Summit Elevation (m): 2846
Trip Date: Saturday, July 2, 2005
Round Trip Time (hr): 6
Elevation Gain (m): 1550
Total Trip Distance (km): 18
Quick ‘n Dirty Rating: Class 3 – you fall, you break something
Difficulty Notes: Moderate scrambling with loose terrain and some exposure depending on the route chosen. Only attempt when dry.
Technical Rating: SC6; YDS (3rd)
GPS Track: Gaia
Map: Google Maps
On Canada’s birthday I decided to celebrate by doing a scramble. Originally I had planned Isabelle Peak with Dave Stephens but when that fell through I decided to salvage the day with an easier but just as long outing. I have to say that this is a very unexciting scramble.
A large portion of your time is spent in the trees and when you finally do reach tree line you still have over 600 meters of elevation gain to go! I’m surprised more tourists don’t slip down the slab section and do involuntary BASE jumps down the side but I guess most people must manage it.
Speaking of tourists, I met quite a few people on Rundle compared to most of my scrambles but it did make for some interesting conversation. I spent most of the way up with a fellow named ‘Jeff’ from Calgary. Around the tree line he started to fall behind and since I had company coming into town and needed to go quickly to get back to Calgary we parted ways and I summitted and came down on my own.
When I was at the top of the mountain the clouds were thick and dark. I don’t like the threat of rain / lightening when I’m on a mountain – I’ve heard too many horror stories of axes buzzing and people getting shocks so I didn’t stay up there any longer than I had to.
