Prairie Bluff XVI
    


January 4, 2024
 
Mountain height: 2258 m
Elevation gain:    558 m
Ascent time:        2:30
Descent time:      0:55
 
Solo scramble.
 
Took a slight variation on previous route. At one point I tried to find a route up through the rock bands that guard the ridge, thinking there may be a weakness up a ramp. Fortunately, I came to my senses a short ways up and backed down. The route would have led to a dead-end and the terrain was starting to get quite serious.
 
Settled for another easy visit to Prairie Bluff’s main summit and back via the easiest route I could find.



The rock band I wanted to try and find a route up



Much easier terrain on the other side of the valley



This steep, lichen-covered rock is magnificent when the Sun shines upon it



Approaching a section where the steep rock gives way to slightly easier terrain



A few small frozen waterfalls are encountered en route, but nothing substantial enough to ice climb



A section of igneous rock is also encountered



Ice close-up



Burgundy argillite



...with lichen



Going up steeper terrain, hoping to find a ramp that leads with relative ease to the ridge



Back down at the base after bailing on the attempt



Still, there's lots of cool rock to enjoy from below



Looking back to the terrain I tried to ascend. Don't see the ramp I thought might be there.



Looking forward to the much easier terrain I will end up on



View back again



Traversing below another set of beautiful rock bands



Very colourful ones!



Same as above



Around a corner, the remainder of the route to the ridge is revealed



On the ridge, looking to the summit



Not the greatest weather to the southwest



...or the south



Obligatory photo of the summit stump and view to the north



Revisiting one of my favourite rock bands in the Rockies



Looking down some of the descent route



The rock band again. It demands clear skies and the Sun in the west.



Headed straight down the drainage between the two ridges for descent



Another section of ice and the reason you may not want to glissade this route when it is completely snow covered



Came right down the centre



Easy terrain lower down



The two ridges that I've come to enjoy repeatedly



Back at the start

The End

LOG