Bertha Peak II
June 9, 2013
Mountain height: 2440 m
Elevation gain: 1150 m
Ascent time: 4:45
Descent time: 2:40
Scrambling
with Mark.
A
return to the summit of inconspicuous Bertha Peak was long overdue. My first
trip up Bertha reminded me that mountains don’t have a look like Mount Assiniboine or K2 to provide an awesome mountain experience. Mark
had never been up Bertha Peak, nor had he visited its namesake lake and so the stage
was set.
After
hiking to Bertha Lake, we started up the standard Kane route for Bertha Peak. The
route is excellent one, featuring sections of terrific hands-on scrambling, lots
of interesting route-finding, and of course a wild variety of amazing rock. I’m
not sure how closely we stuck to the Kane route, 
as there was something interesting
to check out at every turn. However, eventually we did gain the summit ridge
and then the summit.
The
summit view is one of the more rewarding in the park, specifically because of
the bodies of water that are visible (Bertha Lake and some of the Waterton
Lakes). The vast array of striking peaks in every direction further adds to the
spectacle.
For
descent, we went down the west ridge for a little while, before turning south to
intercept our ascent route. The west ridge features some of the brightest red
argillite I’ve ever seen and is so worth the extra distance.
A
wonderful return to a wonderful mountain. Hard to imagine never seeing this
summit again. We will return!
Near the viewpoint over the Upper Waterton Lake
Mount Richards provided a very memorable day in 2006
Pleasant hiking along the Bertha Lake Trail
A small waterfall before reaching the bigger ones
Lower Bertha Falls
Upper Bertha Falls is huge, but unfortunately you see only see a small portion of it through the trees
At the shores of Bertha Lake checking out the ascent route
Crossing the lake outlet. The ascent route goes straight up, to the right of the waterfalls at the left
Up we go. Partial views of the Waterton Lakes, Bertha Lake, and Vimy Peak (also a memorable day in the same year as Richards) are already pretty decent.
Not much snow remaining on the mountain, but we'll use whatever we can to facilitate the ascent
Nice little resting place above the snow
Much of Richard's fierce north ridge (right) is visible throughout. That's only a small section of it.
Easy does it here. You wouldn't want to slip under the gap between the snow and the rock!
Here comes the mesmerizing rock. The different types and colours are staggering on this mountain!
Typical scrambling terrain of the ascent route
This looks inviting
Mark scrambles up the step-like rock
Back to the stunning rock
Rocks weren't the only colourful things - the bodies of water are noticeably different in colour
Another section of fun scrambling
Same as above
There is no escape from the awesome rock!
Little break from the scrambling
Mark takes in the view
I'm taking in the rock!
Interesting section coming up
Easy does it here too
Oh, sweet oxidization!
This reminded me of an open wound
Thankfully this didn't - good thing, as I'm very squeamish about open wounds!
Another quick break
The upper section doesn't look like much from here, but it is home to some exquisite layered rock
Not this - this is just the awesome view behind us
That's more like it
Marks explores one of the coolest rock bands we've ever seen
Same as above
Last bit of scrambling before reaching the plod to the summit
Start of the plod - it's a very good plod though!
The plod stays close to the precipitous east face of Bertha
Mount Alderson is front and centre throughout
So is the terrific view to the east
Almost at the top
Arrived
View to the west
The Middle and a small section of the Upper Waterton Lake
Getting closer to the edge reveals more of the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake at the far left
Mount Cleveland
Me ruining the view of Mount Cleveland
Mark and the lakes
The colourful summit team - too bad I didn't have a red helmet!
Mount Carthew
Alderson again
Best view of the Upper Lake, with Vimy Peak and Sofa Mountain behind
Descending the awesome west ridge
It's red argillite heaven for a while
Mount Blakiston in the background
Mini peaks of the stunning rock
The north side of the ridge has some of the best rock scenery
As stated, some of the brightest red argillite you may ever encounter
Same as above
Descending into the bowl southwest of the summit
Same as above
And again
Got to enjoy some boot skiing
Soon it's time to traverse back to the ascent route
Pleasant encounter with yet more cool and colourful rock
Same as above
Almost back to the ascent route, although we'll be taking a slightly different line down
Mount Richards and Bertha Lake. The full length of Richard's north ridge is on full display, with the summit at the far right.
Mount Boswell - great trip, but one I'd like to repeat on a perfectly clear day
Cleveland again
Vimy again, from low on the Bertha Lake Trail. Great view to end a great day!
The End
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