• August 25, 2002
• Mountain height: 3,543 m (11,621 feet)
• Elevation gain: 1,690 m
• Ascent time: 5:40
• Descent time: 3:05

Scrambling with Mark and Holland.

Sometimes fast is not always best. We started "the ultimate scranmble" at 8:30 am, with a horde of other people. Although the forecast predicted thundershowers all day, there was nothing but blue sky all the way to Larch Valley. We were moving at a relatively slow rate and being passed by everyone. As we started up, from Sentinel Pass, the clouds started to move in and we spent the remainder of the ascent cursing at the increasing cloud cover. The scrambling was fun and relatively easy, although we detoured a little from the "tourist route" to do some hands-on scrambling.

By the time we made the summit, we were completely enveloped in clouds and could see absolutely nothing! Almost all of the 25 or so other people had summitted and started down, in the dismal conditions. We were the last ones to leave and about 5 minutes into the descent the clouds actually started to clear a little. We rushed back up to the summit, to enjoy some of the fantastic view. On a completely clear day, I'm sure this has to be one of the premier views in all of the Canadian Rockies. When all was said and done, it was, in fact our slow ascent that enabled the three us out of about 28 people, to enjoy the view. An excellent scramble and one that we are sure to repeat.

     
Mount Temple, as seen from the ascent slopes of Eiffel Peak     

    
Eiffel Peak and Pinnacle Mountain, as seen from Larch Valley

    
Some fun scrambling enroute to the summit

    
Holland, me, and Mark at the summit; a very disappointing view

    
A break in the clouds enables us to see Moraine Lake, Mount Babel, The Consolation Lakes (far left), and Mount Fay

    
Holland and Mark, descending a rockband