Tumbling Creek Peak
(GR545-686)
August 5, 2021
Scrambling with Raff and Jim Everard.
The original objective for the day was
another attempt of Mount Shanks. Raff and I had endured a somewhat comical
winter attempt of this peak back in 2012. Insane snow conditions repelled our
attempt, long before we even got near the base of the peak.
Unfortunately, it was insane smoke conditions
that would stop us this time. In fact, some of the worst smoke conditions I had
seen in 22 years of mountain excursions. Upon arriving at the parking
lot, I immediately announced to Raff and his unknown friend that I wouldn’t be
going anywhere near Shanks for the day. Even without the snow, the ascent is a
long day with significant elevation gain. Spending 12-14 hours (heavily) breathing
in that level of smoke and then being rewarded with a smoke-filled summit view
did not appeal to me in the least. Raff suggested an unofficial summit on the
west side of Highway 93 South – “Tumbling NE5”. The peak would require far less
effort and so we drove north to the Paint Pots parking lot.
Aside from the amazing scenery at the Paint
Pots, the most interesting part of the approach to the mountain was the
conservation with Raff’s friend, Jim. It became immediately clear that Jim was
an accomplished mountaineer, and I knew I had come across his name (Everard) in the
mountain literature of the Rockies. 
I eventually figured out that Jim had, along
with Blair Piggott, pioneered an awe-inspiring, 10 pitch, 5.9 route up the
northeast face of Anderson Peak in Waterton. The route is described in detail in David Jones' Rockies South.
Anyone who has seen this face
knows what a serious undertaking any route on it is. Jim was generous
enough to
share the story of this more than impressive accomplishment that took
multiple trips over several years to complete, and I was enthralled
hearing the details. And that was but one of Jim’s innumerable ascents.
The
remainder of his life story is a tour de force of fantastic
mountaineering feats. It took some coaxing (because Jim is a humble person) but I walked away with a "mountain" of great mountain tales! I
couldn’t help but feel honoured to be sharing a trip with this gentleman.
Back to the trip.
Past the Paint Pots we hiked the Ochre Creek
Trail for a while and then turned left onto the Tumbling Creek Trail. The goal
was to look for a feasible route up the north side of the Tumbling NE5.
Unfortunately, we could see nothing but very steep, thickly forested slopes
that looked uninviting at best! Further travel, now looking at the northwest
side of the mountain yielded the same disillusioning views. Time for a change
in plans.
As luck would have it, a minor peak
immediately north of our present position appeared to offer far more friendly
terrain to its summit and that became the new objective – let's call it “Tumbling
Creek Peak”. 
The crux looked like it would be getting to the other side of
Tumbling Creek. Fortunately, we soon encountered a massive logjam in the deep, murky,
and fast-flowing creek and Jim expertly led us over to the other side.
Terrain from this point to the ridge was a
pleasant mix of steep vegetated slopes followed by easy scree. Sadly, about
halfway up Jim started to feel unwell and opted to stay put, while Raff and I
made a summit attempt. We continued up to the ridge without difficulty and then
scrambled with relative ease to the summit. Though considerably smaller than
all the surrounding mountains, Tumbling Creek Peak is well situated to offer a
very satisfying and unique summit view – that is on a day when there is as much
air in the air as smoke!! Unfortunately, the haze killed what would have been
an excellent view. And even more unfortunately, its unlikely I would repeat the
ascent on a clear day.
Nevertheless, Raff and I took in what was available
and then returned to find Jim. He was feeling much better by the time we were
reunited. Except for an unnerving (almost) bear encounter, where we heard and
then saw two cubs scrambling up a tree right next to us, the return trip, though
long, went with ease.
