• December 29, 2001
• Mountain height: 2,819 m (9,249 feet)
• Elevation gain: 1,350 m
• Ascent time: 4:45
• Descent time: 2:20
• 22 km round trip

Hiking with Mark.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate a birthday than a 22 km hike with 1,350 meters of elevation gain, in the dead of winter. Mount Allan provides an outstanding hike with some stunning scenery. As we ascended above a thick layer of morning fog, we were treated to some unbelievably beautiful scenes of frost-covered trees, snow, fog, and background mountains. Higher up, an inversion gave us extremely mild temperatures and completely clear skies. The pinnacles before the summit were spectacular, as was shapley Mount Lougheed in the background. If you do this trip in the winter, leave early! We were still at the summit with only a couple of hours of daylight left - needless to say, our descent was a very rapid one! This hike continues to be one of my most memorable and enjoyable.