If this section is anything like the previous one (from
Luxor Pass to Diana Lake, completed on July 9), there will
be lengthy high alpine portions interspersed with either
serious scrambling on aretes or long side-hills on
scalloped slopes. There will be areas free of snow, but
others where a substantial snowpack remains; there may
also be some ‘interesting’ bushwhacking on the descent to
Luxor Pass. In any case, the scenery will be gorgeous and
the views magnificent.
The current spate of damp weather looks to begin to abate
by Friday, July 15; we will need two vehicles, both capable
of handling rough roads, but only one (probably my old
truck) with 4WD.
I suspect the traverse will take 4-5 days -- probably the
latter since a goodly portion of the first day will be
consumed by placing vehicles in the correct pick-up and
drop-off spots.
Camping will be on the ridge itself or perhaps a few
hundred feet down on the SW, perhaps near local tarns.
There will also be the possibility of ascents of numerous
minor, unnamed peaks, as well, perhaps, of Mts.
Kindersley and Crook.
Here’s a tentative plan, should you wish to examine the
route on your topos:
Day 1: Drive in tandem to Radium, then N to the Spur-
Kindersley road; drive to Pinnacle Creek and then northish
for 14 km to the Luxor Pass road; 4WD then for about 5
km to about 5200’, where the truck will be abandoned.
Trot back down to the Pinnacle Creek road, then reverse
the driving, and head back to the staging/parking area for
the Kindersley Pass trail (see p. 224 in The Canadian
Rockies Trail Guide (rev ed.) and hike #75 (p. 180) in 95
Hikes in the Canadian Rockies.
We will hike up to Sinclair Meadows (about 4 hrs), where
we will camp the first night, with the possibility of an
ascent of GR 712-176 – 8850’ (on 82 J/12) before supper.
Day 2: traverse around GR 712-176 on the SW and follow
the ridge over minor lumps and bumps for 2 km to the
foot of GR 699-203 – 8450’ (on 82 K/9), which again we
may either ascend or circumvent. Hopefully we can place
our second camp in a place that will permit us to ascend
Mt. Kindersley (8850’) either on day 2 or the start of day
3.
Day 3: the traverse around Kindersley will be long and
complex and will, I suspect, take much of the day. Once
around this massif and having regained the crest of the
ridge, we will cotninue a further 3 km and camp at the col
at GR 690-234.
Day 4: Up and over unnamed 8450’ (GR 690-237); then a
second strenuous unnamed summit (8650’) at GR 687-
247. This is followed by what appears to be easier rolling
hills for a further 3.5 km. We will attempt to find decent
camping in the col just SE of Mt. Crook (8550’).
Day 5: After climbing up and over Crook, there will be
three more unnamed summits to ascend, with an
accumulated elevation gain of nearly 2000’. Hopefully
descent from the last and highest of these summits (GR
645-805; 8650’) will be possible down the snow couloir
to the NW, leaving only 0.5 of light bushwhacking to reach
Luxor Pass (about 7.5 km from camp for Day 4); then 2.5
km down trail and old logging road to the truck. Drive
home.
Certainly if conditions permit, we will travel further than I
have estimated for each day, although I have tried to make
each day 8-10 hrs in length.
Required Items to Bring:
Overnight gear; one-person tent; ice axe; helmet
Recommended Items to Bring:
Warm clothes; dry clothes; rain gear
How to Get There:
Event Directions:
We will arrange a carpool and meeting place according to the
requirements of participants
Notes:
This is a trip for those who enjoy high country backpacking
and scrambling, relish camping in rough terrain, and want to
get away from the all-too-popular climbs in the Rockies and
try something a bit more remote and exotic.
Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review our participant responsibility guidelines!
Please let me know ASAP if you cannot make this trip so I
can rearrange food groups and travel options
*Cancellation Policy*: If a participant is unable to attend a paid course or trip, there will be no refund unless the participant finds a suitable replacement that is acceptable to the trip coordinator. Acceptable waiting list candidates will have priority. It will then be the participant's responsibility to recover funds from the replacement. If the coordinator cancels an event, participants get a refund (less any non-recoverable costs). Note that ACC National does not refund hut fees due to weather, delay, closures, or any other reasons. The Calgary Section of the ACC is a not for profit club and we only charge attendees what it costs us to provide courses or trips.
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Registration for this event closed on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 12:00 PM.