure here, we turned left and made our way to the summit.

The Fist is an enjoyable scramble. The exposure is easy to take as it's not in your face. Downclimbing the gully was the most challenging section.

MOVIE
KML and GPX Tracks


The Fist seen from Spray Lakes Road


Pleasant hiking along Commonwealth Creek before leaving the trail


Starting up the drainage. The Fist is above.


Looking down the drainage


Stopping to admire the wildflowers


On the col with Mount Smuts behind


From the col, the gully appears above me


Getting closer to the gully. The tunnel on the left is easily reached.


Time to put on our helmets


Behind is Commonwealth Peak


Entering the gully


Climbing up


Here the gully is straight and narrow


Near the end of the gully


Topping out of the gully


Dinah reaches the skyline notch


Scrambling below the summit


On the summit


Coming down the crux


We were careful here as a fall would likely be fatal. Tryst Lake below.


Heading back to the notch (immediately left of Dinah)


Dinah appears unconcerned despite the drop below her in the gully


My turn to come down


It's a tight squeeze in spots in the gully


On the way back we checked out the tunnel (mouse over to view out the back)


Heading back, the downclimb below the col is easier than it looks


Indian paintbrush on the col


82 J/14 Spray Lakes

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