Hassel Castle attempt

Morrowmount II 

 
July 10, 2022 
 
Mountain height:  2541 m
Elevation gain:     approximately 1400 m 
Round-trip time:   10:20
 
Climbing and scrambling with Mark. 
 
Hassel Castle had long been on our to-try list. Although we had a bigger objective in mind for the day, the downgraded weather forecast prompted a change in plans. Front-range would be the order of the day and Hassel Castle fit the bill perfectly. Kevin Barton and Cornelius Rott had reached the summit via Hassel’s north ridge, grading it at 5.4.  
 
Geared up to the hilt, we hiked about 7 km up Jura Creek. Though the canyon near the beginning and the false fault a few kilometres up are super fascinating, the terrain between and after is somewhat mundane and tedious. We were quickly reminded of why we rarely hike this way these days.     
 
The next section of the route involved fun scrambling up steep, friction slabs to the ridge. Good and bad news awaited us there. The good: terrific views, especially towards the imposing form of the objective. The bad: a ferocious wind. Our third failed attempt at Mount Birdwood came to mind immediately. After some discussion we decided to go as far as our comfort levels dictated and bail when/if necessary.
 
I was able to squirm my way up the first and reportedly hardest pitch of climb, but communication became increasing difficult and of course a strong wind makes even the easiest climb unnerving. In fact, I banged in a piton atop the step, just to secure myself to the mountain. We both agreed our comforts levels were well on their way to being surpassed (or already had in my case) and opted to back down. I decided to leave the piton in, allowing me to downclimb the step with a top-rope belay.

 
Once onto easier terrain our options were to go home or salvage the day by traversing north to Morrowmount. We chose Morrowmount. Reportedly it’s south ridge offers excellent scrambling. That was not meant to be either. In the interests of time and, more importantly, staying away from any exposed terrain while being assaulted by the wind, we primarily traversed below the ridge. The ascent took far longer than expected but we eventually topped out, had our minor summit celebration, and then started down the “normal” route.
 
The first part of the descent route is terrifically scenic, featuring a beautiful delineation of gray limestone rock and light brown shale. However, once down to the creek, the remainder of the trip was a little soul-sucking. We were both very relieved to stumble back to the car.
 
Hard to say if we’ll return to try Hassel again, but the experience was more than worthwhile and Morrowmount provided an excellent consolation objective.  

The start of the trip. Door Jamb Mountain at the right.



The exciting Jura Creek Canyon



Might as well keep the feet dry for now



The fascinating false fault



Cool coal seam



The water eroded section here is really cool



Out in to the open. Hassel Castle in the centre and "Little Goat"  to the right.



Big, unofficial peak to the north, but I'm sure it has an unofficial name by now



Approaching the point where we will turn right and head up to the ridge



Sun halo



Heading up. Hassel at the far right.



Wonderful slabby terrain to ascend



Same as above



Getting a good view of some of the length of Jura Creek



Still enjoying the slabs



Same as above



Same as above



Same as above, but it's getting steeper



Same as above



Close-up of Mark on the slabs



The view to the west starts with Mount Fable at the left and continues north over a string of peaks, including The Mythic Towers and Mount Townsend



Nearing the top of the slabs with Hassel behind



Unfortunately the slabs eventually give way to rubble



On the ridge and there's Hassel Castle - also called Old Fort Peak



Mark takes the final few steps up to the ridge



Close-up of the route up Hassel - it simply follows the ridge







Wendell Mountain (left) and the more enjoyable East Peak of Wendell



More comprehensive view to the north, northeast, and east



The ridge is super wide..... for now!



View to the northwest



At this point we decided to rope up due to the vicious wind



Below the crux



Ready to ascend the crux. Due to the precariousness of the next section neither of us took any photos.



Looking back up after starting our retreat. I made it up the first step but that's all.



The curving rope gives some indication of the wind



Back onto easy terrain and heading north to Morrowmount



But still a little obsessed with Hassel



Maybe more than a little!



Staying on the east side of the ridge offered some protection from the wind



The CMC valley. The backside of famous Yamnuska, just left of centre



Same as above



Pleasant travel on Morrowmount's south ridge



Same as above



And again



There are a few mildly exposed sections en route



We bypassed this section by traversing below the ridge



Back on the ridge



The summit is close



Final few steps for me



Final few steps for Mark



I guess a few more steps for me



Wendell Mountain



Summit view to the north



Summit view to the south



Summit view of my brother



Summit selfie



Dark clouds to the southwest



But still relatively clear to the north. Association Peak is the mountain in the distance, to the right - as stated in the report, "Glad I did it, but never again!"



Descending slopes of broken shale



Looking over to that big unnamed peak. If I were still in my 30's if probably give it a go. However, "Not a snowball's chance in you know where" in my present decade of existence!



The descent route is going to go right down the middle



Love the delineation of rock here



Clearing up a little to the west



Admiring the delineation before we bomb down the shale



So much for bombing - guess we needed the rest first!



I doubt I'll ever be back this way so better take a ton of photos!



Single tree between the lines of rock



Looking back up to the connecting ridge between Hassel and Morrowmount



Almost down to Jura Creek



Mark cools down with water from a tributary



Start of the long and at times tedious hike down Jura Creek



Little Goat



Hassel Castle



Still tedious



Hassel Castle, Little Goat, and part of Goat Mountain



The rock is this area is awesome (the stuff on the mountains, not in the creek)



Back at the false fault



Almost back to the canyon



The end is finally in sight!

The End

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