Vimy Peak II and beyond
August 21, 2020
Mountain height: 2377 m
Elevation gain: approximately
1300 m
Roundtrip time: 8:50
Solo scramble.
Not surprisingly, a second run up Vimy Peak was as enjoyable, if not more than the first.
Even
without an ebike the 6.5 km bike approach is a fun and easy one, gaining
minimal elevation. It was also my noisiest approach to date - 25 minutes of
non-stop yelling and obnoxious singing that I’m sure scared off every living
thing with a 10 km radius!
I decided to take the “normal” route up the
mountain, as opposed to the more adventurous and scenic route Mark and I had
stumbled upon in 2006. The ascent went without a hitch, although the “Vimy Peak
4.8 km” sign is quite deceiving. The actual summit is about 7 km away, with
about 1000 m of elevation gain.
I stopped at the summit only for a few seconds,
as the lower western summit beckoned. That summit provides the best view of all
three of the Waterton Lakes. I also wanted to scope out potential routes up the
west face of the mountain. Mark and I have always looked longingly at that side
of the mountain from the Watertown townsite, hoping to spot a weakness in the
seemingly impenetrable wall lining the upper face.
The view from that summit was outstanding,
although the haze of forest fire smoke started to fill the skies to the north
and west. A route up the face did not reveal itself (unless you are Alex
Honnold!) but continuing along the ridge to an even lower summit looked compelling.
The big descent and small ascent to that lower
summit provided the most challenging and interesting terrain of the day. Just
before the summit, the ridge became jagged and knife-edged. A short detour
around the left side revealed relatively easy access to the summit and another
fine view. The traverse also revealed a couple of potential routes up the face,
though they would be at the high end of scrambling and probably closer to
technical climbing. For a very brief moment I was tempted to try to downclimb
one of the routes but quickly came to my senses!
And
then the agonizing decision of a descent
route. From my present vantage point, it appeared I could descend
southeast, more
or less directly to the Crypt Lake Trail. That would leave a long hike
around
the mountain back to my bike but would be a cool and unknown adventure.
Of
course, simply retracing my steps was also an option. Given that I was
getting tiogether with some old friends to attempt Mount Boswell the
following day I opted for
the safe and known return route – better to save my energy for that
kayak
crossing of Upper Waterton Lake than risk getting cliffed out on Vimy
and
having to re-ascend half the mountain!
Good choice – the ascent back up to Vimy Peak
and the descent was once again scenic and straightforward.
An awesome return to
a most deserving (of repeated visits) mountain!
Vimy Peak dead ahead
Closer look at the mountain's impressive north face
The first of many views of the Waterton Lakes
Mount Alderson in the background - one of the best trips in Waterton
First view of Vimy's summit, but it's still quite a distance to the top
Much closer to the summit (at the right)
The view to the south starts to open up
Some gray/green argillite to whet your appetite
Rocks on the ridge
On the ridge looking south
Same as above and a little glimpse of Upper Waterton Lake
The "King" of Waterton - Mount Blakiston
Alderson is no slouch either and stands as the 6th highest peak in Waterton
Summit view from Vimy Peak - great views of the Middle and Lower Waterton Lakes, but little of the Upper Lake
Looking down to the Middle Lake and the route Mark and I used in 2006
Looking back to the summit of Vimy
Fantastic views of the lakes and Waterton throughout the easy traverse to the lower summit (we'll call it "Vimy Junior")
Approaching the summit of Vimy Junior
The view to the south includes Mount Cleveland (distant centre), Crypt Peak (left), and Mount Boswell (right)
Mount Crandell, towering above the lake, is front and centre
It may look steep going back up to Vimy, but the grade is quite gentle
Improving views of the Upper Lake. The next destination is the little peak at the left (we'll call it "Little Vimy").
Heading down to Little Vimy
The north side of Vimy is replete with colourful layers of rock
More views while descending the ridge
Looking back to the previous summit. The steep stuff is easily circumvented on the right (left when I was coming down)
Vimy Junior (right) looks to be a significant peak from this angle, but really is just a minor highpoint along the ridge
Little Vimy looks a little formidable!
Amazingly beautiful and solid rock along the traverse
The summit block of Little Vimy. There are a couple of obstacles to overcome.
Looking back to Vimy Junior (centre) and Vimy Peak
Obstacle #1 - weakness around the left side
Looking back again, as I go around the left side of Obstacle #1
Views of the lakes and Waterton never dip below the "amazing" level
The first part of Obstacle #2, where the ridge gets narrow and jagged
Going around the left side of this one too
Almost there
Summit view to the southwest
Summit pano
Looking down the continuation of the ridge
Heading back up
Lots of great rock scenery to take my mind of all the elevation I need to gain to get back to Vimy Peak
One of the highlights of the day was this small section of super colourful rock, with the lakes far below
On return, with the Sun in a different position, I had to retake all the photos I took on the way in!
Terrain at the bottom of the north face that begs exploration
Almost back at Vimy's true summit and finding more amazing rock
Pano with the true summit at the left and the Vimy Junior and Little Vimy at the right
Crypt Peak - still holding on to the title of "My Favourite Scramble of All-Time"!
Sofa Mountain - not holding onto any titles, but still a more than worthwhile objective: Sofa I, II, III
Back at the summit
Heading down on one of several good trails
Parting look at Vimy
The End
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