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Rummel Ridge

Summit Elevation (m): 2459
Elevation Gain (m): 600
Trip Date: Dec 23 2015
Round Trip Time (hr): 3.5
Total Trip Distance (km): 6.5
Quick ‘n Dirty Rating: Class 1/2 – you fall, you sprain something – i.e. your ego
Difficulty Notes: No major difficulties other than possible trail breaking in loose, unconsolidated snow.
Technical Rating: OT1; YDS (Skiing)
GPS Track: Gaia
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After taking some time away from summits after my busiest year yet in the Rockies, I felt it was time to stand on a (named) high point again. I was supposed to work Wednesday, December 23 but decided at the last minute that I didn’t feel like it. The weather was cold enough to dissuade me from anything too aggressive plus I was going to be doing a solo trip so I had to choose something fairly conservative. The “something” ended up being Rummel Ridge via a different route than Nugara’s snowshoeing book.

Rummel Ridge Route Map

This trip is described very well by both Matt and Bob but I still managed to screw up a bit. I didn’t realize Matt had updated his first trip report and didn’t follow the obvious ski / shoe track nearly far enough up the drainage between The Tower and Mount Engadine. This resulted in some extra exercise, which I didn’t mind but be forewarned that you want to go almost up to the valley leading between The Tower and Rummel Ridge before crossing the stream. I was following flagging and old tracks most of the way but the south side of the drainage sucks. Don’t bother with it – even if you don’t have tracks.

There was hardly a breath of wind at the top, but just enough to force me back into the trees after taking in the great views of so many familiar peaks. I stopped for a hot cup of coffee on the way down. Sitting there with only one lonely bird to keep me company, I reflected on how lucky I was to be enjoying such a cold, still and clear day high up in a random drainage of my beloved Rocky Mountains.

Little Galatea, French, Robertson, Sir Douglas, Burstall, Commonwealth, Birdwood, Fist, Smuts, Tent Ridge, Shark, Turner, Fortune, Nestor

There were no distractions and no sounds as I sipped my coffee and munched on a Tim Hortons breakfast sandwich – other than the little bird that didn’t seem to mind my company. When my toes started to chill I reluctantly bid the bird a “Merry Christmas” and continued quickly down the trail back to my truck. 

I avoided the crappy south side of the creek by following the main track back out.

I will be back in this area with my skis – Rummel Ridge could easily be a ski objective which I didn’t realize when I ‘shoed it. There are many options for safe skiing up that drainage, although Tony Daffern does reference a fatality that occurred near here in his excellent book on Avalanche Safety so be aware that not all the slopes surrounding Rummel Ridge are as benign as the ‘shoe track.

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