Mount Jackson
August
19, 2011
Mountain
height: 3064 m
Elevation gain:
approximately
1800 m
Roundtrip time: 14:20
Scrambling
with Raff.
A
day after bailing on a Mount Jackson attempt, because of less than
ideal
weather, Raff and I set out to try again.
This would be my third time hiking to Gunsight Lake
(Raff`s second) and
the first 8 km were still tiresome and less than inspiring. 
Just before
the
lake we encountered the aftermath of an incredible display of nature`s
power. A
tremendous avalanche had ripped down the south side of Mount Fusillade,
shredding
trees like paper on its way down. The devastation was thorough and
awesome.
Thankfully, a temporary trail had already been forged through the
debris. Climbing over it would have been a nightmare.
Gunsight
Lake was as awesome as the avalanche debris. With the wonderful hues of
Mounts
Jackson, Gunsight, and Fusillade reflected in its clear waters, this
has become
one of my favourite scenes in the Rockies – period!
After
an immensely satisfying break at the lake we hiked a short distance to
find the
bridge over the lake outlet had been washed out – bummer! Not about to
repeat
the comedic (as well as brutally strenuous and time-consuming) high
wire
crossing that Mark and I performed on our June, 2010 attempt of Mount
Logan,
Raff and I simply took off our shoes and forded the shallow waters –
much easier!
A
short section of the Jackson Glacier Trail was hiked, at which point we
left it
and embarked on a very foreshortened slog up to the northeast ridge of
the
objective. Though long, the views and scenery were already causing my
camera to
drool – and that was yet a tidbit of what was to come. Once on the
ridge, we
followed it towards the summit, following cairns now and then and
leaving the
ridge occasionally to avoid steeper sections.
Gaining
elevation, a small but impressive glacier tumbling down the north side
of
Jackson was cause for more gasps of amazement and photo opportunities
(i.e.
convenient excuses to catch our breath). Raff expertly guided us up the
peak,
taking the line of least resistance. Each step yielded more stunning
views of
the surrounding area. Slowly the entire park was being revealed to us.
The
last pleasant scenic surprises upon arriving at the summit (besides the
amazing
view of everything!) were the splendid view of Harrison Glacier drooped
over
Walton Mountain and Lakes MacDonald and Ellen Wilson to the west. 
We
spent a
good hour marveling at the far-reaching vistas around us before
starting the
long descent.
Back
near the start of the summit ridge we ran into Bill and François,
American and
Swiss mountaineers who had ascended Jackson via a different route than
Raff and
me. They explained their route up, claiming that it would make a very
fast
descent route. Raff and I thanked them and started down again trying as
best we
could to follow their route. Given the complexity of the terrain this
was next
to impossible. Luckily for us, Bill and François had rushed to the
summit and
were already making their way down. Not only that, but they were
unbelievably
fast and caught up to us in no time, offering to lead the way down.
François was
especially adept and flew down the rubbly scree with eerie speed and
precision.
He would stop now and then and wait for the rest of us to catch up.
We
made great time down the other side of the northeast ridge, heading
right for
the Gunsight Pass Trail. Another wonderful high elevation goat trail
led us
back to the east side of Gunsight Lake and the easy but chilly outlet
crossing.
After thanking Bill and François again we finished the magnificent day
with a
far less than magnificent, mind- and foot-numbing, 10 km hike back to
the
vehicle. The 200 m elevation gain at the end was particularly grueling
this
time, as we wanted to drive back to Canada that evening and were in
danger of
not making the 11 pm closure of the border at Peigan. We made the
crossing!
A
totally outstanding day and a “must-do” trip for scramblers south and
north of
the border.
Mount Jackson, looking fairly dry
Raff checks out the objective
The last part of the avalanche debris; this part was very easy to negotiate compared to the first part
Mount Jackson (left) and Gunsight Mountain (right)
Gunsight Mountain reflected in Gunsight Lake
Gunsight and Fusillade
More beautiful scenery at the back of the lake
Raff fords the outlet
An outlier of Blackfoot Mountain
Raff heading towards the northeast ridge
Same as above
Steeper terrain near the ridge
Raff and Mount Logan (far left)
Mount Logan
Raff on the northeast ridge
Some of the interesting rock colours and contours of Gunsight Mountain
Disappearing glaciers; this one looks to be on life support!
The terrific view of Gunsight Mountain was a constant companion throughout
Raff and Jackson (left) and Gunsight (right)
The Jackson and Blackfoot glaciers, with Mount Logan and Blackfoot Mountain
Crevasses, but very different from the ones we are used to seeing up north
Same as above
Raff heads up the northeast ridge
More crevasses and cool snow features
The glacier on the northeast side, with Gunsight Mountain and Lake providing an excellent background
Raff at the summit
The summit view to the north; the distant, but big peak at the right is Mount Stimson
The team enjoy the ritual summer, summit soda pop (yet again, Tangerine Fanta gets the nod)
Raff takes in the magnificent view
Over at a subsidiary summit, with Raff at the far left standing at the true summit
The splendid view from the subsidiary summit; Ellen Wilson Lake at the lower left and Lake MacDonald in the upper left
Raff takes in more far-reaching views
Another view of the lakes and dying glaciers
Raff and views to the northwest; notable peaks include, Cleveland, Merrit, Gould, Canon, Clements, Bearhat, and Reynolds
Walton Mountain and the Harrison Glacier
A closer look at the glacier
Mount Stimson
Another view to the northwest with the aforementioned peaks
Raff photographs and terrific view towards Logan
Same as above
Same as above; note the avalanche debris at the bottom
A last look at the surroundings before heading down
Francois (left), Bill and the descent route - straight down towards the lake
Another partial pano
The one time I was ahead of Francois
Raff looks down the complicated descent route
Looking back up the mountain, fortunately we did not have to descend the snow
Boot-skiing down the lower snow slopes
Same as above
Another look back up; our route went in between the snow patches
The trail high above Gunsight Lake
LOG
