Mount Pocaterra II
    



 
July 28, 2014
 
Mountain height: 2934 m      
Elevation gain:    approximately 750 m
Round-trip time:  approximately 6.5 hours
 
Solo scramble.
 
Inspired by the trip reports of Rick Collier and Sonny Bou, outlining an alternate (and more direct) route to the summit of this significant mountain, I was all in for a run at it. Like the majority of people who summit Pocaterra I had competed the ascent via Mount Tyrwhitt, as described in Alan Kane’s Scrambles book. This new route would share the same approach, but veer onto the east face, eventually intercepting Kane’s route near the summit. Side note: surprisingly, Mount Pocaterra is the highest peak of the immense Elk Range massif and yet has not earned an official designation.
 
As always in this neck of the woods, the approach was a scrambler’s dream – short, very scenic, and starting at treeline. Once at the base of the east face, the route up unfolded with relative ease; probably because there is only one weakness through the near vertical rock on the face. In fact, the crux of the trip remains the exposed ridge scramble to the summit. Unfortunately, the east face route does not bypass that nasty section of the ascent.
 
Enjoying near perfect weather, I took a long break at the summit and then retraced my route back down to the valley. The highlight of this portion of the trip turned out to be the stunning green of the grass at the base below the mountain – I took more photos of the grass than views from the summit!
 
Definitely a shorter and exciting route to this major summit and one that I would certainly consider repeating. Hats off and “thank you’s” to Sonny, Rick, and also to Bob Parr, from whom Sonny got the route idea.



Gap Mountain (left) and Elpoca Mountain - two awesome and very different ascents in the Highwood



From Pocaterra Tarn, Pocaterra Ridge (right) and Pocaterra Mountain are visible. The weakness up the mountain is in the centre.



Better view of the weakness and the beautiful greens on Pocaterra Ridge



Hiking between the Ridge and the Mountain to the start of the east face route



A little snow is never a bad thing



The contrasting geological characteristics of Pocaterra Ridge (right) and Pocaterra Mountain are one of the coolest features in this part of the Rockies. Another great example sits at Piper Pass, en route to Tombstone Mountain North.



The route goes up here near the left side



Maybe this character can show me the way



Looking up some of the route...



...looking down it



Mount Rae looks a bit taller than Pocaterra Ridge, but in fact it's almost 600 metres taller



I always delusionally think that when a ram is looking my way, he instinctively realizes I'm a St. Louis/Los Angeles Ram fan!



Mount Tyrwhitt (right) and Grizzly Ridge



Stunning blue sky. The route goes up to the snow, then traverses up to the ridge.



Approaching the snow



Aim for the pinnacle in the centre



Got distracted by this snow bank just before reaching the ridge



The snow and the summit ridge



At the pinnacle



Almost on the ridge



The imposing northeast side of Mount Joffre. Still haven't got to the summit of that one, in spite of several attempts.



Looking down the route again



Portions of the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes, backdropped by mountains of the British Military Group







Nearby mounts Foch (left) and Sarrail (centre), and distant Mount King George at the right



Heading up the ridge. The terrain quickly becomes quite challenging. Some of the difficulties can by bypassed on the left side.



Pocaterra Ridge is suddenly looking very low



The view to the east showcases almost everything in the Highwood area



Congrats to that snow for hanging on into late July!



Elbow Lake makes an appearance



Massive Mount Rae



Closing in on the summit. Note the seasonal tarn in the centre. Later in the year it usually dries up completely.



Grizzly Ridge and Highwood Peaks in the middle; Storm and Mist Mountains in the background.



The ridge over to Tyrwhitt is super cool but traversing it twice, to and from Tyrwhitt is quite exhausting



Many of the above



Fixated on that ridge again



Descending and looking back at a couple of scramblers on the ridge



Intriguing colours



Almost back at the point where I gained the ridge


    
Arrived and ready to descend to the valley



Almost down



Amazing colours with the clearest skies of the day



Here comes Greenville - population ME!



















Leaving Greenville















Regrettably leaving this sublime area



Parting look at the Ridge and the Mountain



Super cool layers of rock on Grizzly Ridge

The End

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