Grizzly Ridge II
October 25, 2020
Mountain height: 2767 m
Elevation gain:
560 m
Round-trip time:
5:40
Snowshoeing with Mark.
Although October 25 is not the earliest I
have had to take my snowshoes out (check out Haig Ridge IV on October 7, 2018),
this may be the earliest that Mark and I have felt as though full-on winter had
arrived and was here to stay. October 2020 did a great job of impersonating the
snowy, dreary, windy, and downright brutal winter weather that is more common
to mid-November and December in the Canadian Rockies. Following a three week
stretch of just plain nastiness, the 25th day of the month offered
the first decent weather day and so Mark and I jumped in the car and headed
west.
As usual, we had no idea what we’d be attempting
as we drove in, but eventually settled on something in the Highwood Pass area –
the motivating factors: guaranteed superb scenery and minimal elevation gain. Upon
arriving, we settled on Grizzly Ridge, the minor summit east of Mount Tyrwhitt.
The first part of the ascent was super easy,
following a well-packed snow trail into Pocaterra Cirque. We then set our sights on
the Grizzly/Tyrwhitt col. While this section also started off with ease,
instead of making our way directly to the col, we opted to follow a set of ski
tracks, gaining elevation on the northwest side of Grizzly. Although this route
was never spine-tinkling, it did steepen to a grade where crampons and an ice
axe seemed more sensible than snowshoes. Nevertheless, the skiers who preceded
us had carved out a solid boot-pack trail that took our snowshoes quite well.
Their track ended just shy of the ridge, under a rock band guarding access to
the ridge. Fortunately, we were able to squirm our way up through a weakness
and onto the wide ridge. The first highpoint, sporting a terrific view, was reached
shortly after.
Like the steep climb to the ridge, getting to
the true summit was not without its challenges. The new snow had already formed
into reactive slabs on the lee side of the ridge and though unlikely to render catastrophic
results, starting an avalanche was a concern. As such, we slowly made our way
across the sometimes narrow ridge, avoiding the lee side as much as possible.
The summit panorama was expectedly magnificent, featuring all the giants of the
Highwood area and at least 20 skiers on Pocaterra Ridge.
We had toyed with the idea of making a loop
route via Highwood Ridge but the traverse from Grizzly to Highwood looked
sketchy at best with all the new snow – no thanks!
Not wanting to descend the steep route we
used on ascent, on return we simply went down to the Grizzly/Tyrwhitt col and
then straight down to the valley below. Of course, the remainder of the descent
was easy and very scenic.
An excellent day out! Also, an early welcome to the winter
of 2020 – as I recently read somewhere on Facebook, “If you don’t find joy in the snow, you
will have less joy in your life, but the same amount of snow.”
Easy snowshoeing on a well-worn track and waiting for the Sun's rays to reach the Pocaterra Cirque valley
Welcome back to the cool features of winter in the Rockies
Going the wrong way. That track led to Pocaterra Ridge.
Going the right way. Grizzly Ridge at the left and Mount Tyrwhitt at the right.
The Sun shines on Mount Pocaterra and Pocaterra Ridge (right)
The imposing form of Mount Tyrwhitt ahead
Pocaterra Ridge is already tracked out with ski turns
Still in the shadow of the surrounding mountains. We wouldn't see the Sun until reaching the ridge of Grizzly.
Impressive Elpoca Mountain. Took us two attempts on consecutive days to reach the summit.
Pocaterra Ridge and Elpoca
Mark makes his way up the steep slopes to the ridge
The usual route goes to the col in the centre
A few pinnacles and Tyrwhitt
The last section is quite steep
Hanging out in a small snow alcove, while Mark finishes the steep section
Searching for a weakness to get through the rock band
It required some intense snowshoe-kickstepping!
Onto the wide ridge
Mark pops up onto the ridge
At the first highpoint
Mark's view of me at the first highpoint
Mark comes up to the highpoint, with impressive Mount Pocaterra behind
Looking south. The big peak just right of centre is Mount Storelk.
Looking to the ridge ahead
Mount Tyrwhitt (right) brings back some chilling memories: one of our first
attempts (and failures) at a winter scramble and getting pinned near
the summit by an electrical storm. My second and third ascents were less chilling!
Mark at the first highpoint, while I start the traverse
Same as above
Mark's view of me
Very reactive slabs have already formed on the lee side of the ridge
A good sign for us to stay off the lee side!
Approaching the one colorful chunk of rock along the ridge. I'm sure there were more, but they were all snow covered.
Between the slightly tenuous sections of narrow ridge there were easy sections of wide ridge
The colourful rock band
More easy travel
Storm Mountain, across the valley
Definitely didn't want to travel on the right side of the ridge here
Mark finds a route on the left side
Summit in sight
Mark leads the way to the top
Final few steps for me
Looking over to the traverse to Highwood Ridge
Snowy summit stay
Mark heads over to a nearby point on the ridge for a photo op
Almost there
The photo op, with big Mount Rae
I stayed at the summit
Home time
That colourful rock band again
Back to the reactive slabs
Easy travel down the Grizzly/Tyrwhitt col
Going down the south side of the col would be fun
Good views of mounts Tyrwhitt and Pocaterra along the way
And also of Mount Pocaterra and Pocaterra Ridge
\
And all three!
Close-up of Mount Pocaterra
Elpoca again
Close-up of Tyrwhitt. The famous arch is just out of visual range.
Steep, but straightforward descent from the col
One of two skiers making their way up the route we ascended
The other skier at the far right
Down to a warmer and more hospitable environment
Nice to be able to take off the thick winter gloves
Easy and super scenic from here on in
Mount Rae again
Back in the shadow of Mount Tyrwhitt
Looking up the northwest side of Grizzly Ridge
\
And back into the Sun
The junction looks much better with the Sun's rays
Storm Mountain provides a good backdrop for the final few hundred metres of the trip
An outlier of Mount Rae
Mount Rae
Last look at the very intimidating but beautiful form of Storm Mountain
The End
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