Read’s Tower 

March 28, 2010

Ascent time:           3:00
Descent time:         1:15           

Solo snowshoe and scramble. 

Gillean Daffern describes Read’s Ridge as a “fantastic viewpoint” and she couldn’t be more right. Having completed similar trips on either side of Read’s Ridge (Red Ridge and Little Lougheed), and Read’s Ridge itself on the way to Mount Sparrowhawk, I wasn’t expecting this trip to be that exciting, but once out of the trees, the snowy views were terrific.

Aside from some brutal trail-breaking on the lower slopes, the ascent was pretty straightforward. The classic view of Read’s Tower, with Sparrowhawk higher above to the north, was splendid and worth every second of the trail-breaking drudgery. I then continued the trip to the summit of Read’s Tower, for an even better view. The weather held, although a system approaching from the west was soon going to change that. An effortless ascent ended a terrific day out.


The south end of Spray Lake; Mount Shark at the left


Mount Nestor


The classic view of Read's Tower and Mount Sparrowhawk


Snow scenery


The steep north side of Read's Tower


More of Read's Tower ridge and Sparrowhawk


Patterns in the snow


Same as above


The view of Spray Lake, Nestor, and Old Goat that you never get tired of


More patterns in the snow


Same as above


The summit cairn


Sparrowhawk again


Sparrowhawk and a cloud


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