Mount Thompson attempt, Mount Jimmy Simpson II – August 2, 2007

Mountain height:           2963 m
Total elevation gain:      approx. 1200 m
Ascent time:                  5:35
Descent time:                2:30

Solo scramble.

Inspired by Eric Courtland’s idea for a scramble route up Mount Thompson, I set out from Bow Lake to see if the route would go. The scenery en route was amazing, under clear blue skies. Unfortunately, up close it seemed that the proposed route was very difficult to get to and might require a fair amount of technical climbing. I tried to find another route up the south side of Portal Peak, but the terrain was steep and exposed and pursing any potential routes as a solo scrambler did not appeal to me at all.

Instead, I decided to try Mount Jimmy Simpson. Mark and I had made the summit of Jimmy Simpson in November of 2004, on a very disappointing day characterized by cloudy skies and a near whiteout at the summit. The ascent was relatively easy, though I was starting to tire from 3 straight days of scrambling. Of course, the summit view made up for all. I’d have to put it in the top 5 summit panoramas I’ve ever seen. A great day out.     

St. Nicholas (just left of centre) and The Onion

An interesting rock 

Portal Peak

Approaching the glacial lake above Bow Falls

The icefall above the lake

The other glacial lake above Bow Falls

Looking down on the lake from the highpoint I reached

Looking south from the ascent slopes of Jimmy Simpson

Mount Baker (left), Trapper Peak, and Peyto Peak

Looking south to the peaks of the Wapta Icefield

Looking north from the summit

Looking west towards Caldron Lake

Mount Balfour

Looking south to Bow Lake

Another southwest view

The north end of Crowfoot Mountain reflected in Bow Lake

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