Prairie Bluff X


 
April 19, 2020
 
Mountain height: 2258 m      
Elevation gain:    558 m
Round-trip time:  5:30
 
Solo snowshoe and a little mountaineering.
 
Two days after being “ushered” off this ridge by a very insistent, bone-chilling wind, I was back for redemption. The north-facing ridge lies between two other north-facing ridges on Prairie Bluff and, as with all Prairie Bluff routes, appeared to offer a good dose of colourful rock and varied scenery.
 
Assuming you are interested in checking out the awesome rock, the tricky aspect of this side of the mountain is the time of day to plan an ascent. The east facing rock gets full Sun only in the morning and the west-facing only in the evening. As such, unless you plan to spend 12-16 hours on the mountain, you get awesome views of one but not the other. Having experienced the west facing rock a few years ago, checking out the east facing stuff was the plan for the day – given that I’m very much a “morning person”, this was quite agreeable to me!
 
Following my snowshoe track from 48 hours earlier was generally easy, until I arrived in the open bowl beneath the ridge. At this point, the wind had completed filled-in/obliterated the trail. After gaining a little elevation and then trading snowshoes for crampons and an ice axe (not going to make the same mistake twice), I spent for good hour checking out some outrageously cool and colourful rock and lichens on the east side of the ridge. I don’t how many times I can be completely blown away by the stunning scenery on Prairie Bluff, but ten ascents and I’m still in awe of this lowly and seemingly dull peak – the (not-so) hidden gem of The Castle.
 
Continuing up, I soon encountered more outstanding rock scenery, but unfortunately on the northwest side of the ridge, where the Sun wouldn’t be making an appearance for at least 10 hours. Looks like a return trip is already in order!
 
The crux of the trip followed – and good thing I had snowshoes with me. The snowy trek from the top of the ridge to the summit of Prairie Bluff was downright grueling, even with the added support of snowshoes; without them, progress would have ended right there.
 
Nevertheless, I did eventually reach the summit, took the obligatory photos and then started down. The fastest and most logical descent route would be to follow the “other” ridge down, even though all the stunning rock would still be in shadow. It went without a hitch and reminded me of why this is such a good evening ascent route.
 
Great day out on Prairie Bluff – nothing new there!

A few members of a massive herd of elk in front of Bellevue Hill



The elk on the other side of the road. This only represents of fraction of the herd.



The challenging east face of Prairie Bluff



The now very familiar scene of the two ridges. Up on the right, down on the left for today. 



Approaching the ridge and still in shade - left a little too early, I guess!






The colourful rock begins



A distraction while waiting for the Sun to arrive



Much better!



One day I would like to return to this area and explore it more fully


And here's why





















This rock feature mesmerized me - couldn't pull myself away from it



Looking over to the descent ridge



Still mesmerized!



This wasn't too bad either



























Finally on the ridge and resuming travel upwards



Not half as windy as two days ago, but quite blustery at times



As is often the case the rock in The Castle doesn't look to be that impressive from afar



Calm again. The summit of Prairie Bluff (left of centre) appears in the distance.
 


Mount Gladstone in the background and the ridge Mark and I ascended back in 2010 in the foreground



Looking better, but definitely needs the Sun on it









Tried this route up but backed down when it got steep and exposed



The reward of going around the left side of the rock band is the opportunity to see tons of amazing rock









First good look at Victoria Peak



There's the Sun but in the wrong part of the sky.
Definitely requires a return trip when the planet has rotated enough to put the Sun in the right part.



View from the top of the rock band. Prairie Bluff summit at far left.



Pincher Ridge at the far left. Another Castle favourite.



Victoria Peak



Windsor Mountain (left) and Castle Peak



Mount Gladstone



The terrain to the ridge from here looks fairly benign, but it's far longer than it appears and the snow is insanely deep



Heading into the intervening forest



Photographing trees, while I catch my breath



Out of the forest and almost to the ridge



Cut left to see some of the last of the winter's cornice scenery








Nice curves



Still blustery









Looking down the alternate descent route I took on my first visit to this side of the mountain



Something I'll miss from winter



Not sure if I'll miss that winter wind though











Victoria Peak is an irresistibly photogenic mountain



Summit view



Prairie Fire and Prairie Storm in the middle foreground, Pincher Ridge (left)



Looking down on Cinch Hill and Bridle Peak



So many ridges and outliers to explore



Obligatory photo of the summit stump



Rock that needs the Sun on it






Down at the rock band that surprised me on Prairie Bluff V



View back up the mountain



Looking over to the ridge I just ascended



There are many potential descent routes on the northeast side of the mountain - just not when they are this snowy



Side trip to the east side of the descent ridge
 





Back on the original ascent/descent route where all the lichen-covered rock sits


















Managed to get a few glissades in






End to an awesome trip

The End

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