Rainy Ridge II – September 26, 2010 

Mountain height:         2469 m
Elevation gain:            approx. 1100 m
Ascent time:                4:50
Descent time:              2:20                     

Scrambling with Mark.

We wanted four things from this day: lakes, larches, blue sky, and snow. The first two were guaranteed, blue sky a 50/50 proposition, and recent warm temperatures meant snow would be unlikely. Nevertheless, with the larches at their peak yellow colour and limited mountain time, due to other commitments, we had to take a chance that driving far south would steer us clear of the nasty weather approaching from the west. Apparently it wasn’t far enough south – we spent most of the day over completely overcast skies.

Nevertheless, the return to the Middlepass Lakes (my third visit in recent months) was well worth the effort. The falls colours were incredible even if the dreary sky wasn’t. After checking out the three lakes, we started up the west face of Rainy, looking for a decent scramble route through the cliffbands. We found one, but it turned out to be more challenging than expected and required a short section of rope work. The summit view would have been absolutely tremendous with clear skies. Rainy Ridge will definitely be seeing us again, in late September of 2011.       

 
The only decent weather of the day was on the drive in; Mount Haig (centre) and Gravenstafel Ridge

The eastern outlier of Rainy

Heading southeast at Middle Kootenay Pass; the lower slopes of Middle Kootenay Mountain to the left

Three Lakes Ridge

Autumn colours and Three Lakes Ridge

More Fall colours

Looking back to Middle Kootenay Pass

Rainy Ridge

Approaching the second lake

Mark rests at the third lake

Sun and blue sky would have made this an incredible scene

Same as above

Hiking around the lake to the ascent slopes

Looking across the lake

Yellow larch needles make cool patterns in the lake

Mark starts up the main slope

Looking back to the west ridge of Rainy

Searching for a route through the first rockband

Above the first and heading for the second

Another look back to what should have been the most colourful scenery we'd ever seen

Scrambling up the second rockband

Mark comes up through the weakness in the band

On the west ridge, with the summit a short distance away

The summit view to the west

The view to the southwest; Jake Smith, Scarpe, and RA Peak are visible

Barnaby Ridge to the northeast

Looking down the easy descent route back to the lakes

Mark starts down

Mark takes a break by a lone larch

A closer look