Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Red Peak & Buller Passes Loop August 28, 2019

WARNING:  Requires a significant time commitment to read!

Today's hike including the trek up to North Buller Pass, then up to Red Peak then up to the Unnamed Ridge then up to South Buller Pass with lots of downs in between, had been in the making for a few weeks.  It would only happen when it was supposed to happen and today was go do it day.  Little did we know how extensively our stars would align and what we would be in for.  We share this same passion in life being "out & about", embracing every single second and savouring when each sense is significantly satisfied.  We experienced it all today!  
It was quiet along the Smith Dorrien up from Canmore.  I had my camera in my lap ready for action in case there was some action.  It was quiet traffic-wise and wildlife-wise it was non-existent.  Until as we were nearing the trail head parking lot my friend stated he had not seen a bear this year.  I sensed he was envious of my Bearmageddon a few weeks back.  As we turned into the parking lot, there was a sense of satisfaction right before our eyes, a big shiny healthy black bear. He eyed us and then went about his business eating everything in sight.   We parked the car and began to gear up all the while keeping our eyes on it.  He was going no where and we were ready to get going somewhere.  He was too close to the roadway that leads to the trail head so we veered off up slope on the opposite side with our bear spray in hand and a couple of times we let him know we were still there.  Along came Ms Warden in her truck and wondered what we were doing up on the slope.  My friend yelled down to her why we were doing what we were doing.  She then went about her business of keeping her eye on the bear.  We then came down slope to cross the 742 and went about our merry way up the trail.
our next wildlife sighting within a matter of a few minutes
We talked lots along the forested trail for approximately 4.5 kms until we reached the junction.  Then it was time to veer off along the trail that would lead us towards North Buller Pass.   It was a gradual ascent at first.  We followed the cairns through the rubble.  
The valley bottom trail was pretty and nice to hike along but then things got rough and rugged and steep and sloggish as we neared The Pass.  I was happy to get to North Buller Pass.  This is my destination shot.
Time to celebrate success in reaching our first destination.  
That's Mount Kidd at the far back right.  
We settled in a spot off to the side out of the wind and cold.  
We had the first of four lunches here.  
My friend captured this photo and shared it with me.  
I love how it shows a sea of mountains behind me.
Red Peak was our next destination and would be our summit spot.  We descended somewhat then began the ascent.  The ascent was gentle along some short sections of shale with patches of spongy grassy areas in between.  It was quite pleasant and the scenery was becoming spectacular.  We needed to skirt around this cornice but before doing so, we took a little time and safely played on it.
On the back side of the cornice we could now see Red Peak.  
It's that high red point on the left.  
It still looked awhile away but as it turned out, it just looked that way.  
To our left the Spray Lake began to appear.  
We could also now see Mount Assiniboine.
These cairns book-ending Mount Bogart are telling us we need to pass through and veer left.
pushing on with the final last shale section to the summit of Red Peak
my friend heading towards that reddish bump thing in the middle
We reached the summit!  It was amazing to experience the 360 degree view.  It took my breath away, I was speechless, I needed a few moments to gather myself that I was seeing what I was seeing, then I wanted a few more minutes to fully "remember to breathe".
While I was doing all that, my friend scooted off to get some panoramic pictures.
I wanted to be over where he was so then I took my turn.  
From the summit we could see the Sparrowhawk Tarns down below through this opening.
he was over there, then I was over there, then we were both over there together
to the left is Mount Bogart then we are between the two Mount Kidd Summits
my Red Peak summit shot
high & happy on Red Peak
This is my friend's summit shot.  
You can see the long stretch of the Spray Lake below and behind him.  
I signed the summit register which was in a girly looking canister.  
It took some time to take care of all the summit business.  Next on the agenda was to settle down to dine on our second lunch.  This was our view.  My friend pulled out his map and we were picking out all the peaks in the neighbourhood. He also picked out all the ones he summited in the past.  After an hour on the summit of Red Peak it was time to carry on down and then up to our next destination.
As we were leaving the summit my friend wanted to have a look out over the edge here.  
He handed me his camera and he went.  
This photo and the next one puts things all into perspective.

