Mount Galatea II

Mount Galatea II – July 25, 2007

Mountain height: 3185 m
Elevation gain:     1280 m
Ascent time:         3:50
Descent time:       2:45

Scrambling with Raff.

Raff, the “after work” specialist strikes again! Taking several pages from the Sonny Bou book of “unalpine start times” (i.e. anywhere from 2-6 pm), Raff has recently completed an impressive number of weekday scrambles after getting off work. I was a little surprised when he suggested Galatea. Though not a long trip, it’s not exactly a short one either.

Luckily, Raff was able to finish work early and after a brief stop in Canmore for a delicious raspberry mocha frappa…something…or….another (whatever happened to a plain cup of coffee?), we left the Chester Lake parking lot at 2:40 pm. Raff had suggested we bike to Chester Lake and though I was cursing and swearing as I pushed my bike up too many sections of the trail, the decision would obviously pay off later.

The hike past Chester Lake, Elephant Rocks and into Three Lakes Valley was very scenic and relaxing. As well, the ascent of Galatea was much easier than expected and the route we took didn’t involve any difficult scrambling (not that I’m complaining at all). As expected the summit view was incredible, the terrific north face of The Fortress providing one of many highlights. Raff had just bought a new camera and so we spent an hour and a quarter at the summit taking photos and enjoying the fantastic weather.

We finally managed to peel ourselves away from the summit at 7:45 pm and made a slow, but steady descent. Hiking out as the sun set was also a peaceful and serene experience, in sharp contrast to the mad and frantic dash Mark and I made from Mount Birdwood, fours days earlier. The bike ride back to the parking lot was sheer exhilaration, even in near pitch black conditions. At 10:30 pm we completed a most outstanding and surprisingly relaxing trip. Great choice, Raff!