StonyCat
Ridge
December
8, 2018
Mountain
height: 2213 m
Elevation gain: 725 m
Ascent
time: 3:30
Descent
time:
1:25
Hiking/scrambling
with Raff and Nancy.
StonyCat Ridge is no Blue Mountain – however it did
come shockingly close in at least one section and turned out to be an
exceedingly enjoyable and easy trip overall – but then, perhaps it was just the company that made this such a good day!
Raff suggested this trip and I was pleasantly
surprised to find out that Raff’s girlfriend Nancy would be joining us for the
ascent. The ascent went exactly as described by several others, who had already
completed it – a terrific, easy-to-follow trail, pleasant scenery, and later on
excellent views to the west.
Highlights:
1.
The company: as usual it was great to catch up with
Raff on “mountain talk”, a subject that will never lose its cache! Chatting
with Nancy was likewise wonderfully engaging – a terrific and genuine
person.
2.
A wickedly colourful rock band on the west side of
the ridge. As stated, this small section gave Blue a good run for its
money.
3.
Wonderful views to the west of some old friends:
McPhail, Strachan, Armstrong, to mention a few.
4.
Cheesecake and Jägermeister at the summit to
celebrate Raff’s birthday! Nancy surprised us both by hauling up the
delicious
dessert, which we
devoured after singing Happy Birthday and downing
the Jäg!
5.
The fast and effortless descent.
The only lowlight was the summit, which is in the middle of an expansive stand of trees, and the fact that those
trees blocked the entire view to the east (it would have be nice of see Mount
Head). Raff and I ran up to the true summit to tag it, but the best views were
definitely at another highpoint just before the summit. Nancy stayed behind there
to prepare the birthday festivities. After some food, drink, and song we reluctantly
left the summit, as I had to be back in Calgary for another birthday party (my
nephew Rogan – of “Rogan Peak” fame!)
A wonderful trip with great people. Many thanks Raff
and Nancy!
Nancy and Raff near the beginning of the trip
We opted to skip visiting this minor highpoint, as time was of the essence
Raff and Nancy traverse the east side of Junction Hill, before we descend a short distance east and then go up StonyCat
StonyCat Ridge and the interesting section of rock
Close-up of the rock
Some colourful, lichen-covered rock on the lower slopes prepare us for the main attraction
Here it comes
Would have been a stiff scramble, but the rock band could have be ascended head-on in several places
Beautiful!
This ramp provided an excellent route to traverse under the rock
Not sure what the white stuff is, but it was cool!
Same as above
More fun ramp stuff
Atop the rock band looking south
There's some colourful stuff up here too!
Mount Muir (left) and Mount McPhail
The happy couple are enjoying the amazing weather and excellent scenery
Really green moss
The views to the west open up
Throw in some lichen covered rock for good measure
The best view of Mount Head occurred before the summit
The couple descend the only tricky part of the ascent
The west side of the ridge is rocky and scenic
Raff and Nancy ascend the terrific ridge to a couple of minor highpoints
There they are
Raff lingered at his highpoint for a minute (because I told him to, so I could get a photo!)
Mist Mountain to the north
The wonderful rock scenery never ends!
Almost at the highpoint
Raff reaches the subsidiary summit (the better one)
Raff leads the way to the true summit
Raff and Junction Hill at the right
Now that's a summit!!!
Fortunately, the completely treed summit is only a few metres away from this open view
The Birthday Boy returns to the other summit, unaware that a cheesecake is also there
Nancy cuts the cake. Of course the Jägermeister is close by!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAFF!
Mist Mountain
The aesthetic form of McPhail
Starting the easy descent
Back at the little scrambly part
All smiles as this great trip continues
Nancy and Raff descend the slope where the cool rock band sits
Parting look at StonyCat and Holy Cross Mountain
The End