That ridge at the left is our next destination, we called it Noname Ridge.  To reach it we descended a good amount, crossed to the other side of the canyon and then began the ascent.  It was a treat to hike on as it was grassy and spongy and covered in colorful ground cover.  
view as we ascended the Noname Ridge
ground cover on Noname Ridge
looking back at Red Peak in the middle
Here I am on Noname Ridge in front of Red Peak
looking across at Mount Kidd and Mount Kidd Outlier (reddish part on the right)
looking down at Ribbon Lake in the middle and a beautiful meadow on the bottom left
mt friend's Noname Ridge destination shot
I wanted the same kind of photo as him.
We took our third lunch break on the high point of The Ridge.  From here we watched the helicopter come in and land in an open grassy area which was just a hop skip and a jump from the Warden's Cabin down in the Ribbon Valley.  We watched the person squatted off to the side wait for the helicopter to land and then bring stuff over, load it in and then hop on in.  How perfect was the timing to witness this.
We still had lots of work ahead of us so packed up and began the descent off Noname Ridge.   These guys spotted us and continued to come our way.  They were on a mission so we moved out of their way and let them carry on by.  We made an assumption these were three teenage brothers. 
I needed my boiled egg paired with a peanut butter smothered slab of turkey bacon to get me up to South Buller Pass.  We did it but not without lots of not the most pleasant words from me.  I was so thankful to be up here because that meant there was no more ascending, it was all down hill from here on in.  We captured another destination shot.  (note: there was a smudge on the camera lens as can be seen on my face, it was probably peanut butter.) We settled down behind a big rock to take in the views and to have one more lunch, our fourth lunch of the day.
Our fourth lunch time view consisted of from left to right, Mount Kidd North Summit, Mount Kidd South Summit, Mount Kidd Outlier and Guinns Pass.  As I mentioned before, Guinns Pass and Mount Kidd Outlier was where we hiked to for a Canada Day Celebration.
looking at Noname Ridge that dark topped ridge right in the middle
It was a sweet ridge to hike along.
After completing the steep rocky descent off South Buller Pass, we then once again began to enjoy the more user-friendly trail and the scenery.  I spotted movement to our right.  There were two mountain goats, a Mom and Baby making their way up slope.  We watched them for quite some time.  It was a treasured gift to see them.
We watched them head to a ledge and then settled down, maybe for the night.
looking back up at South Buller Pass 
It was now time to just get this all over with.  
We reached the junction which meant we only had 4.5kms left.  
I enjoyed one last view of Buller Creek
What a relief to cross that bridge and be back out on the Smith Dorrien.  
We monitored the surroundings to make sure the coast was clear and we continued to do that while gearing down in the parking lot.  We saw enough wildlife for one day.  No more surprises please, I have no adrenaline left if action is quickly needed.  It was heavenly getting my boots and socks off and even more heavenly to finally sit down on the car seat.  Sigh!  Sigh!  Sigh!

After four lunches and a summit celebration and a ridge celebration and two destination celebrations, we still had capacity for more food and more celebration.  Sitting at Woody's toasting with a beer in our hands to today's accomplishment was a great last celebration for the day.  I devoured the ribs and mashed potatoes.  I felt full, I felt pleasant depleted and I now just wanted to be home in my bed! That came just short of two hours later.  Today far exceeded my expectations and I feel truly grateful for all we experienced.  

Thank you for this day!  









Monday, August 26, 2019

Mount St Piran August 26, 2019

Everything I needed for a hike up to Mount St Piran was sitting at my front door ready for a quick exit from home this morning.  I arrived at the Lake Louise Parking Lot at 7:40am only to be directed to the Upper Lot already but thankfully there were a few spots still available a way off at the far end. "Geesh" I said and then I told myself "Girl you start your gps track running from here and you'll get to add on an additional klick each way. " How true that was!  

It was very pretty here this morning.  It was cold yet it was still which afforded a wonderful reflection shot.  Also notice, the sun is shining right on the summit of Mount St Piran in the upper left corner.  That's my goal, reach that sunny summit!
 Pink means summer!
 Healthy hippies on a stick mean summer!
 This red means _______!
I'm not saying the word!
 rounding away from the boulders onto the next switchback
 I love this view but it's that fluffy puffy white round cloud that grabbed my attention!
I passed two couples who were already on their way down just before I reached the summit.  
So, here I am owning the summit of Mount St Piran.  
 The views from up here always leave me in awe!  
 framing Mount Niblock
It was very cold and windy too, so I settled down in the shelter for my fuel break and a rest.   The shelter gets larger each year.  It has become an apartment style shelter.  I choose the newer constructed side as here I could feel the sun shine on me.
 view over to the adjoining shelter with Fairview and Temple behind it on the left
 peeking up over the wall behind me out towards the Icefield Parkway
 peeking through to Mount Niblock
I spent about 45 minutes on the summit and then relinquished my outright ownership to a couple honeymooning from Colorado.  They were impressed with the scenery and that made me proud to call this playground my home.   I scampered down through the rocky section then reached the switchbacks and made a quick trip of those.   Now off the summit, it warmed up quite a bit which meant time to delayer and snap this last shot.  It was not too bad from Lake Agnes down to Lake Louise, there were lots of people but not as many as I have experienced in the past.
I sat on a bench right at Lake Louise, kicked back, finished my lunch and people watched.  
Today I felt like I could sit there all day but life goes on and I needed to get on with life.