Mount Crandell II – July 2, 2007    

Mountain height:           2378 m
Elevation gain:              1000 m
Ascent time:                  5:50
Descent time:                2:00

Scrambling with Brad and Mitchell.

Brad and Mitchell are work colleagues of mine and wanted to see what all the “fuss” about scrambling was. As their first scramble, I gave them the choice of Mount Galwey , Mount Crandell , or an experimental route up Mount Anderson . We decided that the Bear’s Hump route up Crandell, though perhaps not a logical choice for a first scramble due to its “difficult” rating, would give us the best scrambling bang for our buck.

After an easy hike to the Hump, it was good to leave the crowds (actually there were only 6 or 7 people, but that’s the definition of a crowd in Canadian Rockies!) and start the real scrambling. As promised, the hands-on scrambling was fun and exhilarating right from the start. Excellent rock and many route-finding challenges rendered this the highlight of the trip. Brad and Mitchell had no problems negotiating the difficult routes we choose to take, even though easier routes were a visible option. 

We were all surprised by the considerable length of the ridge and the amount of difficult scrambling. Again, the solid, grippy rock and general lack of significant exposure ensured the scrambling was more “fun” than “fear” and again, I couldn’t help but be impressed by Mitchell and Brad’s willingness to tackle the tough stuff (I was soberly reminded of my first scramble up Grizzly Peak, where I had to hold onto my brother’s backpack to get across a very short and mildly exposed section near the summit). 

After a well-deserved lunch break at the first false summit, we continued on to the infamous narrow and exposed cockscomb section. On my first trip up Crandell, three years ago, I decided to bypass that part on the left side, as recommended by Alan Kane. It took only a few seconds for us to unanimously decide that we would be using the same route on the left – the Crandell cockscomb is definitely not a wise choice for a first scramble.

We traversed below the cockscomb and then regained the ridge via a steep gully. More very enjoyable ridge walking followed, and then a short slog to the summit. After a close to 6 hour ascent, we were all fairly relieved to be at the top and enjoyed a relaxing summit break.

The alternate and considerable easier descent route worked well for us. Overall, an outstanding scramble and an outstanding day with great company. Hats off to Brad and Mitchell for making easy work of a difficult ascent – good job Boys!

The boys stretch near the beginning

 

Mitchell (left) and Brad (right) at the top of Bear's Hump

 

A permanent and very friendly resident of the Hump 

 

The scrambling begins

 

The boys look down the precipitous west side of Crandell

 

Typical terrain on the Bear's Hump route

 

Taking a break

 

Mitchell tackles a steep rockband

 

More of the enjoyable ridge and ascent route

 

Brad tackles another steep section; of course, he had to climb back down to get his backpack and helmet

 

Brad models a classic snowboarding helmet

 

Mitchell on the ridge; false summit at the right

 

Brad peaks over a particularly interesting section of the ridge

 

Brad and his helmet take a break

 

Another scenic rest point

 

More cool terrain

 

Brad on the upper section of the ridge

 

Mitchell downclimbs a gully 

 

Looking back along the route

 

Same as above, with Brad (and his helmet)

 

The beautiful Waterton Lakes

 

The scree slog to the false summit

 

Lunch break at the first false summit; Mitchell is practicing for "So You Think You Can Dance?"

 

Fun with baby carrots

 

The boys check out the cockscomb

 

The boys take different routes to regain the ridge after the cockscomb

 

Mitchell offers Brad a hand up; right after the photo was taken Mitchell just walked away

 

Brad completes the ascent sans Mitchell's "Good Samaritan" posturing;
a very unusual cloud sits high above

 

The upper section of the ridge

 

Hand-in-hand, the boys celebrate the final few steps to the summit

 

Mitchell and Brad enjoy a well-deserved summit nap;
congratulations on completing your first scramble boys!

LOG