Mount Ogden

Mount Ogden – July 31, 2007

Mountain height:           2703 m
Elevation gain:              1200 m
Ascent time:                  2:40
Descent time:                2:20

Solo scramble.

I wasn’t expecting too much from this trip, having ascended nearby Paget Peak, Mount Field, and Mount Bosworth. Fortunately, the trip turned out to be a very enjoyable one for several reasons:

1. It’s short – you have to bushwhack for the first hour, but it's easy bush and you gain about 600 vertical metres of elevation in that time;
2. The beautiful larch-filled plateau once you’ve completed the 600 vertical metres;
3. A terrific view of the milky-green waters of Sherbrooke Lake;
4. Even better views of Mount Stephen, Cathedral Mountain, and Mount Victoria;
5. An enjoyable ridgewalk with an amazing variety of colourful rock;
6. A splendid view from the summit, especially towards Mount Nilesand Balfour

However, this is not a trip to be taken lightly. Although 99% of the scrambling is easy to moderate, the 1% that is not is deadly exposed. You have to traverse across a narrow ledge with a severe drop-off on one side. I had a death-grip on all handholds throughout the traverse. Thankfully, it’s short. An amazing summit panorama rewards those who brave the traverse.