Smoat Peak attempt II – December 8, 2007

Scrambling with Mark.

This second attempt of the peak north of Old Goat Mountain was doomed from the start and we should have known better. A recent, heavy dump of snow, cold temperatures, and risk of avalanches all contributed to an early turn around well before we even reached the ridge, let alone the summit.

Above tree line, the snow was very deep and difficult to move through. Our progress was therefore slow and painstaking. The plan was to follow a snow filled gully all the way to the ridge, but the potential to trigger an avalanche was too high. We had to settle for a highpoint about 200 vertical metres from the ridge. Even here the panorama was outstanding, mostly due to a cloudless sky and the impressive forms of Big Sister, The Rimwall, Lougheed, Sparrowhawk, and Bogart. What we really wanted to see, however, was the view to the west from the ridge. Turning around was very disappointing.  

A dog-powered sled takes off as we get underway; Smoat Peak is in the centre

The avalanche gully that leads to the ridge 

A closer look

Mark tramps up the lower slopes; The Rimwall and Mount Lougheed behind

We chose this gully to the left of the intended route because 
it was full of avalanche debris and therefore easier to ascend

More slogging

Mount Sparrowhawk across the lake

More of the ascent

Mark with Big Sister at the left

Approaching our highpoint of the day

Finally in the sun

A lone tree

Mark takes a break

Mark by another lone tree, with Big Sister dominating the view to the east

Looking north across the slopes we traversed on our first attempt

A closer look at the unnamed peak to the north

An east facing panorama from our highpoint

The view to the south

A closer look at Sparrowhawk and Bogart (right)

Some of the fascinating peaks on the east face of the Goat Range 

A close-up of one of those peaks

The northwest side of The Rimwall