Grotto Mountain II


April 22, 2018
 
Mountain height:  2725 m
Elevation gain:     1400 m
Ascent time:         5:30
Descent time:       3:15
 
Scrambling and snowshoeing with Mark.
 
Having ascended the “normal” route up Grotto Mountain, way back in 2002, I had no intention of repeating the trip. It’s a good trip, with a decent amount of elevation gain, but there are many other objectives ahead in line.
 
However, Alan Kane’s third edition of Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies advertised a new route up Grotto – the East Route – and since Mark had never been up the massive peak, we chose this mountain and route as the day’s objective.
 
The route uses the same approach to that of Rat’s Nest Cave and so the trail was initially well worn and easy to follow. That changed when the snow appeared (insanely deep in places for late April) and therefore the trail disappeared. We soon reached a significant rock band that also proved to be a little troublesome. Scrambling up it looked to be more climbing than scrambling and so we went around the right side. Good choice, as this did eventually lead to the main ascent ridge and, as Kane promises, a fine view of the Canmore Corridor. Along the way, the snowshoes came out. An unsupportive crust atop several feet of sugary, unconsolidated snow (resulting in extreme post-holing) was not conducive to easy travel and the ‘shoes would quickly remedy that issue.    
 
Ascending the ridge to the false summit became one of several highlights of the new route, with terrific rock and snow scenery throughout. The other highlight was the ridgewalk from the false summit to the true summit, featuring awesome cornice scenery, more reminiscent of mid-winter than mid-spring.
 
Five and a half hours after leaving, we dragged our fatigued carcasses up to the summit – a very satisfying, but long and tiring ascent. Mark immediately collapsed at the summit to take a brief nap! Very brief, as the air temperature was bitterly cold.  
 
Taking in the excellent view we suddenly noticed a figure coming up the mountain from directly below the summit – turned out to be Alan from Canmore. He had come up the direct route and informed us that the route would offer the quickest way down the mountain. Our ascent had been excessively long and so we opted to try the direct route. While the descent was straightforward, the snow and ice also made it a slow and tedious one in places. It took us about four hours to get back to the road and then we were confronted with a 4 km walk back to the car. Thankfully, Mark was able to “thumb” me a ride. Thanks to Dan from Exshaw for saving me an hour of walking at the end of an already long day.
 
Overall, I would recommend this route up Grotto Mountain over the less interesting normal route. A long, but terrific day out.


The east route from near the parking lot. The route goes up, just left of centre



Mount Lougheed is still holding lots of snow



Closer look at Lougheed and Wind Mountain (far left)



Approaching the significant rock band that must be circumvented



We scrambled up this section, but then went around to the right



Heading right



Circumventing the rock band



Same as above



Looking up at the impressive rock



Much easier travel with snowshoes



First glimpse of the summit



Heel lifts  - not standing on my tippy-toes!!



Mark checks out the terrific view of the Canmore corridor



Mount Lawrence Grassi and Ha Ling Peak lie across the valley




The interesting ridge that must be ascended



Up comes Mark



Approaching a cool rock outcrop
 


There is it



Mark goes around it






And then regains the ridge



Some fairly steep terrain to ascend here






Mark eyes up the next section



And then kick steps up a steep section



I follow



On the ridge and heading towards the summit






Great snow scenery along this ridge



Looking along the backside of Grotto Mountain






Terrific cornice scenery



Losing elevation before gaining it back and more



The summit finally becomes visible












One of the coolest cornices of the day



Mark alongside another cornice right before reaching the summit



Last few steps for me



After a 5.5 hour ascent it's nap time!



Eon Mountain (far left) and Mount Assiniboine (far right) are distant, but clearly visible



Assiniboine



The summit view to the east



Mark and Alan at the summit



View to the northwest



Alan graciously takes a photo of us



Heading down



Starting the long walk back to the car. Dan picked me up a little farther down the road

The End
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