• July 20, 2002
• Mountain height: 3,121 m (10,237 feet)
• Elevation gain: 1,350 m
• Ascent time: 3:40
• Descent time: 2:20

Scrambling with Mark.

Hard to believe that after 42 trips to the mountains in the past year, this was our first mountain over 10,000 feet! We spent the first hour bushwhacking our way up to Read's Ridge. Read's Tower and the Sparrowhawk summit block were an impressive sight from there. Another hour and we found ourselves on a torturously long scree slope leading to the cliffs of the summit. At the col, before the final ascent, there were magnificent views of Mount Bogart, Ribbon Peak, and the beautiful Memorial Lakes far below.

The scree slope to the summit was a little steeper, but we managed to get to the top without problems. At the summit, the views were stunning. The sky was relatively clear and we could pick out a huge number of familiar peaks, including Temple way off in the distance, and a suddenly very small looking Mount Allan - pinnacles and all! We explored the somewhat exposed and narrow east ledge of the summit - it was basically straight down on the north side and steep and rocky on the south. After an extensive stay and many photos we started the descent. The first part of the descent wasn't too bad, although the term "knee-breaker" does come to mind.  As we were going past the Read's Tower, we detoured a little to check out an opening in the rock that might have made a very difficult, but interesting scramble to the top. We went up it a little, but a rope and harnesses were obviously needed. The remainder of the descent was straightforward (and thankfully much easier on the knees) and we raced back to the car to make our 6 hour goal right on the nose. Overall, a terrific scramble - tough on the knees but great for the eyes - and a very enjoyable day.  

    
Read's Tower on the right and the summit block of Mount Sparrowhawk far away in the center; Mark took this photo on descent, when the lighting was better 

    
Read's Tower as seen from above; Spray Lake is behind

    
Mark below the sumit block, the ascent route goes around the right side; again, this photo was taken on descent

    
A sea of mountains to the southwest, as seen from the right side of the summit block

    
At the summit; Mount Assiniboine is just right of center

    
Exploring the east side of the ridge; Ribbon Peak and the north peak of Mount Kidd are visible at the right