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Richardson, Mount

Home » Mountains » Banff National Park
Published by vdewit on April 29th, 2009
Trip Details
Trip Activity: 
Scramble
Attained Summit?: 
Yes
Location: 
Banff National Park
Trip Date: 
September 5, 2005
Summit Elevation: 
3,086m
Summit Elevation (ft): 
10,125ft
Related Content
Interesting Facts: 
(info from peakfinder.com) Named by James Hector in 1859. Richardson, Sir John (John Richardson was Surgeon and naturalist on Franklin's Arctic expeditions of 1819 and 1825.) Official name. First ascended in 1911 by L.L. Delafield, guided by Edward Feuz jr.. Journal reference CAJ 4-142.    
Related Trips: 
Ptarmigan Peak

Trip Report

Jon, Rod and I scrambled Mount Richardson under a cloudy, snowy sky on September 5. The weather didn't look very promising at first and for most of our ascent we had no idea where the actual summit was! The day had started out great however, when we got a ride up the 4km Louise fireroad so we were in excellent spirits.

Even though we couldn't see the route most of the time it was pretty obvious from cairns and a faint trail. The upper mountain was covered in cloud and it even started snowing on us at one point but we made it up. There was quite a bit of snow at the top but the views were still incredible.

After the obligatory summit photos we continued on to the descent to the Richardson / Pika col. One quick glance down to the col had us convinced that this would not be the day to attempt it. The clouds would move in quickly and when the clouds were around us we would have no idea where the snow slope was or where we were. Since none of us had axes along (or crampons for that matter) we probably wouldn't have done the traverse even in clear weather.

I would highly recommend this peak. Not an especially difficult scramble but great views at the top and a chance to bag the highest scramble in the Skoki area.

Excellent views on the way up to Hidden Lake from the campground. (Jon pic)
Excellent views on the way up to Hidden Lake from the campground. (Jon pic)
Jon at Hidden Lake.
Jon at Hidden Lake.
Rod coming up lower Richardson slopes.
Rod coming up lower Richardson slopes.
A view of the remaining trudge up Richardson. It is a long way from here yet!
A view of the remaining trudge up Richardson. It is a long way from here yet!
Vern takes in the views on the way up. (Jon pic)
Vern takes in the views on the way up. (Jon pic)
The clouds lift for a view off the summit of Richardson with Hidden Lake far below.
The clouds lift for a view off the summit of Richardson with Hidden Lake far below.
Vern and Rod are almost hidden in the clouds at the summit. (Jon pic)
Vern and Rod are almost hidden in the clouds at the summit. (Jon pic)
Mount Redoubt from the summit of Mount Richardson.
Mount Redoubt from the summit of Mount Richardson.
The Wall of Jericho from the summit of Richardson (Jon pic)
The Wall of Jericho from the summit of Richardson (Jon pic)
A snow drift on the summit ridge.
A snow drift on the summit ridge.
Rod walks back along the summit ridge of Richardson.
Rod walks back along the summit ridge of Richardson.
Our second peak of the day (Ptarmigan) from the descent slopes of Richardson.
Our second peak of the day (Ptarmigan) from the descent slopes of Richardson.