Tent Ridge IV






 
April 30, 2022
 
Mountain height: 2535 m
Elevation gain:    900 m
Round-trip time:  6 hours
 
Snowshoeing with Mark.
 
Although we hoped to try something more ambitious (Lougheed or Sparrowhawk), a forecasted breakdown in the weather before noon prompted us to downgrade – not that Tent Ridge is a downgrade from anything. The lowly mountain boasts one of the best views in Kananaskis and the north summit can be easily ascended in less than two hours.
 
Right off the bat, we agreed our decision to go with Tent Ridge was a good one. Both Lougheed and Sparrowhawk would have entailed multiple hours of Sun-less travel. However, within an hour of leaving the Tent Ridge trailhead, the Sun was upon us, lighting up the amazing scenery and views. In addition, the snowshoe trail from start to finish was well packed down and great to follow.
 
Upon entering the bowl below the north summit, we followed the snowshoe trail up the right side of the peak – big thanks to the individual who blazed this trail. Once on the ridge, an easy ascent to the north summit ensued. The first summit view, under clear skies, was expectedly magnificent – definitely a view that you never tire of and are always awe-struck by.
 
With time in abundance and still enjoying great weather, we set our sights on the true summit to the south. The traverse was generally easy, but increased a little in challenge towards the end. We traded snowshoes for crampons and ice axes here and I’m glad we did. Once again there existed a nice set of tracks to follow, but this time from an adolescent bear, who clearly also shared our love for this trip! More outstanding views awaited at the true summit.  
 
At this point, the weather had started to break down, clouds streaming in from the southeast. The transition period, however, granted us some terrific atmospheric views. For descent we decided to retrace our steps back to the north summit. Continuing along the horseshoe-shaped ridge, though tempting, might have ended up in a post-holing nightmare. Back at the north summit we took the east ridge (normal route) down. This is the safest route and offers excellent glissading opportunities.   
 
Awesome day out on an old favourite!   


First good view of the objective



Lots of snowshoe tracks to follow







The view to the northeast is already starting to open up



Following the tracks of the previous day's snowshoer



The grade steepens



Two skiers start their rapid descent down the east ridge/face



Last few steps to the ridge and the view really opens up



Didn't skimp on the colours today!



View to the north from the ridge



View to the southeast from the ridge



The skiers are making some nice turns



Close-up. Their "straight as an arrow" ascent track at the upper left.



Looking up to the north summit



A few cornices remain on the east side of the ridge



The minor false summit provides the first of many outstanding views to the southwest




A couple of old friends: Old Goat and Nestor



Spectacular Spray Lake and the mountains that surround it



Distant Mount Assiniboine above Mark



Final few hundred metres to the north summit



Mount Turbulent, just right of centre



Cone Mountain, just left of centre







Mounts Birdwood (left) and Smuts are going to dominate the view to the southwest from here on in



At the north summit looking south



Assiniboine



Mounts Fortune, "Fortulent", and Turbulent



Mark at the summit and the view to the north



Starting the great traverse to the south (true) summit



Birdwood again - lots of interesting memories from that one



We gave the cornice a wide berth



Birdwood towers over Tent Ridge and Mark



One of numerous ups and downs along the ridge



Still a ways to go. The traverse is longer than appearances dictate.







The Kananaskis range at the right features several terrific Kane scrambles, including Engadine (centre) and Galatea







No need to give the cornice a wide berth here because there is no cornice







Another down



Smuts continues to mesmerize



Bear tracks to the right of our snowshoe tracks



Looking over to the east summit of Tent Ridge - part of the horseshoe route



Still losing elevation!



Close-up of Smuts



Smuts and Shark Mountain, at the right, are connected by a long ridge



Mark follows the bear tracks down and around a minor rock band







A short, but steep  ascent back to the ridge



Mark regains the ridge



Admiring the cornice scenery



Still admiring



Looking back



Again, giving the cornices the respect they deserve



Following a natural line of snow upwards



Minutes away from the top



Mark gets there first



My final few steps to the summit



The view towards Birdwood and Smuts continues to be the highlight of the traverse







The Fist



Smuts



View to the north



View to the east



Pretty good place to hang out



Eon Mountain makes an auspicious appearance







Time to head back







The traverse back to the lower north summit actually feels more tiring than travel in the opposite direction because you lose all the elevation quickly, then gain most of it back very slowly







Did get a lichen-covered rock fix!



Same views but they is sooooo good!



Good camouflage



Shark Mountain in the background



Back at the north summit and the clouds are closing in



Nice cornice and Cone Mountain



Looking over to our ascent route



Descending the east ridge



Mark starts a long glissade



Our glissade track



The skier's turns are visible behind Mark



Interesting depiction of three different types of tracks from left to right: the skier's ascent tracks, our glissade tracks, and the skier's descent tracks



Parting look at the objective

The End

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