Livingstone South Peak
April 14, 2017
Mountain
height: 2300 m
Elevation gain: 824 m
Ascent time: 3
hours
Descent
time: 2 hours
Scrambling
with Scott.
For the
third week in a row, I set out on a trip with Scott Ferguson – I
have come to know Scott as a remarkably intelligent and thoughtful
young man, with a pure, intrinsic love of the mountains. We share
many “mountain” traits, such as stopping often to take
photographs, sticking to the ridge when possible, and exploring as
much of the mountain as possible, even if it requires extra time and
distance and energy. Scott is also in terrific physical condition,
which allows him to talk and carry the conservation while I'm
desperately trying to catch my breath! It is a sheer pleasure to
enjoy the mountains with Scott.
After
two intensely rewarding, but long and very strenuous trips in
previous weeks, we were both looking forward to a more “relaxing”
ascent and the Livingstone South seemed to be a good choice.
Livingstone South is the southern-most peak of the enormous Centre
Peak massif. Alison Sekera had completed the ascent a couple of weeks
earlier and reported it to be in good condition.
The
approach, up a significant cutline was easy and enjoyable. Upon
reaching the ridge, however, we were hit hard by the infamous
Southern Alberta wind. Initially it was kinda' refreshing, but
quickly that wind became bitingly cold, gusting in blasts that would
threaten to knock us off our feet. I put on every last item of
clothing that was in my pack, including a balaclava, neck gaiter and
toque. That kept me warm, but unless I instantaneously ballooned up
to 500 lbs, was going to do nothing against the wind!
Of
course, a mild breeze was not going to stop us! And at least the wind
was primarily to our backs, sometimes even pushing us up the
mountain.
The
ridgewalk/scramble to the summit was fantastic (much better than
either of us were expecting), replete with varied terrain,
lichen-covered rock, plenty of great snow scenery, narrow
ridgewalking and even a little route-finding. Thankfully there were
several places where we could find shelter from the wind and even a
few sections on the open ridge where the wind was surprisingly almost
non-existent. The final tromp up to the summit was awesome and the
summit view correspondingly awesome. Considering the volatile weather
conditions around us, we felt very lucky to be enjoying some blue
skies and sun (even if the wind was pushing us around like
rag-dolls).
For a
short time, we were able to find a sheltered spot to have some food,
but suddenly the wind found its way around to the east side of the
summit and it was clearly time to go. The descent was as enjoyable as
the trip up. I thought that the wind would be brutal, as we would now
be travelling into it, however, it was hardly a factor at all, having
fortuitously changed direction enough as to not impede our descent.
ANOTHER
great trip! How lucky we are!
Not again!!! After crawling up several sections of Lightning Peak, a week earlier,
this was not a good way to start this trip. Thankfully the crawling was very short lived.
Much easier terrain on a nice, wide and snow-less trail!
Scott reaches the ridge, where the wind picks up
The first part of the ridge, with the summit just left of centre
Scott checks out an awesome rockband
Of course, I have to take a look too! (photo by Scott)
A closer look
Descending a short, steep snow slope to get around a rockband (photo by Scott)
Scott descends that slope
More of the beautiful ridge (photo by Scott)
Care is required for several sections
Approaching a colourful, lichen covered rockband (photo by Scott)
More ridge (photo by Scott)
The final slog to the summit (photo by Scott)
Same as above
Scott on the upper ridge
Almost there
Scott at the summit
Leaning way left into the vicious wind to try to keep my balance (photo by Scott)
Scott looks for shelter from the wind. You can see from the orientation of his helmet that this spot was not it!
The view to the north. Centre Peak in the centre
Preparing to return (photo by Scott)
Descending the ridge
Me doing the same (photo by Scott)
Back onto the interesting sections of the ridge
Same as above
Same as above
Enjoying the snowy ridge
Ascending more colouful rock on return (photo by Scott)
I wish my head really was half SUN - I would have way more energy!!! (photo by Scott)
Scott approaches the lichen covered rock
Scott ascends the rock, with a threatening storm behind
More scenic ridgewalking (photo by Scott)
And more scenic snow ascending! (photo by Scott)
The storm passes Turtle Mountain at the left
