Missinglink Mountain
November
27, 2011
Mountain
height: 1938 m
Elevation gain:
398 m
Ascent time:
1:30
Descent
time:
1:35
Hiking
with Mark.
We
got the idea for this very short trip from Bob Spirko’s site and Mike
Potter’s
Ridgewalks. Like Powderface Ridge, 24 hours earlier, the theme of the
day was
going to be severe winds. However, unlike Powderface, we wouldn’t be
taking a
route up that was sheltered from the wind; not at least for the first
part.
The
wind
definitely made its presence known as we started up the open slopes of
the
mountain’s south ridge – simply trying to take photos became the crux
of the
trip! Under fairly dismissal skies, we didn’t linger long to and
hurried up to
the first highpoint of the day.
After
being brutalized by the wind some more, hiking alongside the impressive
rockface on the west side of the peak, we found ourselves in the trees
where
the wind was non-existent. The hike to the summit was an easy affair.
Unfortunately,
the summit view fell far short of its potential, thanks to the storm
system to
the west, however, we weren’t expecting much from the weather (besides
clouds
and raging winds, that is!)
Normally
the descent would have taken only about an hour. Once back to a point
near the
first highpoint, we decided to take a slightly different route, turning
west to
descend grassy slopes back to the road. This put us beneath the
rockface.
Initially, travel was easy and fast. However, spotting an unusual metal
box
clinging to the side of the rockface, was cause for us to head back up
to the base
of the face to check it out. We couldn’t figure out the purpose of the
old and
rusted contraption, but at least we got to enjoy a pleasant traverse
alongside
of the scenic face.
The
best part of the trip appeared in the form of blue skies above us,
right near
of the end of the day. Combined with the golden grass on the southern
slopes,
this was definitely the scenic highlight of the day.
If
the last part of the trip was the scenic highlight, the drive home
definitely
won out for the most entertaining. The vicious wind ripped several huge
from
their roots in the town of Black Diamond, a freak dust storm reduced
visibility
to about 20 m on Deerfoot Trail, and we witnessed a U-Haul truck that
was only
a couple of degrees shy of tipping over while traveling 100 km/h on
Highway 2.
Overall,
a very pleasant, if not demanding, day out.
Heading up the south slopes, early in the day
At the south highpoint
Hiking above the west rockface
Getting ready to dip into the trees
Mark takes on the wind at the summit
Heading back
Traversing the grassy slopes beneath the rockface
Heading back up to the rock to check out the mysterious metal box on the face
?????
Looking up at he box
More traversing
Although the rock looked solid, it was incredibly fragile and crumbly
Your standard dead tree
Looking back at the south summit, when the skies finally cleared
Hiking back to the car
LOG
