Loder Peak and Door Jamb Mountain, Grotto Canyon - April 22, 2003
- Mountain height: 2,097 m (6,878 feet)
- Elevation gain: 925 m
- Ascent time: 3:40
- Descent time: 2:15
Scrambling with Stuart.
I guess there is some truth to the axiom "bigger is not always better" after all! For a puny and insignificant summit,
After a lengthy stay at the top, we decided to make a loop by returning via
The false fault along Jura Creek
Stuart at the summit, with Mount Fable in the background
A view to the west; notable peaks include (fom left to right) the four peaks of Mount Lougheed, The Windtower, Rimwall Summit, and The Three Sisters at the far right
Loder Peak II - May 3, 2003
- Mountain height: 2,097 m (6,878 feet)
- Elevation gain: 925 m
- Ascent time: 3:45
- Descent time: 2:30
Scrambling with Mark.
It's hard to believe that this trip and the one above were only 11 days apart. As a result of heavy snowfall over the last week, we were unable to negotiate the canyon and at the beginning of the hike and the false fault shown below. Things got worse as we ascended the we spent the remainder of the ascent in a heavy snowfall and whiteout conditions. At the summit, visibility was down to less than 30 meters and therefore the alternate return route via Door Jamb Mountain would have been a little dicey. We descended the same way we came up and have vowed to return when the snow melts and the sky clears!
Mark at the false fault; (compare this photo to the same scene above)
Making our way towards the summit in a whiteout
At the summit; Thank God for the cairn - the visibility was so low that we might have just walked right off the mountain had it not been there!
Loder Peak III and GR303619 via Doorjamb Mountain
- June 26, 2003
- Mountain height: 2,097 m (6,878 feet)
- Elevation gain: 925 m
- Ascent time: 1:25 to Loder Peak; 25 minutes to GR303619
- Descent time: 2 hours
Scrambling with Mark.
Another after work hike and a much better view than our snowy trip up this past April, where visibility was practically zero. Our goal was to make it to GR303619 and then attempt as much of the traverse towards Goat mountain as possible. Instead of achieving Loder Peak via Jura Creek, we went straight up the ridge of Door Jamb Mountain. The scramble up was easy, fun, and quick, taking as only 1 hour, 25 minutes. As we gained a little altitude, however, we were assaulted by a vicious and constant west wind (only on Mist Mountain last November, had I experienced a more fierce wind). The higher we got, we stronger and more violent the gusts were. The scramble from the top of Loder Peak to the slightly higher summit of GR303619 took us only 25 minutes and again was fun and interesting.
At GR303619, the terrain towards Goat Mountain looked to be a very interesting prospect, although the mountain's true summit was heavily guarded by steep walls. Still, the side trip might have been well worth the effort. Unfortunately, given our time restrictions, dark thunderclouds coming in quickly from the west, and the "gale force?" winds that were almost knocking us off our feet, an attempt would have been foolish and we very quickly retreated back down to the Loder Peak/GR303619 col. Even though the return trip via Jura Creek was longer, we decided to take that route, in order to get out of the wind and to see the Creek"s false fault and canyon. We weren't disappointed by either and made it back to the car just as the sun was setting. Overall, a great trip after work or otherwise. Hopefully next time we will get the opportunity to attempt the traverse.
On ascent up Door Jamb Mountain; Mark is looking at Mount Yamnuska
Mark at the summit of GR303619
Water-worn rock at the false fault, along Jura Creek
HOME
SCRAMBLES
MOUNTAINEERING
OTHER TRIPS
PHOTO GALLERY
LOG
FAVOURITES
LINKS