Mount Rowe VII
January 3, 2023
Mountain height: 2464 m
Elevation gain: 820
m
Round-trip
time: 3:35
???
Solo snowshoe.
As discovered in
2022, ascents of Mount Rowe were likely to become my go-to winter trips in
Waterton.
I was very
excited to get in invitation from the Matt Clay to try an ascent via of the
peak via Akamina Pass on January 2. Unfortunately, circumstances dictated I
wouldn’t arrive in Waterton until late morning or early afternoon for that day
and, as such, I wasn’t able to join the group. The good news was that Matt and
his party had completed the trip and later in the day reported to me that the
snow conditions for the mountain were excellent: a solid base with minimal
sinking. They had also enjoyed perfect weather and stayed at the summit for
over an hour.
The next day was
also forecast to be clear, but windier and so I set out for a third winter ascent
of Rowe, hoping to make a loop by taking the direct route to the summit and
then following Matt’s tracks down to Akamina Pass.
Shockingly, I
arrived at the parking lot to dreary, overcast weather, even though the skies
were clear for almost the entire drive in. With no other ideas in mind, I
started up Rowe, hoping the very low clouds were part of an inversion. And thankfully
they were!
An excellent
snowshoe trail (big thanks to the individual(s) for breaking it) seemed to be
going in the right direction immediately from the start. However, after gaining
some elevation, the trail leveled off and was clearly heading around the south
side of the mountain, towards Akamina Pass and not up. By this time, I had
ascended above the clouds and wanted desperately to start gaining elevation to
break treeline. 
I left the broken trail and headed straight up, a fair distance
west of the previous ascent line I took.
Trail-breaking
from this point on ranged from decent to gruesome (solo snowshoeing has its
drawbacks!). Nevertheless, views of the low-lying clouds in the valley below, clear
skies above, and numerous beautiful peaks all around provided scads of
motivation to make haste. I eventually hit the summit ridge, west of the
summit, and hurried to the top. Views were outstanding, but the almost
frightening wind chill was going to be the “TSN Turning Point” of the day.
While Matt and company had enjoyed an hour at the top, my summit stay amounted
to no more than 2 minutes – just enough time to snap a few photos and catch my
breath.
I then hi-tailed
it down the west ridge, hoping to find Matt’s snowshoe trail. A visit to the next
highpoint, though initially planned, was out of the question, due to the
bone-chilling cold. Once intercepted, following alongside Matt’s tracks was a
godsend. It was easier to plunge-step off to the side, but Matt and his group
had forged the least steep route possible, and I was down to Akamina Pass in no
time.
A fantastically
scenic and visually captivating trip. Not making it to the higher summit for a
third straight time was a little disappointing, but there will likely be plenty
more winter attempts of Mount Rowe!
Gloomy weather at the start
Gaining both elevation and hope to see clear skies
The direct route goes up the right skyline, but I followed a snowshoe track heading west
More signs of clearing, but I'm not gaining elevation
The Sun hits part of Akamina Ridge
...and the cloud tops
Leaving the broken trail and heading straight up the mountain to escape
the trees. Patience is sometimes not one of my strong-suits in the
mountains!
A cloud-filled valley - the main reason I wanted to gain elevation as quickly as possible
l
Another reason
Deep, blue sky to the north
Not as deep to the south, but the cool, Sun-splashed clouds make up for it
Mount Custer and the clouds
I really do love the deep, blue sky!
The highest summit of Buchanan Ridge at the left and Mount Carthew in the centre. Both are enjoyable ascents year-round: autumn, winter, spring, summer!
Long Knife Peak
Finally above the trees
Mounts Kintla and Kinnerly at the far left
The clouds below will be a source of amazement for the next little while
As will the peaks poking out above the clouds
The second photo of Kintla and Kinnerly and not the last!
The overall view continues to improve
On the summit ridge and heading to the summit (thankfully with the wind at my back!)
Daring to turn around, into the wind, to see the spectacle to the west
Summit cairn
Mount Lineham
View to the east
The cloud layer to the southwest persists
The small summit, peaking above the clouds at the mid-right is Bennett Pass Peak
Summit pano #1
Summit pano #2
Mount Cleveland
Chapman Peak
Last time for the majestic Kintla/Kinnerly duo
King Edward and Starvation
The higher summit to the northwest that has alluded me for all three of my winter-like ascents of Rowe
Distant Mount Festubert framed between the higher GR and The Peak of Despair
Festubert (left) should be renamed "The Peak of Despair TOO", given
that's probably the feeling you will have when reaching the summit and
then realizing how far away you are from the parking lot!
Approaching the col between Rowe and the GR
In search of Matt and company's snowshoe tracks
I thought the clouds would have started to dissipate later in the day but they did not
I lied about Kintla and Kinnerly!
The Rowe Lakes receive very little, if any, Sun at this time of the year
Eureka! Found the tracks.
Starting to descend below the clouds
Goodbye Long Knife!
Sweet tracks to follow!
Definitely below the cloud now
The frosty trees attest to the cold
That's a pretty firm snowpack for early January. Usually the snowshoe prints go far deeper into the snow.
Mount Rowe from the Akamina Parkway
A very different view than the one when I started
The End
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