Promised Land Peak


Gargantua Peak
 
September 1, 2025
 
Mountain heights:                              2552 m, 2520 m
Total elevation gain:                           1404 m (add another 200 m for Geoff)
Ascent time to Promised Lake Peak: 4:30
Traverse time to Gargantua Peak:      0:35
Descent time:                                     2:20
 
Scrambling with Brad, Dave, and Geoff.
 
I needed an excuse to return to The Promised Land area in Crowsnest Pass and Devan Peterson’s Facebook post for a duo of unofficial peaks, Promised Land and Gargantua, was it. I had convinced Geoff and JF to forgo ascents of the two in favour of Owl Mountain several weeks earlier. And so when the duo invited me to join them to attempt the duo (intentionally confusing and ambiguous) I jumped at the opportunity.  
 
We were excited to have Brad and Dave along for the ride also. A trip with my S.A.H. (Southern Alberta Homies) was long overdue. We all met at the Ptolemy Creek trailhead just after 8 am and were underway by 8:30. Unfortunately, JF couldn’t make it and so our quintet was reduced to a quartet.
 
The 5 km bike ride is not terribly difficult, but progress is slowed by multiple creek crossings and two steep hills that are near impossible to ride up. Even my e-bike vehemently refused to tackle the slippery, rocky terrain and I walked up too. 
 
Although Brad, Dave, and I were planning only to ascend the Promised Land duo, Geoff was also keen on hitting up Andy Good Peak first. We therefore took the Andy Good Basin trail, with the intention of returning via The Promised Land trail. 
 
Once started, I think we all had forgotten that the Andy Good Trail is surprisingly long with several steep sections. Luckily for the lackadaisical trio of our quartet, Mr. Speed's ambitions for a three-peak day allowed us to slow down our pace even more. By the time we arrived at the Andy Good/Promised Land col, Geoff was halfway up Andy Good. A long, relaxing food break at the col was quite welcome. 
 
We watched Geoff race up his objective, seemingly negotiating the crux with ease. And then he was at the summit and let out a huge holler. Well done! 
 
Knowing Geoff would catch up with us in no time, we left the col to get a head start on Promised Land Peak. Brad did some exploring around the Andy Good Plateau while Dave forged a route up the peak. 
 
I hung back a bit to wait for Geoff, but much sooner than later we were following Dave’s general route up towards the summit. Walking up the steep but frictiony slabs was one of the highlights of the ascent. 
 
The second highlight was a terrific summit panorama. Though far-reaching views were limited, those close by more than compensated. Two thirds of the (lazy) trio looked at Mount Parrish with pride, one probably being the only person in human history to have ascended Parrish twice. The other slug’s reaction to Parrish was something closer to PTSD and he quickly looked away! 
 
Brad’s summit consumptions (not to be confused with consummations!) quickly elevated themselves to “best highlight” status. Not only is Brad probably the only human to have summited Parrish twice, but I guarantee there are no summits in the world that have entertained an individual consuming a can of Bush’s baked beans directly from the can, smoking a pipe, and sipping whiskey! We were all engrossed, morbidly fascinated, and thoroughly entertained watching him.
 
 
Though it paled in entertainment value to Brad’s bizarre summit menu, the traverse to Gargantua boasted cool views down the precipitous north face as well as other fascinating scenes. We then ran over to a lower, nearby highpoint before returning to the summit for a quick snack break. This was also Brad’s second time on Gargantua, having ascended the minor peak 30 years earlier with his dad. 
 
On descent we were able to check out a few of the cave-like holes on the west side in The Promised Land area, but didn’t find any that we could explore. Getting back to the bikes seemed to take no time at all. We walked our bikes down the aforementioned hills and then enjoyed a much quicker return to the trailhead. 
 
Two super cool summits (three for Geoff), with three super cool dudes! Thanks to Devan for the idea, Geoff for the invitation, Dave for his level-headedness, and Brad for just being Brad!

Click HERE to see Dave's terrific report.


Gearing up at the trailhead (photo by Dave)



Brad leads the first of eight creek crossings (photo by Dave)



A little bike maintenance to keep the wheels from falling off (photo by Geoff)



One of the other creek creek crossings. The water level was very low for all of them (photo by Dave).



