Loaf Mountain (middle summit)
January
1, 2013
Solo
scramble.
Totally
awesome trip. Some of the best rock scenery I’ve ever seen. I will definitely
have to return in the spring or summer and write this route up. It is way
better than the one in the first More
Scrambles book.
I actually
attempted a similar route with Bob, Dinah and Linda in May of 2005. We made
it about halfway up before snowy, whiteout, and downright nasty conditions
prompted a hasty retreat.
With a
considerably more favourable weather forecast, I hiked about 4 km of the very
bikeable trail, on the south side of Loaf. I guess I didn’t even entertain the
idea that the trail would be devoid of snow on New Year’s Day of ANY year!
There are
plenty of potential routes up the mountain from this side and so I just picked
the first one that looked interesting and doable. The East End of Loaf is lined
with interesting rock formations that are fascinating to look at, but difficult
to ascend.
Though
initially just a plod up slopes of grass and scree, the ascent soon turned into
a visually stunning trek, amidst colourful rock and frozen waterfalls. I spent
a little too much time exploring this fantastic area, as by the time is finally
reached the ridge, the Sun was setting
and making the summit was now out of reach. As well, the wind was biting and so
a retreat was in order.
Once again,
I’ll be back!
Looking for a route up. Clearly this was not it!
The interesting rock at the east end of the mountain
Heading up
Straight up the gully may have worked, but I decided to go to the left at this point
Aiming for the rockband in the centre
Nothing like a little lichen to spice things up!
This twisted, dead tree earned a great deal of photo attention
So did this one
Approaching a striking rockband
Some of the colours and contours that make the Castle and Waterton amazing!
Same as above
Sweet rock!
Looking southeast to Mount Roche (Spread Eagle Mountain)
Exploring the terrain
The route goes up alongside this frozen waterfall
Approaching the ridge
A red argillite band to overcome
On the ridge, looking north to Drywood Mountain
The summit of Loaf. Too far away for today
LOG
