Mount Niles II






 
August 25, 2021
 
Mountain height: 2972 m
Elevation gain:    1350 m
Round-trip time:  9:30
 
Scrambling with Dan.
 
16 years and one day after turning around about 200 m from the summit of Mount Niles, I was back to try again. I wouldn’t characterize the 2005 trip as a failed attempt, as I turned around because I didn’t want to reach the summit in a total whiteout, not because I reached an impasse.
 
In 2021, I would be lucky enough to be joined by Dan on this fine day. Fresh off a longish (and super smoky) day climbing Achilles Spire on Mount Andromache, we both agreed that an easy hike and scramble in scenic surroundings would make for a nice contrast, as opposed to a long, roped climb, also in scenic surroundings (not that we experienced much of that scenery because of the smoke).     
 
Stop #1: Sherbrooke Lake. This lake can be one of the most stunning in the Canadian Rockies, especially on a windless day, and such was the case. The reflections in the milky, turquoise-coloured lake were as perfect as perfect gets. I could have stayed the entire day at the lake, but Niles was calling.


 
Stop #2: Niles Meadows. Although this was my second visit to the famous spot, really it was my first. As stated, the 2005 trip was completed in dismal weather conditions with the accompanying lacklustre scenery. I was less than blown away upon reaching the area. With mostly clear skies, the meadow, beneath the spectacular form of Mount Niles, was outstanding.


 
Stop #3: the summit of Mount Niles. But not before a thoroughly enjoyable ascent, taking in magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and the Waputik Icefield. The summit view was likewise fantastic, even with a little cloud cover. We were both surprised to find what appeared to be a permanent snowfield at the top and dared not go near the edge.


 
On descent Dan decided to scale a very scary looking pinnacle. He said it was straightforward, but I actually turned my head away in fear while he was descending the exposed crux – great climber/brave man – me, not so much! We also made the descent a little more interesting by staying high on a bench above Niles Meadows, before finding a beautiful little drainage that fortuitously led us right back to the trail.

   



 
A fantastic trip with fantastic company.



Sherbrooke Lake and Mount Ogden



Mount Niles (left of centre), and Mount Daly (right)



The east face of Ogden has some wild rock layers



Zoomed-in photo of Niles - it's still a long way off



The awesome lake reflections just keep coming



The milky-turquoise colour of the lake (reflected light actually, not the colour of the water) is evident on the other side of the lake



Looking back across the lake



The first of several cool waterfalls en route to Niles Meadow



Same one up close



The second



And up close



The northeast side of Ogden has tons of cool rock features, such as these slabs



Dan enters Niles Meadow. His backpack blends in with the surroundings, acting as camouflage - a theme for the day!



With my bright yellow jacket, I'm always the most obnoxious-looking lifeform out there! (photo by Dan)



Dan sizes up the objective from the Meadow



Lots of cool rock beyond the Meadow



The drainage that leads to the base of Niles



The soutwesth side of Niles



Looking back down the valley



Dan makes his way up the rubble to the col on the west side of the objective



I look tired! (photo by Dan)



Super cool colouring on this rock



This peak, west of Niles, is described in David Jones' outstanding Rockies West guidebook. It is unnamed but has the proposed name, "Profile Peak". Dan is barely visible at the lower right.



Another shockingly colourful, random rock and Profile Peak



Approaching the west side of Niles and the Kane route up. Yet again, spotting Dan is the "crux" of the photo!



Distant Cathedral Mountain towering above the north ridge of Mount Ogden. 13 years after the fact and still one of our most memorable days in the mountains.



Mount Biddle - no easy routes up that one



Three 11,000 ers: Victoria, Huber, and Hungabee



There are several huge pinnacles on the west ridge



Here's the same one from a different angle



...and with Profile Peak



Dan approaches that one from the other side



Passed the first pinnacle



The second pinnacle is the one Dan would climb on descent (photo by Dan)



Views to the northwest are about to get crazy!



The Emerald Glacier on the east face of The Presidents. Mount Carnarvon just left of centre.



Awesome slab far below us



No yellow jacket, but the blue still stands out (photo by Dan)



Dan checks out the increasingly amazing view. With an elevation about 270 m inferior to Niles, Profile (right side) is looking pretty small now.



Dan leads the way up the steep, upper slopes



The glacially-fed lake has unofficially been titled "Takakkaw Lake". Quite appropriate given that it, in turn, feeds one of Yoho's treasures, Takakkaw Falls. 



Like Sherbrooke, Emerald Lake is an absolute stunner



Summit view over the Waputik Icefield



Dan checks it out



Blue guy at the top (photo by Dan)



Distinctive Mont des Poilus and Yoho Peak in front of des Poilus - two awesome ascents



This outlier of Mount Daly looks very tempting, although its significantly lower than both Niles and Daly



Closer look at Sherbrooke and company



Zoomed-out view in the same direction



Dan takes a mean selfie! (photo by Dan)



The might Daly Glacier



Mighty Mount Balfour is the star of the glacier and the highest peak on the Waputik Icefield



Balfour, the Daly Glacier, and Mount Daly at the far right



Time for a summit snack



Trolltinder Mountain. Like Biddle, there is no easy route up that one.



Glaciated Mount Collie




The little guy in front is unofficial "Takakkaw Peak". I still have to go back to try that one again.



The Presidents



A host of Kane scrambles around the Stanley Mitchell Hut brings back memories of another great trip with my old buddy Kevin Barton



The rapidly receding toe of the Daly glacier



Mount Daly



Closer look at Balfour



Dan does his camouflage tricks again



I should know what mountain that beaut is but it escapes me!



The Mount Daly massif is huge. It extends all the way to Sherbrooke Lake and terminates at Paget Peak



The permanent snowfield (glacier?) on the east side of Niles. Definitely a no-travel zone. (Yes, Dan is in this photo too!)



The Willingdons



Heading down and still enjoying views to the northwest








Dan approaches the pinnacle he will climb



At the base



There he goes



Success!



He starts down



He downclimbs the crux. This is where I turned my head away!



Instead, I just took photos of the other pinnacle



Finishing the descent. Whew!



Dan on safer terrain



Last look at beautiful Balfour



Back near the Niles/Profile col



Last look at the heavily crevassed Daly Glacier


Ready for the long hike hike back (photo by Dan)



Another round of great rock to check out







The impressive southwest side of Niles



Heading for the bench above Niles Meadow







The bench is definitely a scenic cousin to Niles Meadows



No camo for Dan here!



Not quite Sherbrooke Lake, but wonderfully scenic anyway



A different profile of Profile Peak is seen from the bench



Awesome alternative to returning the same way



Looking back at Niles



Dan stops to admire the flowers



Niles again



The illusion of Profile and Niles looking approximately the same height



With more time, I would have liked to stay high on the bench and explore the grassy area ahead. However, we cut left near this point to regain the hiking trail.



Dan leads the way



Another round of terrific water scenery











Back at Sherbrooke Lake

The End

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