Stopping to check out the awesome north ridge of Mount Ptolemy, ascended by Dave and Brad



Brad pushes his bike (as we all did) up one of the two challenging hills (photo by Dave)



There are caves everywhere in the Crowsnest area



The end of the line for biking... (photo by Dave)



...and the start of the longish hike into the Andy Good Basin (photo by Dave)



Sometime later and out into the open valley



The Andy Good Peak/Promised Land Peak col is now visible just right of centre, but we have a ways to go (photo by Dave)



Looking back (photo by Geoff)



Great shot! Love the lighting on the bear grass at the lower left. And the col is much closer now (photo by Geoff).

Andy Good (left), Promised Land (centre), and Gargantua (right)



Interesting rock formation on Andy Good



The scenic tarn I visited on my second ascent of Andy Good Peak is looking depressingly low



Following a decent trail in the scree towards the col



The rock walls above us



Looking back again, with Chinook Peak featured (photo by Dave)



Dave and Brad approaching the col



Geoff is already a good distance up Andy Good Peak (photo by Dave)



Brad arrives at the col (photo by Dave)



The view at the col includes Sunglass Mountain, Peak 34, and Ptolemy SE5, all of which I would like to visit at some point (photo by Dave)



Geoff is above the crux of the ascent (photo by Dave)



  A much needed and appreciated food break at the col (photo by Dave)



Dave is always ready to Rock n' Roll



Brad and I leave the col (photo by Dave)



Promised Land Peak at the left, Andy Good at the right, and Chinook between them



Geoff's summit selfie from Andy Good Peak (photo by Geoff)



Geoff's view (photo by Geoff)



Meanwhile, Dave is well out in front now. You can go high or low on these slopes to get around to the Andy Good Plateau.



The southwest ridge of Andy Good Peak. Though not without its challenges, the route is preferable to the north ridge route I did in 2008 (photo by Dave).



Dave on the horizon



Better view of the upper and lower benches. I used the lower bench on that previous trip.



Some of the plateau (photo by Dave)



Brad points out the scary east side of Ptolemy



Dave continues up but will wait for us



Brad and I pose awkwardly (photo by Dave)



Dave and Brad don't look awkward here, but the day is young



Trying to spot Geoff, as he makes his way down Andy Good (photo by Dave)



There he is, negotiating the exposed crux



Brad heads out into the beautiful expanse of the Andy Good Plateau (photo by Dave)



I'll be preoccupied with this cool rock for a while



The rock and Promised Land Peak (PLP from hereon in)



Brad heads out solo to do some exploring



Back to the rock



The rock and the plateau



Dave is keen to get up PLP



Two other scramblers show up at the summit of Andy Good. They must have taken the north or east ridge routes.



Geoff has caught up to me in no time



Dave heads up the cool slabs on PLP (photo by Dave)



Dave's view of me and Geoff. Not sure if I slipped here or I simply have the most bizarre and freakish stride ever! (photo by Dave)



Dave has reached the summit and is enjoying the view already (photo by Dave)



Geoff and I start up the slabs (photo by Dave)



Brad heads up PLP, but via a different route (photo by Dave)



Close-up of one of the scariest mountains in the south - Mount Parrish (photo by Dave)



A far less scary mountain, but hardly an aesthetic ascent - Chinook Peak (photo by Dave)



The three peaks of Mount Coulthard . Dave is right - Coulthard looks like the head of a hippo from this angle (photo by Dave).



Sunglass Mountain and Peak 34 (photo by Dave)



Ptolemy SE5 is surpassed in height only by Mount Ptolemy, for peaks in this range (photo by Dave)



Scrubby Peak - tried but failed that one earlier in the year (photo by Dave)



The half dried-up tarn (photo by Dave)



Fun scrambling on the slabs (photo by Geoff)



Brad makes his way up from the other side (photo by Dave)



Geoff on the slabs



My view of Brad



Geoff and I finally appear on the summit ridge. Of course, Geoff has already climbed a separate mountain, so he has an excuse! (photo by Dave)



Dave waits patiently again



Andy Good has a very aesthetic appearance from PLP



Brad arrives (photo by Dave)



I'm still lagging behind (photo by Geoff)


Finally at the top. My summit panos:


















Guess I lied about being at the top!



