Tent Ridge II 




February 2, 2013

Snowshoeing with Mark.

Our first attempt at a winter ascent of Tent Ridge ended when avalanche conditions were pretty suspect and the chosen route became steeper than expected. With more favourable conditions and great weather we returned to see if a different route would yield better results. It did!

The trip was outstanding from beginning to end. We picked the centre rib as an ascent route and it worked beautifully, minimizing avalanche risk (although, of course, there is always some avalanche risk on this mountain), and providing magnificent scenery. The views from the summit were stupendous! Even at a lowly elevation of about 2500 m, Tent Ridge is easily one of the best viewpoints in Kananaskis.

We walked a short distance towards the true summit to the south, but completing the traverse would have required more time than we had and the wind was vicious. Instead we settled for long summit stay (on the leeward side) and then a relaxing and effortless descent. 

A brilliant day out!


Tent Ridge. The route we took went up the ridge on the left




Views of 3 Kane scrambles, mounts Buller, Engadine and The Tower, appear early on



Moving into avalanche terrain



The face in front is prime avalanche terrain



Old friends: Old Goat Mountain (left) and Mount Nestor



Even at this low elevation, the view is fantastic



Mark heads up the ridge



The ridge gets steeper



A glimpse of the soon-to-be magnificent view to the south



Where's the snow?!



Approaching the summit



At the top, looking south



...with Mark




Snow sculpture on the ridge





Admiring the view



Getting out of the wind, on the east side of the peak



Heading down



Weird stuff happening at the left!

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