Prairie Lookout attempt – August 4, 2007

Roundtrip time: 12:55

Scrambling with Mark.

Just call us Adam and Adam. Tempted by a wonderful water-worn gully with amazing rock, we chose a line on the mountain that led us directly to a slightly overhanging rock wall. That wall was the beginning of the end, as we would spend 3 hours trying to climb or circumvent it, without success. Another view of the ascent slope, later in the day, revealed that had we gone either to the left or right of that gully, on loose scree and rubble slopes, we probably would have enjoyed a relatively easy ascent and the summit. 

Totally bummed out, we settled for a slog up the French Glacier for some views of the Haig Glacier. This little side trip really salvaged the entire day. The views of Jellicoe, Sir Douglas, Robertson, and Monro were outstanding. From the col, we couldn’t resist a little jaunt across the Haig Glacier and up a bump at the north end of Mount Maude , where even more impressive views awaited.

Note: Prairie Lookout, as named in The Rocky Mountains of Canada South, is basically the north end of Mount French and at an elevation of 3191 m almost guarantees a superb view. It is also the very impressive and distinctive peak that is readily seen from the Smith-Dorrien Highway . But what’s with the lame name?? “Prairie Lookout” evokes images of innocuous Prairie Mountain , or “Little House on the Prairie”, or prairie oysters (well….maybe not the last one!). This mountain definitely deserves something with a little more teeth – how about Tooth Mountain , since from the road it vaguely resembles a tooth!        

One of the impressive waterfalls along French Creek

Watching a moose that's watching me

Mount Robertson comes into view

Marks hikes up the moraine; Piggy Plus (left) and the north end of Burstall in shadow

Mark scrambles up the gully; the rock here was actually up-sloping

Mark searches for a route around the rock wall at the left; contrary to appearance, the terrain here is steep, exposed and hideously loose (what happened to our beautiful up-sloping rock)

I get the easy job of belaying; Mount Birdwood in the centre

Heading up the French Glacier

Looking down the glacier

Mount Monro is the first peak to appear over the Haig Glacier

Mark looks for as path over a small crevasse; Mount Jellicoe to the right

On the Haig Glacier, with Mount Maude behind

Same as above; King George at the distant right

Slogging up the "bump" at the north end of Maude 

Mark heads to a highpoint

Looking back at Sir Douglas (left) and Robertson

The south face and east ridge of Sir Douglas

Mark at the highpoint

The view to the south

On return

Looking across the Haig Glacier; Robertson (left) and French

Mark with Mount French

More of the Haig Glacier

Evening light on Prairie Lookout

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