Eiffel Peak II
July 7, 2013
Mountain height: 3080 m
Elevation gain: 1200 m
Roundtrip time: approximately 8
hours
Scramble with Nicole and Chris.
Were it not for the increasingly difficult access to the Moraine Lake
parking lot (human congestion), Eiffel Peak would probably make it onto my list
of “Mountains I could climb once a year, every year, until I die”. From the outstanding
view over Moraine Lake right at the beginning of the trip, to the
breath-tasking scenery of Larch Valley, to the fun scrambling, to the
outrageous summit views, this scramble is a delight from beginning to end.
When Nicole and Chris suggested a good scramble in the Lake
Louise/Moraine Lake area, Eiffel was the first one to come to mind. As expected, they both thoroughly enjoyed the
approach hike and the lower section of the ascent. However, the middle section
of the mountain was still plastered in rock hard snow. Without crampons and ice
axes this part was not ascendable. Luckily we were able to avoid the snow
slopes by scrambling up some pretty steep rock to the right. Eventually we did
achieve the summit and stayed awhile to enjoy the magnificent views.
Getting down the steep rock was bit of a challenge, but below it, the
wonderful hike out ended a terrific day.
Eiffel Peak (3 attempts, 2 successes) (left) and Pinnacle Mountain (2 attempts, 2 failures)
What is Nicole taking a picture of?
...stunning Mount Fay, across the valley
The excellent trail and Eiffel
Several mountains of the Valley of the Ten Peaks are revealed; Babel, Fay, Bowlen, Perren , Allen
First little glimpse of the area's most popular peak - Mount Temple
Eiffel and Pinnacle are quite the scenic duo!
Nicole, Chris, and Eiffel
Nicole crosses a small creek
Views of Temple get better throughout the ascent
Views of the objective are pretty darn cool too
Chris takes the lead
Nicole and Temple
The majesty and aura of Temple should take nothing away from the sheer
aesthetic beauty of Eiffel itself. It's an awesome mountain.
Helmet time
Pinnacle and Temple
There's a lot of rubble on Eiffel, but at least its colourful rubble
The grade of the lower slopes
Tuzo, Deltaform, and Neptuak
Distant Moraine Lake finally becomes visible
Not as "in-your-face" colourful as the peaks in southern Alberta, but still equally beautiful
More scree slogging
There is some good rock on the mountain
The snow we didn't want to find
Some easy scrambling
A few well placed cairns en route
Getting steeper
Onto some fairly serious terrain, in order to avoid the snow
Nicole is enjoying it!
Almost there
Summit cairn!
Massive Mount Lefroy behind Nicole and the Horseshoe Lakes
Pinnacle blends very well into Temple from this angle
Fay again
The view to the northeast includes Aberdeen, Haddo, and distant Hector between the two
Views towards Moraine Lake, with Nicole
You know what and you know who
The big peak at the left is Mount Hungabee
Someone is feeling good about her accomplishment. The Goodsirs to the left.
At
this rate, in a few years, only LeBron James (or Wilt Chamberlain for
older-timers like me) will be able to add to the top of the cairn
More very cool looking rock on descent
Passed the tough stuff and onto easier and more fun terrain
Back on the well worn scree trail
Parting look at Temple
Easy and super scenic hike out after an amazing ascent
The End
