Scrambling and snowshoeing with Mark.

I think that this will be our last attempt at a "moderate" rated scramble during the winter - at least for this season anyway! We have failed to make the summits of each of the last three - Shark, Nestor, and Narao - although having said that, all three were among the most scenic and visually stunning of all our trips and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

It is not so much the technical elements that make moderate scrambles difficult to complete in the winter, as it is the shortness of the day, and the added time and energy required to ascend snowy terrain. For example, it took us over 3 grueling hours just to make it to the ridge on Narao, and it was much the same story on Mount Shark. Even with snowshoes on the snow-packed trail, the ascent from the Lake O'Hara road to the treeline was long and laborious. In summer, it seems that this ascent takes about 30-40 minutes..... in the winter conditions, it took us over an hour and a half.

Once above the treeline, we were able to ditch our snowshoes and head up to the ridge on foot. The fresh snow over loose rubble again made for a slow, cautious ascent. The weather and views were great throughout, but upon attaining the ridge, we were greeted by a spectacular view of Mounts Niblock and Whyte and Popes Peak. This fantastic view more than made the trip worthwhile, even if we couldn't make the summit (of course, the view to the west and northwest - craggy Cathedral Mountain, Carnarvon, Burgess, Field Wapta, The Presidents, McArthur, Isolated Peak, Balfour, pointed Mount des Poilus, the glaciated Wapta Icefield, Ogden, Paget Peak, Niles, Daly, Bosworth, and Hector - wasn't too shabby either!).

We continued up the snowy ridge until we came to a small plateau below significant rockband. Unfortunately, this step proved to be a little too much in the snowy conditions and after repeated tries in several different areas, we gave up and returned to the plateau. We did eventually find the correct route up a gully, however, it was filled with a vertical wall of icy snow. Mark spent a few minutes trying to hack away some of the snow, but our turn around time had passed and since we anticipated a slow descent, retreat was the prudent decision.

I know I harp on this point often, but there is nothing that can come close to competing with winter scenery in the mountains - especially at around 9,000 feet and above. Even 200 vertical metres below the summit, I'd have to rate this as one of the Rockies most outstanding panoramas. Words simply can't to it justice, so I won't even bother!

The descent was actually easier than expected, and we made it back to the car well before the sun set. Another failed summit, but overall a resoundingly successful and satisfying day!    

    
Just getting out of the trees; beautiful Cathedral Mountain is behind me

    
Interesting rock pinnacles on the ridge

    
Ascending snowy terrain on the ridge; the summit is the point at the far left of the picture

    
Further up the ridge

    
At the first rockband; we didn't get much further than this point; there were quite a few very shapely cornices like this one along the way; a couple steps forward if I feel like taking the express route down! 

    
More great snow and cornice scenery

    
The fantastic view to the northwest; Mount Niles is the distinctive  peak just right of center

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