Mount Rowe IX

Mount Rowe IX

January 24, 2025

Mountain height: 2464 m
Elevation gain: 820 m
Ascent time: 3:15
Descent time: 1:35

Solo snowshoe.

The plan for the day was a quick ascent of Rowe East – my new favourite snowshoe trip in Waterton. However, after following a good trail up Mount Rowe for a fair distance, going to the summit of the higher peak (now my second favourite trip!) seemed to be the better choice.

While cloudy conditions were forecast, there were enough sunny breaks to provide a few good views. By the time I reached the summit, however, all bets were off and in rolled the clouds. I stayed at the top for less than two minutes before making a hasty retreat.

Unfortunately, the descent was bit of a bust. Good snow conditions allowed me to glissade a decent portion of the route on previous trips. However, alternating sections of rock hard, icy snow and mid-thigh deep powder would not permit any fast travel for this day. What in the past took an hour, took an hour and a half - I guess you can't win them all!

As always, a terrific workout on a great route.

Rowe East and Rowe East Minor at the far right

Mount Rowe getting some full Sunlight

Even in the trees there are decent views towards Cameron Lake

Tree shadows are always a good thing

Went up Rowe East along the rock band in the centre 9 months earlier

Surprisingly, the bad weather rolled in from the east, not the west

Better view of Cameron Lake

Mounts Kintla and Kinnerly peek over Akamina Ridge

Cloudy and clear

First treeless view of the lake

Finally above Rowe East, at the right

Buchanan Ridge (left) and Mount Carthew (right)

Above the steep terrain, there is more gentle slopes to the summit ridge, although there are a few small but steep steps to negotiate

We tried to scramble up that rock band at the right but failed, on our first ascent of Rowe in 2006

I call the low peak in the centre Bennett Pass Peak - it's low but worthwhile

Kintla and Kinnerly again

On the summit ridge

Looking down to the frozen Rowe Lakes

Summit cairn

The weather is closing in now in all directions

Mandatory photo of Long Knife Peak

Also of Mount Peabody

Lineham and the Rowe Lakes

Heading down

The Buchanan Ridge massif has four major summits: Mount Carthew, Buchanan Ridge, The Senator, and Buchanan Northeast. Only Mount Carthew is official.

Gloomy look at the objective from near the parking lot

The End

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