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Grotto Mountain

Summit Elevation (m): 2706
Trip Date: Monday, November 5, 2001
Round Trip Time (hrs): Unknown
Elevation Gain (m): 1425
Total Trip Distance (km): 12
Quick ‘n Dirty Rating: Class 2/3 – you fall, you break something
Difficulty Notes: Moderate scrambling on the Kane route – at most. Pretty easy in dry conditions.
Technical Rating: SC6; YDS (Hiking)
GPS Track: Download
Map: Google Maps


Grotto Mountain was the mountain that almost didn’t happen! Jeff was very tired for this one but I managed to drag him right to the top. It was very windy and cold up on the ridge and we still had a long ways to go. Jeff waited for me on the ridge while I made a dash for the summit. I would recommend doing this peak in dry conditions as it’s much easier without snow and a bitterly cold wind. People have died on this mountain getting lost on descent, so I also recommend descending the way you came up.

Grotto Mountain Route Map

I very nearly froze to death on this scramble! My fingers where so numb that I couldn’t hold my poles – they only stayed on because of the straps. On the way down the ridge from the summit a gust of wind became a whirlwind that almost tossed me into the gorge on the north side of the mountain! There is a direct route which I might try some day as well.

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