Powderface Ridge
November
26, 2011
Mountain
height: 2210 m
Elevation gain:
600 m
Ascent time:
3:00
Descent
time:
1:25
Solo
hike.
With
severe wind warnings in almost every quadrant of the Rockies,
Powderface Ridge
seemed like a good choice. 99% of the trip is in the trees and travel
stays on
the east side of the south ridge.
The
plan worked well, keeping me and several other hikers protected from
the strong
winds. 
Several scenic opportunities were afforded along the way: a lone
boulder
surrounded by cool snow patterns; another boulder, further on, covered
in
lichen; wind sculpted snow; atmospheric clouds over Mount Glasgow;
impressive
snow features near the ridge; and an outcrop of wonderfully colourful
rock.
As
luck would have it, I decided to divert to one of the highpoints to the
right
about halfway to the summit, to get a view of the peaks to the
southwest. At
the time I didn’t know it, but that diversion would allow a group of
four to
pass me and break trail all the way to the summit – good thing, as the
deep
snow and up and down terrain would not have allowed me much progress as
a solo
traveler.
At
the summit the wind was surprisingly gentle – certainly not the
predicted 90
km/h gusts. The view was very respectable, although I did far more
enjoy the
other aforementioned scenery.
An
easy descent brought to a close a very enjoyable trip.
A colourful sunrise
A brief break in the trees reveals the southern summit and long ridge of Nihahi Ridge
The first open section of the hike and the first, lone boulder
Trying to get artsy
The wind-produced patterns in the snow
More results of the wind
The first boulder
The first of two diversions; the second diversion is to the highpoint at the far right
The view to the southwest from the first diversion
Glasgow (left) and its northern outliers
Lone boulder #2
Lichen on the colourful rock
Yet more cool snow scenery, courtesy of the strong November winds
Moose Mountain
Clouds over Glasgow
Snow scenery on the leeward side of Powderface Ridge
Same as above
Same as above
Prairie Mountain
Looking back along the ridge
Prairie again
Looking back along the ridge again
On return, revisiting the impressive rock and snow scenery on the east side of the ridge
Same as above
A surprisingly colourful rock outcrop
Close-up of the rock
Same as above
Same as above
Same as above
Heading home
Looking back to the first diversion
Back to the first boulder
A last look before returning to the trees