Brad begins his bizarre summit ritual. First the canned beans... (photo by Dave)



...preparing his pipe, while Geoff and I try (in vain) to look away (photo by Dave)



Brad graciously shared his beans with all - a nice addition to my plain cream cheese sandwich



Hazy view of Crowsnest Mountain (photo by Dave)



Hazy view to the west



Close-up of the Coulthard's (also) scary west ridge



Leaving PLP and heading for Gargantua Peak (GP)



One of many impressive sights en route to GP (Geoff, as well as the vertical north face of PLP!) (photo by Dave)



Looking over the plateau from above



Brad leads the scenic traverse (photo by Dave)



Another terrific scene along the ridge (photo by Dave)



A rare Brad photo (photo by Brad)



Brad hits a minor highpoint along the ridge (photo by Dave)



I'm lagging behind again, but someone has to do it!



Cool shot of Brad and Ptolemy's daunting northeast face (photo by Geoff)



The view to the east continues to draw attention



The summit of GP (centre) is now within striking distance (photo by Dave)



Geoff takes in the vertiginous view to the north



The connecting ridge between Chinook and Parrish looks intriguing, however I imagine there are many unseen challenges that would require climbing gear



We are spreading out along the route



PLP and the eyes of the hippo (photo by Dave)



GP and Ptolemy



The lower highpoint of GP in the foreground



Both summits and Geoff



The ridge has several ups and downs, but none are severe (photo by Dave)



I'm on a down (photo by Dave)



Brad, Dave, and Geoff are on an up



Geoff and Dave



Looking back



Same as above



The gang is approaching the summit of GP



  I'll get there eventually (photo by Geoff)



Summit view to the west from Gargantua Peak (photo by Dave)



To the east (photo by Dave)



Down the vertiginous north side (photo by Dave)



The north end of Ptolemy's north ridge features several significant highpoints - Mummy Mountain and Anubis Peak are seen here (photo by Dave)



Yet another satisfying look at the peaks to the east



Clearly Geoff is enjoying the summit view



Leaving our packs at the summit of GP and heading down and over to the lower highpoint



Same as above (photo by Dave)



It's an easy hike to the top (photo by Dave)



Andy Good, PLP, and Brad (photo by Geoff)



Brad and Geoff at the top (photo by Dave)



Similar views from this summit to the real one, but enough differences to warrant some photo attention (photo by Dave)



Same as above (photo by Dave)



The day is no longer young! (photo by Geoff)



My turn for a lower summit pano



Returning to GP (photo by Dave)



Quick detour to see what's over the ridge... (photo by Dave)



...massive cliffs and a very pronounced trail in the scree below



Just a slog back up, but I for one was starting to tire here



Quick break atop GP (photo by Dave)



And the descent starts (photo by Dave)



Closer look at Ptolemy SE5. It's appears to be a consistently steep route. I believe Jonathan Alston has completed the ascent.



Geoff strolls down a slab (photo by Dave)



The troops are spread out again, as we approach the PLP/Ptolemy col



At the col and starting down the other side into The Promised Land



It's a relatively easy descent (photo by Dave)



Continuing down (photo by Dave)



Geoff climbs out of a small cave (photo by Dave)



Neat cloud over GP's summit



Cool rock window



Great shot of the west side of GP (photo by Dave)



Cleft Cave. That pronounced trail we saw earlier may lead to the cave entrance.



Geoff found all the cool spots (photo by Dave)



This one looked intriguing (photo by Dave)



Leaving GP behind (photo by Dave)



Looks like we could have walked through this one and out the other side (photo by Geoff)



Wouldn't want to misstep here



Close-up of Cleft Cave



This could be a very dangerous in the winter in snow hides the holes - not that many have the fortitude to make it all the way up to The Promised Land in the dead of winter (photo by Geoff).



The few rays the Sunlight make it into one of the caves



Another area where snow may hide the dangers (photo by Geoff)



This cave looked like it could be huge, but it wasn't



Back on the main trail. It's a fast hike back to the bikes from here (photo by Dave).

Less than 1 km from our wheels now (photo by Dave)



Great to be off our feet (photo by Dave)



Terrific long exposure shot along Ptolemy Creek (photo by Geoff)



At this point of the day, I was very happy to stand in the creek for a few minutes to cool off my feet (photo by Geoff)



The vehicles are a welcome sight at the end of an awesome day (photo by Dave)

The End

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